I grew up thinking women could do anything. Until second grade, sexism was completely unfamiliar. When I first heard a boy in my class say I couldn’t play a game, “because you’re a girl,” I was introduced to prejudice I never knew existed.
My family happens to be a majority of women. My mother had strong relationships with many people, so I knew a life with many strong female figures. My aunts, grandmothers, friends, teachers, babysitters — and even my pediatrician — were women. It was hard for me to understand the concept of women being incapable of something, because the women I grew up around were nothing short of incredible.
They were powerful in every sense. My mother kept me in line, my aunts were loving and full of personality, and my grandmothers were stern, yet wise. Together, they created a community filled with laughter, joy, and mounds of good food. I watched these women manage their families and careers, all while having a strong sense of their own identity.
I lived in my own bubble where matriarchy was the norm. Yes, I had many great men around me, but as a little girl, I genuinely believed women were the bosses. If anyone ever asked me who was in charge at home, the immediate response was always the same —“Mommy.”
Now that I’ve grown up and can recognize the biases in the real world, I’ve realized how rare my upbringing was. My family never taught me about limitations; instead, they taught me what it means to be capable of greatness.
The self-doubt I’ve experienced never came from home. It was all from the outside world.
If I eventually have a child, I want to model womanhood in the same way. My child will grow up seeing the capabilities of myself, my mother, my sisters and my friends. To the current and future mothers who are raising children — especially little girls — there is no better way to show your child how to be unstoppable than to be unstoppable yourself.
I almost find it funny to hear someone tell women what they can and cannot do. If only they knew the women in my life and countless others around the world who continue to show leadership, resilience, strength and love every single day.
Never think you can tell me what I cannot do, because I watched the women in my life do it.
Trust me, if they can do it, so can I.