So what does this actually look like in the real world? Feminism comes in many different shapes and forms. A feminist could be the woman that advocates for her own life. The one who goes ahead and gets up and lives her life the way she wants to. She does this against the odds, sometimes having to fight against her culture, religion, patriarchy, military, media, or family. She is the one who decides that she has a right to live according to her own plans, as the poet Mary Oliver says: “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” They don’t talk, they do. They are.
The equestrian woman, bold and strong.
The policewomen protecting the streets of NYC.
The woman who rocks!
The bride who chooses when and whom to marry.
The female doctor.
The female actress.
The woman who runs. In the mud.
Women in the military.
The woman riding the Harley.
The female writer and author.
While the popular image of feminism is women like Gloria Stienem, who blaze trails in history, don’t forget to look around at the women that are going ahead and walking the walk. Emma Watson, the young actress of Harry Potter fame, recently gave a moving speech at the UN about feminism. Here’s a quote: “When… at 15, my girlfriends started dropping out of their beloved sports teams, because they didn’t want to appear ‘muscle-y,’ when at 18, my male friends were unable to express their feelings, I decided that I was a feminist. And this seems uncomplicated to me. But my recent research has shown me that feminism has become an unpopular word.” What Watson speaks about, millions of women are living and breathing: the right to choose their lives. Feminism advocates need us to live our lives the way we desire it, and to help other women in our lives do the same. They are atthe podiums but so are the women in these images. The images of these women and other women in many other choices of their lives can inspire you to see what the result of feminism is and can be for the entire world. Featured photo credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/mara_earthlight/4000994423/ via flickr.com
