Since the biblical ages, women have always been the side kicks in everything. From Adam and Eve, to standing on the sidelines while men get praised for things that couldn't have been completed without a woman. Not until recently have women spread their wings and fought for their rights for empowerment. The modern American feminist movement started in 1848. To begin with, the Women's Movement was created by social activist groups who took part in protests such as the Abolition of Slavery, the Social Purity and Temperance movements. Women are pretty much badasses who are trying to improve the world we live in. So why not give them the respect and credit they deserve?

Have you ever heard of the pink tax? If you have good for you; if not it's okay, I hadn't heard of the term either till a couple months ago. According to US News, the pink tax refers to the extra amount women are charged for certain products or services. Things like dry cleaning, personal care products and vehicle maintenance. Especially when men are charged at a lower rate for the SAME product. You may be thinking: but it doesn't look the same. Let me tell you something, it's the same thing, same ingredients just different packaging. Women are charged at least $1,300 more a year on products than men are, which isn't fair when women are the main consumers. It sucks because not only do women make less than men, they pay more for products too?! It's ridiculous especially when we as women are seen as the weaker sex. We're always being put down, especially on social media.

The media shapes everything. We all live on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter; basically our cell phones. It's sad because our thoughts, opinions, and values are heavily shaped around that. And frankly, the media treats women like shit. It gives them this image that they aren't good enough and they never will be. Especially when you're scrolling down your feed and see beautiful women like Kylie Jenner and Kim Kardashian looking lavish, and you look at yourself and you're, like, well I'm ugly. And the fact that these women have turned to botox and lip fillers to enhance their beauty because they didn't think they looked good enough the way they were doesn't make it any better. It sends out a message that not only shows that beautiful, successful women like themselves can feel like they aren't good enough for the people or themselves, so they fall into the temptation of plastic surgery because they can. In order to appear younger, and have their beauty enhanced more and to eliminate their flaws. In reality it's not a bad example, it's just an example that women who seem confident aren't. The media hounds them harder than regular women who aren't celebrities. They transform them with plastic surgery and photoshop to make them look like goddesses that really isn't normal and isn't real. The media convinces them and us as women looking and admiring them that they aren't beautiful, that they aren't good enough, that we aren't beautiful, and we aren't good enough. When in reality, we as women are beautiful and the media shouldn't change your opinion about yourself. All those flaws are what make you unique, and different. We are strong, because we can bear children, and we can do what a man can in heels (well at least some women can, I know I can't).

Let's boycott the pink tax and let's fight for this movement so we can be equal and we can finally feel comfortable in our skin.

Lett's empower each other and help each other and grow as individuals and love each other, because we are resilient and we are strong and we are confident and we can do anything we can set our mind to.

Let's recognize we're beautiful, as the first step to success. No matter the color of our skin, our hair, our background, our body size, or our makeup.

Shout out to Anne, Crystal, Kayla, Lici, and Alyssa for walking by and letting me photograph you 😃