Let’s face it: both women and men are terrified of the word “Feminism” as if it’s a disease. Why? It is something that has become increasingly relevant on college campuses around the nation. Look around in the media and you’ll inevitably find pieces of it circulating throughout. Emma Watson just delivered a killer speech on feminism to some of the world’s most important people. Beyoncé wrote a powerful song explicitly addressing feminism. So again, what is it about this word that frightens everyone? So woman to woman: it’s time to be honest.
Recently, my incredibly talented brother graduated from middle school. I had already been home from my first year away at school for about a month, giving me ample time to reflect on my experiences here on the hill. After the ceremony ended, families and friends mingled in the stuffy gymnasium reminiscing, chatting, and just catching up. Amidst the celebration, my parents and I ran into one of my brother’s friend’s dads. I had grown up knowing him and the other kids in the family as we were all fairly close in age. He inevitably asked me how I liked school, what I was studying, and how my first year had gone. Nothing was out of the ordinary until he reacted to my response to his questions. He made a remark about how college is fine and good, but as long as I find a rich husband, I should be all set. I think my jaw hit the gym floor. Did he really say that out loud? And to a young, passionate college student? For some reason, his comment stuck with me for days after we left the hustle, bustle, and excitement of the post-grad celebrations. After thinking about it over and over again, I became more and more puzzled. Not for one second throughout high school did I envision college as a prerequisite for marriage. There was no way that I was going to slog through four hard years of studying, self-exploration, and life changing experiences to simply marry myself off upon graduation…
The funny thing about this whole ordeal was the impact that just one small sentence had on my view of the world. I made it my personal mission to go back to school and work harder than ever before to prove that I, as a woman, am completely capable of doing great things with my life. I have the capacity to pursue my passions. Don’t get me wrong, none of this means I won’t ever get married, it just means that I’m not going to school TO get married. Just to be clear, there is absolutely nothing wrong with getting married but, for me, that’s not why I’m here at college. I’m going to school because I want to be here, learn more, and strive to be successful. I don’t dislike guys – some of my best friends are guys. I haven’t stopped shaving my armpits or anything like that (and if that’s your thing, by all means “do you”). Being a feminist doesn’t have to be about all of that – as with all things in life, it is completely what you make of it.
So again, woman to woman: it’s time to be honest. We should seek out greatness and always strive for more. We need to support each other, talk about our hopes and dreams, and help each other achieve them. We’re all on the hill together for a reason – we are a bunch of bright, innovative, and smart women. We have the power to do some really awesome stuff. Don’t let anyone, man or woman, tell you that you can’t do something or follow your dreams and passions. You are the director of your own life and you can take yourself in any direction you want. Feminism isn’t scary and it shouldn’t send people running for the hills – it can be incredibly empowering. So stand tall, find what you love, and get after it because you’re so much more than a commodity waiting for shipping.