I am a feminist. WHOO. 

Phew. That felt good to get off my chest especially with all of the connotations that come along with bearing that title, most notably a woman with hairy armpits, lack of deodorant, straggly hair, no bra, voted most likely to live in a tree and have the word “b*tch” tattooed on my face. 

You can see my picture at the top of this article- I am quite the opposite.  Blonde hair, sorority girl with smooth armpits, expensive perfume, blown-out hair, Victoria Secret bombshell bra, voted most likely to succeed and have the b*tch face down to a science. 

Ironically, that picture was taken at a formal and 6/8 of those assumptions were true of that day.  On any other day, you can find me with relatively smooth armpits (depending if it’s the weekend or not), deodorant because I sweat like a man, blown out hair since the top of my jeep is typically off, Victoria Secret bra that I’ve worn since 8th grade and a b*tchiness that will accompany a lack of a full night’s sleep. 

Feminist. Are any of those three descriptions of the same person typical of what a feminist looks like?  Sometimes, but usually no.  You’re probably a feminist and don’t even realize it.  Do you support equal rights? Check. That’s the bases of requirements for holding the title of a feminist.  Now in practice, the different theories of this specific corner of equal rights are endless, and that’s where the stereotypes come from.  Kind of how the divide between Republicans and Democrats automatically associates the typical image of a person supporting either side with a look. 

Just from an economic standpoint, advocating women’s rights is the single most beneficial tactic in economic growth. In numbers, almost half of the world’s population is prevented from being a contributing member of society.  HALF.  

There are a plethora of combinations that inhibit far more than just half of the world, of which are evident to even the most privy to wealth but for the sake of this article, I’m going to stick with the women in the world.  Reasons why women have not been granted the same rights as men go back before the vowels and consonants that make up the word f-e-m-i-n-i-s-m existed.  Reasons that are such in today’s world are created more so by societal standards set rather than systems in place for survival.  You could argue that a divide is still necessary for survival- which it is for roughly 85% of the world.  

Honestly, the fact that over half of the world is underdeveloped is a greater issue than just focusing on feminism.  But like I said a paragraph back, the most influential factor in economic growth is diversifying the work force- AKA granting women rights to work.  Now hold up Gracie, working isn’t the same everywhere as it is in the US- you know, like not working in a sweat shop.  

The crazy thing is though, that no one should be granted the ‘right’ to work in a sweat shop- again, a whole other issue of our world that I couldn’t even begin to tackle in so few words.  So, let’s go back to what identifies a feminist. Beyonce flashing it at her VMA performance? Oprah being one of the richest people in the world?  Lena Dunham going full nude on Girls?  Disney’s Pocahontas defying her father?  Me, writing an article on the subject? Playing off of that last identification of what it means to be this dirty word, it’s supporting the ability of doing what you want- when and how you want to, without anyone telling you, “Hey! You can’t do that because of…” Because of what? Because of nothing, that’s what.  

This is applicable to everyone.  As one of my friends so eloquently put it, “Feminism doesn’t exclude motherhood, it doesn’t exclude men, feminism IS inclusion, for everyone. Male OR female.” And as we’ve seen in current United Nations news, Emma Watson has launched to start of #HeforShe- men advocating women in this movement to break down barriers, because let’s face it. While men do still face challenges of becoming who they want, their obstacles are not what women’s are, and that’s a fact.  It is inarguable to say that women, as a whole- regardless of geographic region, culture, religion, or sexual orientation are faced with overcoming more, if not harsher gender inequalities than men globally are up against. These paragraphs are only scratching the surface of issues that the world is facing.  

Considering these global issues though, women play one the largest factors in bettering life as a whole.  We are the counter-parts to men, the balancing forces to our equals. 

Without our input, life is all 'out of whack'. How you choose to become a part of the balancing act of the world, is totally up to you- male or female: AND that is what this whole ‘feminism’ thing is about.