Like A Girl

"Is like a girl a good thing?" is a question the interviewer asks the subjects of this video. Part of womanhood in today's climate is fighting against the ingrained notion that somehow being a woman is inferior to being a man. That doing things "like a girl" is an insult insinuating weakness and fragility. But society's conception of "like a girl" is vastly different than the reality of what womanhood and girlhood look like.
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjJQBjWYDTs

"Journey"

Everyone woman goes through a process of discovering what it means to them to be a woman and then striving to become that. There isn't just one species of butterflies; and there isn't just one species of woman. There isn't a mold of womanhood, creating a beautiful variety of women, just like the wing patterns of a butterfly.

source: michaels.com

This journey to authentic womanhood becomes difficult when we are bombarded by the ideals our culture places upon us. Our magazines bombard us with images of women as sex symbols and tag lines for articles about how to be better in bed, get you summer body, and why he's not into you. We are surrounded by the message that we only exist as an object to be objectified by others.


Source: https://hoochiewoman.wordpress.com/2013/10/30/down-with-cosmo/

From a young age girls are indoctrinated with the idea that their worth and value is dependent on physical appearance. While the girls' life magazine doesn't yet show the overt sexualization that is ever present in women's magazine, it implies that girls' accomplishments pale in comparison to what they look like. The boys' life magazine is a start contrast in showing that what we think boys should be aiming for.

Source: https://www.mprnews.org/story/2016/09/23/books-girls-life-vs-boys-life-magazine-comparison

"Handle with Care"
Artist rorablue created this series of images that explore the sexist comments that have affected her and other women. Several of these images edisplay the idea that women only exist in their relationship to other people, whether that's in the way men view you, as a mother, a wife, a homemaker, etc. Women struggle to establish an identity that does not rely on their relationship to someone, but just purely as a human being living their authentic life.

Source: "Handle With Care" by Rora Blue

Being a woman today means dealing with the realities of gender violence, like sexual assault. Rape culture exists, in that a woman's actions, past sexual history, or mental state are brought into question after a sexual assault in a way to make her responsibility for the violence committed against her. No amount of promiscuity or "provocative" is invitation for unwanted sexual activity.

Source: http://theblvckcool.tumblr.com/image/152287712368

After Senator Elizabeth Warren was silenced and shut down in the Jeff Sessions debate in February of 2017 by Major Leader Mitch McConnell, he said of the situaiton, "She was warned. she was given an explanation. Nevertheless, she persisted." The quote became a rallying cry for women throughout history who did not back down to the "warnings" they were given. Just as Senator Warren persisted, women of today are persisting in their fight to be recognized and accepted for their authentic selves that don't conform to the expectations placed on womanhood.

Source: "Nevertheless, She Persisted" by Courtney Privett

Wolf and  Woman. Are the two mutually exclusive? Does being a ferocious and strong mean you aren't a woman? No. Ferocity is a hallmark of womanhood, because of the strength it takes to live confidently in a society that is telling you that you should be otherwise. It a society that ingrains in you the need to apologize for you strength and firmness, where leadership and strength is characterized as "bossy." Women are navigating ways to "stop apoligising for their wild."


Source: https://www.instagram.com/p/BKKEOUlB0Nt/

“I grew up with all mothers, all women. I come from a long line of matriarchs, very strong women.” -Erykah Badu

Being a woman requires strength. Strength to be who you want to be, even when everything is working against you. Being able to establish an identity that is your's and not dependent on what society things womanhood should look like. 

Source: http://moodboard.streetetiquette.com/post/89899260934/theblackamericanprincess-i-grew-up-with-all

Mary Wollstonecraft was an English writer and advocate for women's rights. This quote encapsulates the essence of feminist and authentic womanhood, which is that woman aren't fighting for the power over men but in a society were have been subservient to men, the ultimate goal is to become equals. With that equality comes the right for women to govern themselves and their lives in a way that they see fit.

Source: http://traitspourtraits.tumblr.com/post/151205906424/i-dont-wish-women-to-have-power-over-men-but

"There is no limit to what we, as women, can acccomlish." Michelle Obama is someone I look to as an examples for being able to be a powerful entity of her own, without bringing down those around her to do it. Her husband was one of the most powerful people in the world and she did not operate in his shadow. She was advocate herself for things she believed in and by many as not just the First Lady of the United States, but an individual capable of tremendous impact and good.

Source: T Magazine - T Greats Issue

Maya Angelou's words in "Still I Rise" capture the essence of what being a woman is to me. Despite the criticism and the negativity, women continually rise to the challenge and work towards the ultimately goal of having the freedom to live their self-determined authentic lives, however different from the mold of womanhood they may be. Because that's what being a woman it. 

Source: Maya Angelou - "Still I Rise" 

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