March 8 is a very special day that deserves way more recognition than it gets. It’s International Women’s Day, arguably one of my  favorite holidays. 

International Women’s Day was created in 1910 by Clara Zetkin who offered the idea that there should be a worldwide day to support women. It is celebrated internationally in order to pay credit for all the economic, social, political and cultural achievements of past and future women. The day was initially adopted by the socialist movement and some communist countries, but was made official in 1967 when it was adopted by the feminist movement. 

This day stands for different things all over the world, for some it’s a celebration, a day for protest, and others it means nothing at all. I personally think this is something that schools everywhere should be addressing and celebrating. 

All I’m saying is that if we learn that John J. Pershing was the commander of the American Expeditionary Forces in WWI, why can’t we learn that Malala Yousafzai was nearly assassinated at the young age of 15 due to her fighting for educational rights for young girls. She was shot in the head, survived, and was awarded The Nobel Peace Prize at age 17 for making sure all girls were given the chance to go to school.

Not to diss on anyone specific here, but one of the biggest things I hear on this day is from white males who say, “why don’t we get a day where we are celebrated.” Um, hello, you are quite literally the reason women used to have zero rights and why people were enslaved. Like, not cool bro. Not saying all men are bad, and all that happened years ago, but I’m just saying fellas, let’s not let history repeat itself. 

A common misconception about feminism and feminists is that they hate all men. While I’m sure some do, not all do. According to the all knowing Google, feminism is “the advocacy of women’s rights on the basis of the equality of the sexes.” Feminism is about equality, it literally says it right there in the definition, it’s not about killing all men or putting them in their place, it is simply about being treated and benefited the same as men. And if you are a male, you could be thinking “if I call myself a feminist it makes me look weak.” Well listen here, I’m gonna need you to put all that toxic masculinity in your back pocket and realize you wouldn’t be here without a woman and it’s okay to be thankful for that. You’re going to be more appealing to the ladies if you appreciate and respect them a little more, just trying to help a brother out here… 

Something that you’ve probably seen all over the place is three simple words, “smash. the. patriarchy.” What is the patriarchy you might ask?” A system of society or government in which men hold the power and women are largely excluded from it.” Countless issues held in politics right now are about women, about women’s bodies… shouldn’t there be women there to put forth input? They are quite literally a primary source in this situation. They are as credible as it gets. The queen Ruth Bader Ginsburg said it best, “Women belong in all places where decisions are being made. It shouldn’t be that women are the exception.”

I am very fortunate to be raised by very intelligent women for my entire life, my Aunt Kris has got to be one of the strongest people I’ve ever met, she always pounded persistence and toughness into my head, one of the reasons I’m so bullheaded to this day. My Aunt Jennifer, who I strive to be in life, is a literal girlboss. She orders men around and calls them out when they are slacking off, she’s absolutely loaded and she is one of the most caring people I know; she’d drop everything to help someone she loved. Even my Grandpa Alvin, he always told me I could do anything I set my mind to and one day I would be a force to be reckoned with, some could say I’ve made it, but there’s much more left in me. Lastly, my momma. The original queen, girl boss, feminist that brought me into this world. What a lady she is. For all my life she has been telling me, “RaeAnn, boys are overrated and you can do anything they can and you’ll do it much, much better.” My mom has had a large hand in all the ideologies that run around in my brain. She doesn’t stand for things she knows are wrong, she’s logical, loving, and absolutely sensational. She is everything I strive to be in life. I love you momma, you’re a queen, never forget that;)

So yes, I’m a feminist, I was before I even knew what that meant. I will spend all my future days preaching the good word of women and smashing the patriarchy one piece at a time. Happy International Women’s day to all you women out there. White, black, gay, straight, moms, aunts, sisters, daughters, you are capable of much more than you thought possible, break that sexist barrier. Go be a girl boss.