Home > Insight

Recipe for empowerment
By Jennifer Lucas
jlucas6@mscd.edu

A woman does not need to be hairy, sloppy or makeup-free to be a feminist. We come in many different types.

I do not think women should put up with male chauvinism, physically or emotionally. I believe women should control their own bodies and they should be able to have legal abortions if they so choose. And I can’t stand the anti-abortion rallies that are held on campus every year. I also do not believe women need to be married with kids to have fulfillment in life. But I never really considered myself to be a feminist.

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary’s definitions of feminism are “1: The theory of the political, economic and social equality of the sexes 2: organized activity on behalf of women’s rights and interests.”

If these are dictionary definitions of feminism, then I guess I am a feminist. I believe in the equality of the sexes. I also participate in activities on behalf of women’s rights. However, I don’t think women need to give up the little things that make women more like ladies.

On my boyfriend’s birthday, I was on the phone with him and told him I would be over soon, birthday cake in hand. He seemed surprised I had time to bake a cake.

“There’s always time to bake a cake,” I replied.

This incident made me think. There are many little things I do and say that may seem demeaning to hardcore feminists.

Whether it’s taking 15 minutes out of my day to put on makeup, taking half an hour to do my hair, trying on three different outfits before deciding on the one I want to wear or shaving my legs and armpits on a regular basis, I do these things and feel no feminist shame.

I don’t do these things to please men. I don’t feel I am demeaning myself by doing them. I do them because I like to feel pretty. I do them for myself.

I like that my boyfriend appreciates it when I dress up when we go out, but I don’t always do it for him. This does not make me a pushover. It does not mean that I am controlled by men or what they think of me. It also does not mean I am not a feminist.

I have a job now. When I graduate I plan to have a better job and support myself. I don’t need a man to take care of me, but that does not mean I don’t like it sometimes.

So to all you women out there: It is OK to put on makeup, bake a cake, and dress to the nines once in a while. You can still be a feminist.