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This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at UFL chapter.

Some people say you officially become a woman when the crimson wave pays you a visit for the first time while others say it’s when you lose your virginity, but are these womanly occurrences the be all to end all to womanhood?

History has shown that women are pretty powerful individuals, but this doesn’t mean that we haven’t suffered and endured to get where we are today. The question is: have we made any progress at all? As a woman, it kind of sucks that, for the majority of our lives, we’ve had to prove ourselves with everything we do, whether it be playing a sport, competing against a man for a job or even getting a new style. Why do women feel like we always need to prove something? Are we trying to prove that we’re good enough to receive the same salary as men or smart enough to get into the same schools as men or maybe not even competing with men at all and competing within ourselves? In the past, the hierarchy of womanhood ran on how well you cooked a meatloaf and how fast you could fold your husband’s clothes, but, thankfully, we are much more now. We have come a long way from the cookie-cutter housewife persona that the world once labeled us to be. Women are soldiers, doctors, journalists and even computer coders now in 2017. The progress that we have made in this short amount of time only shows a glimpse of what females can do. However, even in the year 2017, women still face an uphill battle, but here a few things to remind you why being a woman in 2017 is badass.

1). We’re taking a stand

On January 21st of this year, hundreds of thousands of protesters took to the streets in cities across the world to show solidarity for a Washington D.C. protest dubbed as the “Women’s March.” This march was after President Donald Trump was inaugurated into office, and the sizes of the women crowds was a message in itself.

2). We’re less focused on size and more focused on strength

Dieting has no longer become a chore but a lifestyle. Women are less focused on the numbers on the scale and more focused on how we physically feel. Kudos to women for changing the idealization on working out and losing weight.

3. We don’t need significant others

Women have and still are seen as damsels in distress that need to be saved by men, but you show them that you’re no Princess Fiona…you are Queen Elsa! Women have become less reliant on men and more satisfied with their own company. It’s important to love oneself before sending all your love to give to someone else.

Now embrace your inner Rosie the Riveter, and get stuff done ladies!

Photo Credit: Giphy.com