To the strong women in my life,

First of all, thank you. I would not be half the person I am today without you. I don't know who or where I would be if I didn't have the guidance of fearless, headstrong, and compassionate women like yourselves in my life.

From my mother to my teachers to my friends, I have been lucky enough to be blessed with so many strong women in every corner of my life who have raised me, supported me, and shown me what it means to be a woman.

When I was younger I didn't understand that girls were somehow worth less than boys. There were examples of sexism all around me, but I didn't recognize that these social systems I thought of as "normal" were anything but; systems such as the idea that "fighting like a girl" is always an insult, never a compliment. Systems that exist to raise women as submissive, weak, insecure, and inferior. Systems that excuse sexual assault against women because "boys will be boys" and "she must have been asking for it."

The women who I'm surrounded by have taught me that these systems of sexism and gendered oppression are not normal -- and we don't have to be complicit with them.

All around me, the women in my life are breaking glass ceilings and giving the finger to society's expectations of what a woman "should" be. A woman's place is at home? Tell that to my friend running her own business and traveling the world at 25 years old. Women don't belong in STEM? Tell that to my friend getting her degree in biomedical engineering. I know women who are sensitive and nurturing, women who are fierce and outspoken, women who excel in their personal lives, women who excel in their work lives, and women who balance it all. There is no "standard woman," because all of them kick ass daily.

None of the women in my life are standard or average -- you are all exceptional and uniquely successful. You inspire me every day to work hard, take no shit, love who I am, and hold my chin up high no matter what life throws at me. People will tear me down, try to take advantage of me, and treat me as less than human for the simple fact that I am a woman -- that's how prejudice works. But thankfully, I have you all to thank for showing me what strength and perseverance look like in the face of these challenges.

Thank you for teaching me that my thoughts and ideas have value, that I am capable and deserving of success, and that my worth is not measured by my body. Thank you for teaching me to fight for those whose voices are silenced. You have all taught me what it really means to "fight like a girl" -- fighting with passion, humility, courage, confidence, and resilience.

So here's to the strong women who keep this world turning. Women of color, trans women, gay women, Muslim women, Sikh women, disabled women -- all women. We are all better together. Thank you for giving me the strength each day to keep fighting.

With love,

Casey