I had never considered the concepts of the words feminist and feminism until I started working on my bachelor’s degree, and encountered two literature teachers who changed my point of view. I never grasped the meaning of the words until I became a part of a movement (the natural hair movement), and formed a sisterhood with other women. Am I a feminist? Yes. Am I pro women empowerment? Yes. However, I wasn’t always aware that I was. To put it simply, I always had a voice, but until I met those literature teachers, I was afraid to tap into it. I was afraid to use it, and speak up for myself and other women.

The word feminism is thrown around so much in the media today that a person would think it was a fad, instead of a symbol of a woman’s power and strength. There have been strides in the world regarding women since the concept of feminism began taking over: Women are owners of businesses and mothers as well as valued members of society. Yet, there have also been setbacks in the world regarding women following feminism’s introduction to the world. Women are only paid 78 cents to every man’s dollar on their jobs, they’re mostly objectified as sexual objects, and most of the time they aren’t covered for maternal leave and birth control insurance through their jobs. It’s time for a change.

I’m not a radical feminist, but I’ll always stand up for the causes of feminism and women empowerment. To support, encourage, and empower a young woman is to empower a nation. Once women are empowered, they empower others. Feminism and women empowerment is building up other women, supporting them, and encouraging them. Feminity is strength. There’s something special and refreshing about groups of women coming together to love and lift one another up, which too often isn’t the case in today’s society and times. Am I anti-male because I’m a feminist? No. Will I not support the building up of men’s confidences and self-esteem’s because I support the empowerment of women? No. Not only am I my brother’s keeper, but I am my sister’s as well. I am my mother, sister, aunt, best friend, cousin, and grandmother. I am a nurturer, comforter, teacher, healer, scholar, and truth-seeker. I never knew or understood just why I was a feminist until a few years ago. I’m a feminist.That fact and knowledge gives me the confidence and power to help other women, and myself.