Recently, a staff writer for The Odyssey at Baylor posted an article entitled Why I'm Not a Feminist. Different from most condemnations of feminism, the author focused on why women should submit to their husbands after stating in a sentence that feminists "[take] certain issues to the extreme." Husbands are to be breadwinners and heads of households and wives are to be their cheerleaders. While I would never condemn another woman for wanting to submit to her husband as that is her own business and much of feminism is about allowing women to lead lives free of condemnation for making their own choices, I would like to speak to why feminism is important and why I will always identify as a feminist.

I am a feminist because equal pay for equal work shouldn't still be debated (please don't tell me the pay gap doesn't exist-- here it is by occupation).

I am a feminist because when my sister who is a third year medical student walks into a patient's room, they almost invariably think she is their nurse.

I am a feminist because it is by the very movement condemned in the aforementioned piece that allows me (or the author for that matter) to go to college at all, better yet without paying a dime. It is why I can read and write and why I can go to law school when I graduate college without many people batting an eye.

I am a feminist because I want to empower younger women to pursue higher education and success independent from the success of their future spouses.

I am a feminist because women currently only make up less than 20% of congress and because we have yet to see our first female president.

I am a feminist because I believe that men can be caregivers and that neither spouse need be a "head of household," and further, that men should be given greater consideration in custody battles.

I am a feminist because more women die from domestic violence than people do in war.

I am a feminist because women at the mass level are represented in our media as ornaments for men.

I am a feminist because women at the elite level are represented in our media as either "nuts" or "sluts."

I am a feminist because the most demeaning thing you can call a man is a woman, whether directly ("don't be such a girl") or indirectly ("you're being such a little b****," "don't be such a p****.")

I am a feminist because our female politicians are criticized more for their choice of hair accessories or fast food than they are given issue space.

I am a feminist because our society loves to watch women tear each other down instead of helping one another.

I am a feminist because I believe that women should be able to decide under what circumstances they get married or have children or if they want to at all.

I am a feminist because it is not at odds with my religion or my intention to someday become a mother. In fact, I hope to raise my own feminist sons and daughters.

I am a feminist because I believe that gender is a social construct and I recognize that two cisgendered people in a heterosexual marriage is not the only kind of relationship that matters.

And yes, I am a feminist because I refuse to submit to anyone, better yet my future husband. I grew up with a female breadwinner. My dad stayed at home and made my peanut butter and jelly sandwiches while my mom worked tirelessly as a pharmacist to provide for my sisters and me. I do not feel any worse for the wear.

So, at the end of the day, girls and women can write their thought pieces on why they are not feminists. They have the very same movement to thank for their right to vote, to go to college, and to pursue the lives they want to lead. You're welcome.