I am Woman.

I am a woman.

I stand with other women. I support other women. I believe in women.

I believe that a woman has a right to her own body. A right to make her own choices about how she lives her life. A right to be anything she wants to be and to be able to do that thing as equally as a man would be able to.

Some people draw back in disgust at the word feminist. It's not a bad word. It doesn't mean that you hate men. It's a word that holds the belief that women are and should be treated as intellectual and social equals to men. You don't have to be a woman to be a feminist. You just have to believe that all people are entitled to freedom, liberty and basic human rights no matter what gender, sexual orientation, skin color, ethnicity, religion, culture or lifestyle.

I was so inspired yesterday seeing the images and watching videos of all of the marches going on all over the world, in all 7 continents! They weren't just fighting for women...they were fighting for everyone. And those who are up in arms about the marchers being "whiners", well then that just shows how privileged you are. You are lucky enough to not have to worry about the injustices that many people face on a daily basis.

Now, I know that I am a straight, white, middle-class woman who lives a fairly privileged life and who has been given access to many opportunities. I was raised in a two-parent household. I went to college. Life has been easy for me, relatively.

However, as a woman, I have had countless experiences where I have felt uncomfortable, objectified, verbally and physically abused and afraid.

I am not alone in this.

I know that we could all share stories of times where we were made to feel less than, just because we are women .

Seeing these marches around the world full of men, women and children exercising their first amendment rights inspires me. People just want their voices to be heard. For someone to say, I hear you, I understand how you feel, let me help make this better for you.

Well I hear you. I understand. I want to help. It makes me want to be a better human. It makes me want to step up and stand together with others and fight for what we believe in. To fight for what is fair and right. As human beings, we should ALL be fighting, marching, raising our voices in solidarity and support of all people.

I think Eleanor Roosevelt said it best when she said, "Well behaved women, rarely make history"

So yes, I am a feminist.

I believe in women rights because I believe in human rights.