I am a woman.

It's how I was born.

It's how I identify.

It's part of who I am.

But some people in this world

Think that they can punish me

Because of an "F" on a birth certificate.

They think they can shave 30 cents

Off my dollar

For the same amount of work.

They think they can harrass me,

Ridicule me,

Assault me,

Because I have breasts.

They think they can hide

Behind their double standards,

"So if we're equal I can hit you, right?"

The ones that only keep them

With the upper hand.

This is why,

As a woman in this world,

I need feminism.

It is my sword,

My shield,

My fighting chance

To get ahead

And be taken seriously.

It is the one defense I have

Against the bigots and rapists

Who think they can walk all over me

And leave their dirty, entitled footprints

On my heart.

Without it,

I would have no hope for the future,

No light in the darkness,

Leading me to a time

Where I can stand just as tall

As any man.

And until that time comes,

I will wear my feminism

As a badge upon my soul

For all to see

And all to know

That I am a woman

And I will not be silent.