This post goes out to all the ladies in my life.
As the first semester of senior year is about to end, a lot
of us are struggling to finish strong. With futures looming before us, we’ve
had a lot of sleepless nights and caffeine-filled days dedicated to job
interviews, grad school applications, group projects, part-time jobs, breakups,
makeups, celebrations, and mental health days. We’ve laughed until our sides
hurt and cried into our pillows. We’ve been angry and frustrated and fed up
with it all. And through it all, we’ve been together.
It’s hard to figure out what you want to be. It’s taken me
almost four years and I’m still not 100% sure it’ll stick. But it’s a lot
harder to figure out who you want to
be.
There are women in my life who are passionate activists, who
fight tooth and nail for a better world. I am inspired (and occasionally a
little scared) by them.
There are women in my life who wear their hearts on their
sleeves, who feel deeply and express themselves in beautiful and terrible ways.
I envy them.
There are women in my life who are fearlessly independent,
who will go to new places and face challenges without batting an eye. I look up
to them.
There are women in my life who are honest and loyal, who are
always up for a chat and will tell you what you need to hear (even when you
don’t want to hear it). I am thankful for them.
The best thing about being a woman is the camaraderie you
have with all the other women in the world. We support each other, build one
another up, laugh, cry, defend, protect. We do silly things and sometimes make
mistakes. We are human. And together, we are fierce.
Knowing the women I know has helped shape the person I am
and the person I want to be. They have helped me realize that I am an activist
and an artist, an adventurer and a friend. And when I’m not those things, I
know there are women out there who can be them for me.
Thanks to my girls for all you’ve taught me this semester. I
cried while I wrote this. And I'm kind of proud of that.
