I intended this post to be a note to my little girl - and then I remembered that I want my sons to be feminists too. I want my sons to understand what it means to be human and to embrace the difference that gender brings to that meaning. So here goes:
Be bold and ambitious - you are limited by the size of your dreams- dream big, work hard. Be nice to everyone, always, you don't know their full story. Be complex - you don't need to choose to be Audrey or Marilyn. You can have a career and a family, you can be successful and vulnerable, beautiful and intelligent, creative and logical. None of your life decions should close doors for you.
Be optimistic. Be adventurous. Say 'yes' as often as you can. If a situation feels wrong, listen to your instinct and get out of it. Never ignore your true voice. Don't be degraded or disrespected more than once.
Love women. They created every person on this planet with their bodies. Don't be prudish about childbirth, menstruation or breastfeeding - talk about it, be inspired. Never be embarrassed by sexual health, buying condoms or tampons - you are privileged to have open access to these things.
Speak your mind, even when you're at risk of causing offence - there is room enough in the word for everyone to have an opinion. Be thankful that yours is not decided for you. Do everything you can to minimise inequality, oppression or small mindedness. Embrace the future and everything it holds, especially change. Challenge yourself. Smile. Be courteous and smartly dressed - these things show that you respect convention. Then be unconventional. Love your siblings, they will be your lifelong allies.
Finally, when your Mum is preaching at you about all the things you should and shouldn't do - ask her how many of them she managed. Then give her a cuddle.
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