Over the course of my life being female has been both an absolute blessing and one of the most horrific curses known to mankind. In today's society it's tragically beautiful being a girl. There are some who still look at females as the lesser of the two sexes, and then there are others who truly view everyone the same; regardless of what is between their legs.

To me, being a woman means that I can go to the bar by myself and order a beer, but that doesn't mean I won't be hit on every chance some drunk stumbles my way. I can sit there and politely make conversation, but when I refuse a drink from that particular person I'm a tease. I'm a whore. I'm a slut who just comes into bars looking to lead on this poor, defenseless specimen. When I walk into that bar I'm not looking forward to an ice cold brew after a long day at work. I'm looking to pester some guy with a superiority complex because I'm a female, and that's what it means to be female.

To me, being a woman means when I talk about sex and how much I enjoy it I'm considered disgraceful. I'm slut-shamed. I'm talked to like I'm not able to make sound decisions regarding my own body. At 16 I decided that I wanted to have a sexual relationship with my long-term boyfriend, and because I had made that decision someone assumed I hadn't had a proper role model to talk to about sex when the fact of the matter was that I had. I was taught that my body was MY body. My decisions regarding my body were ones that only I could make. That doesn't necessarily mean that my parents condoned a sexual relationship while I was in high school, but it DOES mean that my parents knew that only I could make the right decision for myself.

To me, being a woman means I'm not allowed to choose whether or not I'd like to have kids. Not truly, I mean. For example, I have a friend who has 3 children and is barely 23 years old. Her children were planned by her and her husband, but because of her age she is not allowed to have a tubal ligation or a hysterectomy because she "might change her mind". Regardless of the fact that she is married with children it isn't allowed for her to make the choice of sterilizing herself. Because she's a woman. Men, however, are able to get a vasectomy when they choose. I mean, sure, doctors may be hesitant to perform a male sterilization, but that doesn't mean they absolutely won't do it. Because they're a man.

To me, being a woman means that catcalls are normal. Crude language, it's normal. Intentionally parking close to the door of an establishment at night, it's normal. Making sure I have my pepper spray in my hand as I'm walking to my car in the grocery store parking lot, that's normal. To me, being a woman is living in constant fear. Not just of assault, but of the choices I make being misconstrued or degraded. To me, being a woman is never being taken seriously.

But...being a woman is beautiful as well.

Being a woman means fighting against all odds so that women's voices will not be muted. Being a woman means having the strength and sheer determination to push forward and make our worth known. Being a woman means I will not surrender to men because my ancestors gave up too much for us to lose now. I am a woman. Being a woman means I am a warrior because all of the hardships mentioned above make me fight. Those hardships are everything I stand against. I am a warrior fighting for women's rights and women's equality. Some may disagree with me along the way, but I will never give up the fight because I am a woman. Hear me roar.

"I am woman, hear me roar
In numbers too big to ignore
And I know too much to go back an' pretend
'Cause I've heard it all before
And I've been down there on the floor
No one's ever gonna keep me down again

Oh yes, I am wise
But it's wisdom born of pain
Yes, I've paid the price
But look how much I gained
If I have to, I can do anything
I am strong
(Strong)
I am invincible
(Invincible)
I am woman

You can bend but never break me
'Cause it only serves to make me
More determined to achieve my final goal
And I come back even stronger
Not a novice any longer
'Cause you've deepened the conviction in my soul

Oh yes, I am wise
But it's wisdom born of pain
Yes, I've paid the price
But look how much I gained
If I have to, I can do anything
I am strong
(Strong)
I am invincible
(Invincible)
I am woman

I am woman watch me grow
See me standing toe to toe
As I spread my lovin' arms across the land
But I'm still an embryo
With a long, long way to go
Until I make my brother understand

Oh yes, I am wise
But it's wisdom born of pain
Yes, I've paid the price
But look how much I gained
If I have to, I can face anything
I am strong
(Strong)
I am invincible
(Invincible)
I am woman

I am woman
I am invincible
I am strong
I am woman
I am invincible
I am strong
I am woman"