I Am A Woman. What's Your Superpower?

I’ve never really thought about what it means to be a woman.  I’ve always defined myself by my likes, dislikes, strengths, weaknesses, hopes and dreams.  More recently I have realized how privileged I’ve been.  I’ve never had to think about my strengths and accomplishments as strengths and accomplishments in spite of my womanhood.  Growing up both of my parents raised and encouraged me to be a strong and independent person, period.  I was always pushed to achieve my greatest potential in school, sports, and life in general.  I was surrounded by love, encouragement, and room to make mistakes and learn from them. 

Unfortunately this is not the reality for most women.  Many times we are told that we “can’t” because we are women.  We’re told we shouldn’t like this or we shouldn’t wear that simply because it’s not what a woman should so.  Girls stop participating in sports at such young ages these days because they feel like they aren’t good enough.  There are so many campaigns shaming literally EVERY body type which in turn is just shaming being a woman in general, but no one actually realizes that.  There are millions of girls around the world who don’t get to go to school, who don’t get to read and write or know the vast opportunities the world holds for them.  They don’t get to hope or dream for more. 

I was lucky enough to have a family full of men and women who have supported my hopes and dreams.  However I was also surrounded by a part of society that silenced feminist voices and was surrounded by the words feminism and feminist used as negative terms or not even used at all.  This was so subconsciously engrained in me that I would have thoughts and opinions that were clearly feminist in definition but would tell people that I wasn’t a feminist and refused to use that as a defining term.  Feminists were looked at as radicals, man-haters, extreme liberals, etc.   In reality a feminist is someone who believes that women and men should have equal rights and opportunities.  Clearly there is a whole other conversation to be had about this topic but my point is that there are radical sides to every belief and those should not be used as definition.

Now, I would proudly say that I am indeed a feminist.  I want to see the young girls throughout the world to grow up and define themselves not by their sex or gender but by who they are as a person, because that is what women are, PEOPLE!  I want them to be strong and confident, lifted up by others and lifting each other up.

Two weeks ago I spent four days in the forest hiking the Congo Nile Divide Trail with four incredible women.  According to our guide, we were the first all women group to do that particular hike.  Together the four of us showed the men guiding us that we indeed were strong women women capable of anything.  It was full of ups and downs physically and mentally but such an amazing trip being able to disconnect, see a new part of Rwanda and spend time with great people.   

On Saturday I was so lucky to be a part of an amazing event here in Rwanda.  Three incredible Peace Corps Volunteers organized the “Let Girls Ride” event in celebration of International Women’s Day.  Peace Corps Volunteers, members of The Women’s Bakery, and the Professional Women riders from the Rwandan Bike team road 70 km from Byumba to Kigali making stops along the way to teach about gender equality and the importance/\ and benefits of women riding bikes.  Here in Rwanda it is extremely uncommon to see a woman riding a bike.  It’s traditionally thought that women shouldn’t ride bikes for reasons such as the belief that it means they are no longer a virgin.  In general it is uncommon for women to want to participate in sports. Gender stereotypes are very strongly engrained in society and are slowly being broken down.  With our group of mainly women we were able to be examples to the women and men lining the street as we rode by that “Abakobwa Barashoboye” Girls Can! 

Everyone who participated and attended the lessons have their own take away.  What I realized is, this is what I do every time I go on my run through my village, or play soccer with the school kids, or even back when I’d surprise the guys in the weight room with how much I could lift.  I’ve been lucky enough to exercise, participate in sports, and simply do the things I love with nothing but support from my friends and family.  I truly believe that that is what has shaped me into the person I am today, still growing but hardworking, driven, and always striving for more.   I plan to take the momentum gained from this amazing event and continue to show girls here in Rwanda, back in America, or wherever they may be, that they CAN. 

I’m constantly inspired by women all over the world.  I am thankful for the opportunity to empower women. I am proud to be a woman.