They always told us girls in elementary school that the world was full of opportunities. "You could be the President one day, or even a doctor or a lawyer, or anything you want," teachers would tell us. We were wide-eyed and brightly smiling tiny minds, bustling with excitement about our potential. In that moment, we didn't know it but we felt untouchable--invincible. We had primitive ideas of what growing up meant, most of which were learned from playing house with Fisher Price kitchens and toy sets.

Us girls originally found our recess hangout spot at the monkey bars, separate from the boys' seemingly rough games and adventures-- that is until we decided we too wanted to take part. We were first to the kickball field every day, and some boys welcomed our presence with open arms. Others taunted us for being too "weak" or "bad" at the game. And of course, some of the most demeaning words were said on that sacred playing ground: "Hey, you kick like a girl!" was shouted at us, and even some boys.

Guess what, boys? I kick like a girl because I am a girl. I also walk like a girl, talk like a girl...need I continue? And there is nothing delicate or weak about that. We are not your flowers to be stepped on or picked at. We are equally as capable of everything as you are, and we all have every right to find equal success. Society, of course, disagrees. The success of women is always undermined. That is why we are still paid 80 cents to every man's dollar, even if we can do his job better than he can. Am I happy about that? Of course not, but that doesn't mean I can't still find my own success that is specific to my life. We girls are a force to be reckoned with, and a strong one at that.

Today, we witness girls being objectified firsthand every day, and what is saddening is that a lot of these girls just take it. They don't do anything about it even though it hurts them more than they can possibly say. The words carelessly thrown are never appropriate to describe the girl they are weighed upon. In that situation, I think there are two major options: take the insensitivity, or prove them wrong.

We should be encouraging girls everywhere to prove them wrong. We should encourage them to focus and work hard, and to find the passion that sets their soul on fire. Once we spark that fire, there is nothing they cannot do. And of course, we need to be prime examples of this ourselves--we can tell young girls that they can do anything, but what if we show them? We need to prove to girls that hard work and determination can make us just as successful as any man, if not more. Instead of worrying about how successful the people surrounding us are, we need to take our own success and run with it. Think of a swimmer in a slight first-place lead and focusing on their own performance, while the second place swimmer is constantly looking over to see what the leader is doing. You can achieve your personal best when you work and advocate for yourself.

Girls and women of all ages, how can you be that example to your fellow ladies?

Be that uplifting and encouraging presence.

Be kind and successful; nobody ever said we couldn't have both. You could be the President, or a doctor, or a lawyer...

You could be anything.