I am a Feminist

I am a feminist and I am a mother. I believe in equity for people of all genders and raising my sons to value kindness and respect for all people. I believe in a woman’s right to choose how they want to live their life without the influence of the patriarchy. The patriarchy is where men hold the power and are the main decision makers and women’s voices are mostly silenced. We live in a patriarchal society. It is slowly getting more equal, but there are still SO many expectations put on people identifying as women. Have a career. Be a mother. You’re selfish for wanting a career. You’re lazy for staying home with your kids.

It’s all BS. All while fitting into a size 0, wearing heels, and serving a hot dinner to your family every night.

Being a feminist means:. 
Standing up for equity. It means people of all genders have equal rights and opportunities. It means we are not judged by our gender, color of our skin, or clothing size. It means humans are humans and love is love. Owning your own truth, standing tall in your beliefs, and continually learning and doing better. These are my goals. This is what being a feminist means to me.

Bye bye Patriarchy

Diet culture is the worshipping of thinness, attaching moral superiority to a smaller body. Our society is deeply engrained in diet culture. Diet culture has its roots in the patriarchy and its goal is to keep women small, contained, and unheard. What would happen if we stepped into our power as females? What if we stood up and said we are enough exactly as we are? We do not need to fit into one box. We are more than our bodies.

The world would change.. Women have been oppressed for far too long. Standing up to diet culture not only means accepting our bodies for the beautiful, life-giving creations that they are, but also knowing that you are valuable and worthy exactly as you are. That our bodies do not define us and we can focus that attention else wear. 

True beauty of the power of a woman

It is time we learn to love and accept ourselves entirely, wholeheartedly, and unapologetically. 

Photography by Sierra_selene_

Loving our bodies is not a feeling. It is an action.  What is my body asking for in this moment? Recognizing, listening, and honoring those needs is what love for your body truly looks like.

Article credit : Julie Allen. CEO, Mary Rose NW Boutique. Founder, Mary Rose Foundation. Author and Eating Disorder Awareness Activist