There was one point in my life where I didn't identify as a feminist.

Although most of my personal creed is now aimed at female empowerment, because of deeply rooted misconceptions, *cue patriarchal media image of unfashionably-dressed woman burning expensive Victoria's Secret bra* as a high school freshman I thought I didn't meet the criteria.

After all, I sorta liked when a boy paid for my food on a date, I liked wearing heels, I took pride in how well I moisturized my legs. To be a "true" feminist, I thought that you had to, one, be a privileged white girl and, two, forsake my "girly" behavior. Needless to say, freshman year was a dark part of my life.

I'd always been raised to value my strength as a woman, but I thought that as a cis girl who loved lip gloss, stylish dresses and matching earrings, me being a feminist would also be me being a hypocrite.

It took a revelation to realize that everything I was (and am) is feminist. I didn't have to renounce my "stereotypical girl" behavior in order to gain respect. In fact, I learned to embrace it. I learned that from "Totally Spies."

Whether your favorite was Sam, Clover, or Alex, (my personal favorite was Sam--okay yes, she was a dash pretentious, but so lovable all the same), watching this show empowered you as a woman. These were high school girls who had obnoxious frenemies and bullies, went crazy over boys, regularly used the words like "bestie" and "totes," had slumber parties, and procrastinated doing their homework--and they were spies. Totally Spies.

"On a mission undercover

And we're in control.

Here we go."

Their part-time jobs were literally to preserve the security of the union; they were also deeply involved in international affairs. Why? I'm not sure. (My roommate thinks maybe they had relatives who were high-security spies and died on a mission or something, but if you have any alternate theories please comment).

Adolescent females are oft-shunned for fulfilling stereotypes. In fact, many of the same women who claim to be feminists make fun of other women who they see as naive conformists. We are labeled "Clueless" (which, admittedly, is a fantastic film) and accused of being preoccupied with hair and clothes, more than with global affairs. Perhaps that is true to an extent; call me vain, but I care more about my hair than Trump's.

Sam, Clover and Alex--all basic as hell just like you and me--were more accomplished than any so-called "strong, lead male secret agent" character Tom Cruise has ever played.

Clover was boy-crazy, but could manipulate any lackey into compliance. Alex was spacey, but could beat a grown man twice her size to a pulp. Sam was awkward, but could out-smart any evil-genius. They literally saved the world, and still made time to go the mall.

Plotholes aside (I mean, how much are they getting paid? How were they always transported from school? Did they miss classes? Were they excused absences? Do they need parental permission? Who the hell is Jerry?), "Totally Spies" was probably one of the best shows for girls growing up (besides "PowerPuff Girls"). Sure, it had some problems with hegemonic masculinity (as most shows do), but it made me feel like I could do anything. It assures me that I can still do anything,

They demonstrated all the girly frivolities the patriarchy taught us to devalue. The worried about the shoes they were going to wear to prom, they obsessed over super petty drama (like when Mandy kept stealing Clover's outfit ideas - scandalous), they reworked entire schedules to get their nails done--but they regularly saved lives. In skintight fashionable spyware (that was by no means practical), they kicked literal ass.

As trivial as it may seem, that's what got me to finally identify myself as the feminist. I guess I alway was. That's also what allows me and my roommate to rewatch the entire series with little to no guilt. Yes, I conform to a lot of conventional beauty standards, but that does not make me any less of a feminist. So I will continue to wear lipstick and heels. I will talk loudly about my celebrity crushes (a young Leo DiCaprio still has my heart). I will gossip. I will cry. I will sing Katy Perry. Loudly. And I won't allow anyone--anyone--to shame me for it. Try me.

I may not have compowder, laser lipstick, ice queen perfume, cherry lip bomb, or an eyelash curler catapult--but I can still kick your ass. Just listen to the theme song.

*note: "Totally Spies" is on Netflix. Use with self-control.