Reproductive Rights

I'm not secretive about my feminism--in fact, I LOVE to talk about feminism, about the role of women in our world, about societal expectations of women, about slut-shaming, and most importantly, about the power of women.

I firmly believe that empowering women is an essential element of progress. Its easy for us as western women to feel disconnected from the struggles women face elsewhere--I'm not subject to genital mutilation. I can freely pursue my education. I have an avenue, however flawed it may be, to punish those who violate my body. Despite these options, there is still a lot that I don't have. Our bodies are stil legislated over, with decisions being made for us by governmental bodies which fail to represent us. Women's bodies are objectified, chopped, represented crudely, and are generally treated as the property of society as a whole; as topics available for conversation and judgment and scorn.

The rights I have over my body, my reproductive rights, matter to me. I think they matter for us all. I encourage you to keep standing up for them in whatever way you feel is right. If you're interested in taking an affirmative action, head on over here: http://www.drawtheline.org and sign your name. Its an issue that affects all women and all men who care about the women in their lives.

"please update me on your feelings"*

*a request from a friend that made me smile with its candor and simplicity. Good friends are everything.

As I sit surrounded by boxes, packaging tape, and the endless amount of junk I've managed to accumulate over the last four years, my feelings are, admittedly, scattered. It only takes one quick look around my apartment for me to feel relief that I am leaving it behind. Seeing my law school admissions papers gave me butterflies in my stomach--some out of fear--but mostly out of excitement at the brand new adventures that are waiting for me 300 miles away from here. I am so ready for a change-that I am sure of.

Theres sadness too though. Packing away the picture on my fridge of me and my friends, dressed in black and red and white at a football game, makes me miss them terribly. Closing a chapter is bittersweet, especially one that has been filled with so much growth and so many great memories. Even though I graduated three months ago (what the what? where did summer go?!), I'm just now coming to terms with the real end of things. When I get in my car tomorrow, that will be it. Bye bye for real.

Despite the nostalgia for these years and this town that is sure to take root in me as soon as I being unpacking in my new place, I am at peace with the end of my time here. I'm ready to take all of the things I've learned about myself and all of the growing I've done since I was 18 and apply it to a new beginning. At the end of the day, few things in life are as liberating and freeing as a clean slate and a fresh start, and I fully intend to embrace it and make the very most of it.