Feminism is often seen as stigmatized.

I didn’t always consider myself a feminist. I wasn’t sure what feminism was in it’s entirety until my mind matured, and I began to understand what it truly represents. My immature mind and lack of knowledge led me to believe that being a feminist equated to being bossy or a man-hater. Which is absurd, I’m not bossy, and I love my manly husband.

It’s about helping women see their strengths, develop self-confidence, and become well-rounded, independent leaders.

Hilary Clinton once said, “I hope that people will not be afraid to say I’m a feminist, that doesn’t mean you hate men, it doesn’t mean you want to separate the world, so you’re not a part of ordinary life — that’s not what it means at all! It just means that we believe that women have the same rights as men.

A look back

I was young, fresh out of college and finding my way in the world. I had it all “together and figured out.” I was ready to take on the world with confidence, and I had the attitude of a fearless feminist. I was determined to let the world know that I was an upcoming young professional woman of color, who embraced her self-worth.

But the truth is, I haven’t always believed in my self-worth, and I’ve been fearful. After all, feminism is about valuing yourself and getting the world to value you too. But how could I expect the world to recognize my worth when I didn’t recognize it myself. Was I being phony and a hypocrite for “claiming” to believe my self-worth? I choose to believe it was neither — I was young and still finding my way. 

Present day

Since then, I’ve learned to give myself grace. Quickly approaching 40-years-old, I never want to feel unworthy, dismissed, or undervalued as a woman.

I believe that being a feminist is a personal belief, and people incorporate it differently in their everyday lives. I also believe that it can be a controversial topic, but I’m not blogging to debate about the battle of the sexes. I’m blogging to express what being a feminist means to me, and the positivity that it radiates.

I am a feminist because I believe in uplifting women and empowering them.

I am a feminist because I believe every woman has a voice and a story to tell.

I am a feminist because I want to be an active voice for women when they feel like they’re being silenced.

I am a feminist because I have a daughter, and I want to teach her that she’s strong and she can do anything she sets her mind to.

I am a feminist because I want to be an advocate for positive change and promote women’s equal rights.

I am a feminist because I want to stand up for the right things in life.

In the words of Queen Bey, the global pop culture icon, “The old lessons of submissiveness and fragility made us victims. Woman are so much more than that. You can be a businesswoman, a mother, an artist, and a feminist — whatever you want to be —  and still be a sexual being. It’s not mutually exclusive.”

And Oprah Winfrey agrees too. A bona fide trailblazer and feminist, she’s contributed to feminism by opening the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls — a specialized school that empowers young girls and gives them the education they need to succeed in life.

As a feminist, that is the kind of empowerment and value that resonates with me.

I view feminism as helping others (performing good deeds) that benefit humanity. It’s about equality, and I think most would agree that’s a good thing.

I’m thankful for the opportunities to create positive change in the world.