I can have career ambitions, pursue higher education, and not feel guilty about spending so much time in school.

I can go into my desired field and find that there are both men and women, that positions of power are not dominated by one, that everyone feels comfortable and respected and valued.

I can be a wife and a mother someday and I don’t have to feel guilty about wanting that.

I can do what I want with my body: I can let it sleep eight hours a night, I can work out three or four times a week, I can eat “right”. I can have chocolate every single day. I can indulge in good food. I can take everything in moderation. (Except chocolate.)

I can wear pants and running shoes and hoodies.

I can wear dresses and skirts and heels.

I can enjoy shopping.

I can take time off to travel, by myself or with others. I can travel without feeling limited or unsafe.

I can enjoy being a slob on the couch.

I can cut my hair really short or grow it out.

I can wear makeup or go without.

I can walk home without my mom asking me to text her when I’ve left work, arrived at the bus station, when the bus has left the station, when I’ve gotten off the bus, when I’ve arrived home from the bus stop.

I can choose to go on birth control, or have an abortion, if I ever needed to.

I can leave parts of my body hairy.

I can have a say in my relationship, and my feelings will be recognized (both in the relationship and outside of it) as valid if I ever have concerns.

I can be heard.

I can be respected.

Feminism means that I don’t have to be afraid of having a voice, opinions, and desires, that I can trust that what I say will be heard and–although not necessarily listened to–my voice will be respected. Feminism means that I’m free to be myself without stigma. Feminism means that I will not be limited by my gender or my sex.