  The F word has become such a dirty word in our society. It is filled with stereotypes, derogatory remarks, and, in some cases, pure ignorance and hate. Now, I am not talking about THAT F word, I am talking about the word Feminist. Does anyone actually know what a feminist is?
Ask someone and their answers may include the term woman's libber, or a comment about burning bras, or even a comment questioning one's sexuality. They may believe that being a feminist means you are anti-marriage or anti-name change after marriage. They may believe that being a feminist means that you are men haters or belong to a different era. To some, it means intimidation. To others, it means weakness. I am a married woman, who took the last name of her husband, has three children, cooks dinner for her family, cooks for her family, and takes care of her family. I stay at home with my children, and for a time of four years, was always barefoot and pregnant. And I am a feminist. Feminism is believing in social, political, and economical equality for all sexes. Many of you reading this are probably feminist without knowing it. Some of you may hold bad feelings towards feminist, but have wives that hold this belief.
Feminism is just another example of something positive that has been spun by the media to gain the negative stereotypes that it has. So, the next time someone tells you that feminist hate men, ask them to name one. The next time someone tells you that feminist are the enemy of all women, ask them how, when all feminist really want is to be treated as an equal.
You will be surprised at how many individuals will not be able to answer you back. Be proud of being a woman. Be proud of being a feminist. Stand up for yourself and take back the dirty associations with the word, and show how it is a positive force striving for positive things. And raise your daughters to believe the same things. 
