What Being a Woman Should Mean
March 8, 2016
Today is International Women’s Day. For far longer than I’ve been on this earth, women have been valiantly fighting for equality, in all different forms, in many different ways.
(There’s a fantastic timeline of the history of this day here!)
It’s a day of celebration, reflection, advocacy, and action. As a woman, it’s a day I’m glad exists, if for nothing else than to shine a spotlight on the progress that’s made and to illuminate the areas where growth is still so desperately needed.
BEING A WOMAN IS A BEAUTIFUL, HARD, WONDERFUL, MESSY THING.
There is much that I love about being female, and there is much that frustrates me. I’m sure the same can be said about being male, but I can’t speak from experience.
I don’t even know how to accurately sum up all the nuances of living as a woman in this world. I don’t know how to describe to you how sickening it is to know that so many beautiful little girls are sold into slavery to be used for sex. I don’t know how to make you understand how demeaning it is to be yelled at and harassed by men in cars when I walk down the street to leave my office.
I don’t know how to tell you how frustrating it is that there are things I’m not allowed to do merely because I am female, as if my physical make up somehow disqualifies me from activities or opportunities. I don’t know how to tell you about the many, many layers of pressure I feel to act and perform a certain way in my life merely because I’m a woman.
I don’t know how to make it clear to people around me that just because I am a woman does not mean I automatically want to be a wife or a mother or a stay-at-home parent, and that I can be just as much a woman without any of those things. I don’t know how to make everyone understand that we women are diverse and brilliant and talented and capable and brave and mighty, and that we cannot and most definitely should not be pigeonholed or stereotyped because of our gender.
I don’t know how to scream it loud enough that we are allowed to be here too, that we need to be here too, that we have so much to offer here too.
BEING A WOMAN IS A CHALLENGING, CONFUSING, WILD, COMPLEX THING.
Not every man treats women like this. Not every society treats women like this. There are many, many exceptions to these statements. But these statements are still overwhelmingly true for countless women in this country and around the world.
I AM A WOMAN.
THESE THINGS ARE ALL THINGS I HAVE EXPERIENCED.
It’s 2016.
We can be better.
Things can be better for women.
THIS IS WHAT BEING A WOMAN SHOULD LOOK LIKE:
A woman should be respected. Her body, her mind, her ideas, her dreams, her belongings, her heart, her soul, her spirit...all should be treated with the utmost respect.
“A woman should clothe herself with strength; the teaching of kindness should be on her tongue.”
— JOY (VIA FACEBOOK)
A woman should be brave.
A woman should be educated.
A woman should be safe.
“A woman should be confident. 100% confident in who God made them to be.”
— ANNIE (VIA TWITTER)
A woman should be heard. Her voice, even when it is quiet or nervous, is needed. Listen to what she has to say. Hear her when she speaks. Hear her even when she doesn’t speak, for she’s saying something even then.
“A woman should be empowered by God to be all that God has called her to be... to have confidence, wisdom, knowledge, guts, awareness... as well as compassion, gentleness, and all of the fruits of the Spirit.”
— B.J. (VIA FACEBOOK)
A woman should be treated equally. The playing field should be level. She should not be given things she do not deserve, but she should be able to work to earn the same things the men around her do. Let her work and her resumes and her actions and her experiences speak for themselves.
A woman should be independent.
A woman should be rooted.
A woman should be opinionated.
“A woman should be confident. Joyful. Respected. Encouraged to use the skills/gifts they possess.”
— HANNAH (VIA TWITTER)
A woman should be encouraged. Who she is, every ounce of her, has been lovingly and intentionally created. Do not stifle her. Do not silence her. Do not shut her out. Speak life into her. Speak affirmation into her. Speak encouragement over her instead of criticism.
A woman should be loving.
A woman should be courageous.
A woman should be humble.
“A woman should be fulfilling our unique role from God without comparing ourselves to men. We can do things they cannot and vice versa.”
— EMILEE (VIA TWITTER)
A woman should be challenged. Do not treat her like she is weak or unable. Give her room to grow, and gently push her to do so. Be her cheerleader. Be her mentor. Do not overpower her, but push her to rise to the occasion, to excel, to shatter comfort zones and accomplish great things.
“A woman should be free. At peace. “She laughs without fear of the future.””
— AMY (VIA TWITTER)
A woman should be held accountable.
A woman should be loyal.
A woman should be empowered.
“A woman should be unapologetically self-assured. Fearless in challenging the status quo. Independent and unashamedly so. Selfless for selflessness’ sake— meaning, yes, submitting to men out of selfless love...but not because she’s ‘supposed to.’ Empowered by access to education, health, safety, and the autonomy to make her own decisions. Brazenly free to live in the fullness of who she is created to be.”
— VICTORIA (VIA TWITTER)
Be an advocate for women, no matter who you are. Celebrate the powerful, brave, beautiful women in your life and in the world around you. Be a voice for the women who are still fighting for justice and equality and freedom. Be a part of making this world a safe, strong, fair place of opportunity for men and women alike.