Why I call myself a feminist

A combination of many events in the world and in my life have confirmed that I am a feminist. Though I, like many women, still have a long way to go for for equal rights.

I love men, and I have a great dad but I spent too many years subconsciously letting society's view of women sway my own feelings of worth about myself. My need to be a nice girl, to be polite and loved, motivated me for way too long.

Watching strong and talented women like Gwyneth Paltrow (in Ironman) and Liv Tyler (in Hulk) do yet another girl-y role makes me ill. The fact that Hillary Clinton is accused of being a bitch because she's strong is absurd. The fact that at my former job I had to serve the CEO hand prepared lattes and plate his food while I was hired for an administrative position was revolting. When I asked if a man had ever been asked to do the same things, my male co-worker laughed and said "of course not."

No longer do society's biases, or any of my former loves hold sway over my life. I have wiped the slate clean.

And I am lucky to live in a country where I can make that choice. Where the shackles are, at this point, only in my own mind and choices. I have full ability to change my own attitude and path.

This song by Jewel says it all.