Feminist or Confident?

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Attention all fellow Mormon girls: Can you be "feminist" and LDS simultaneously? I'm positive I'm no expert on...anything...but I started this blog to share my personal views, so I suppose it doesn't particularly matter what the rest of the world may say.

Perhaps you're familiar with Valerie Hudson Cassler-faithful wife, mother of 8, and valiant LDS mother. I'd heard her often quoted phrase "I am a Mormon because I am a Feminist", and I finally got around to reading her article on the site Fair Mormon. (Link: https://www.fairmormon.org/testimonies/scholars/valerie-hudson-cassler )

Cassler got me thinking, "What defines a feminist?" and "Do I consider myself a feminist?"

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The definition of a feminist is someone who supports feminism, so you really have to define feminism to get your answer.

Merriam-Webster's dictionary states:

Feminism | Fem·i·nism | \ ˈfe-mə-ˌni-zəm \ | noun

1: The theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes

2: Organized activity on behalf of women's rights and interests

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Does it say in there that I have to support abortion or Planned Parenthood? Does it suggest I'm required to be an advocate for Hillary Clinton or surround myself with articles from Vogue about sexuality? No, of course not. The presumptions that you initially think of when you hear the word "feminist" aren't the perfect recipe for a women. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions and beliefs, including those that focus on women's rights issues.

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I would call myself a "feminist of sorts." Perhaps a word to describe me would be "Confident." I believe there are absolutely situations in which women are stepped-on and forgotten. I am proud to say that women before me have fought for my rights to vote and do more than sit at home making tea and dusting. I'm proud to say that there are women who stay at home to take care of their children, and I'm proud to say that there are women who go to work and run companies and support their families. I personally believe women are divinely appointed by God to bear children, and that the gift of life is never to be taken lightly. I believe women are mothers. I support women who care for their children the best they can despite issues such as finances. I'm proud of women who desire to have children in a healthy marriage and who believe in the beauty of life. I'm grateful for women with virtue and standards. I'm grateful for women who accept their challenges such as disease, infertility, financial struggles, mental illness, etc. I'm grateful for women who accept their bodies and love them. I'm grateful for women who respect their bodies and treat them as a personal and sacred gift, and don't expose them. I am proud of women who understand what they are worth and that no one can take that away from them. I support women who support women. And you know what? I love all women who don't agree with my POV's absolutely equally to women who do. Because we are all fighting battles and waging wars. We are all here on Earth for a purpose, and we all need to stand together, LOVING one another, even if we believe completely opposite ideas. I'm proud to say that I am confident in who I am and what I believe. I am proud to say that no one can force me to throw away my beliefs. I am ME, and I love it! That's what I call being a "feminist." Loving yourself, loving others, and having faith in something greater than yourself.

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Thanks for reading. :) -Bryn.