Most days of the year, it’s easy for women to notice the discrepancies and inequalities we face in the world, in the workplace, and so on. But in the spirit of Thanksgiving and the theme of being thankful, here’s a list of green queen traits we can be thankful for:
1. Our Sexuality
It may seem silly, but in a world that’s run by men, women have a great power that sometimes goes unrecognized and uncelebrated, due to the fear of reducing ourselves to an object of desire. Many female artists have talked about the power of the vagina, the captivation it causes, and how men are really rendered powerless when considering it. Whether or not we choose to assert the power of our sexuality, it is important to note the tool in our arsenal, along with our compassion, wit, patience, endurance, and flexibility.
2. DIY ANYTHING.
#DIY is the greatest “life-hack” ever invented. Women get to be crafty, thrifty, stylish, and have fun whereas men are socially restricted in doing crafts like glittering their heels, making baller rhinestone earrings, organic face masks, or studded messenger bags.
3. Heels
Admittedly, there are times I wholeheartedly agree that heels were a man’s invention to prevent women from running away or a sadist’s genius plan to trick women into exercising just while walking, heels are awesome…and most men can’t rock them! They let us be and feel taller, stronger, sexy, and assertive. The only thing similar in a man’s world are suits..and maybe jockstraps.
4. Makeup
Men are stuck with the faces they were born with — bushman eyebrows, bad skin, the list goes on. While makeup is often a task to put on, and take off, we have the opportunity to make ourselves look like whatever we want. Flaws, be gone! And, let us not forget, the AWESOME array of colors we can dust our eyes with. Much better than plan old man skin.
5. Feminism > War on Women
This movement, and women in general, have been changing the face of oppression, small steps at a time. This country was not founded on the belief that all men were created equal; to this day, many countries exclude and legally penalize women. Keep the movement going ladies!
6. Giving Birth
“In a child’s eyes, a mother is a goddess. She can be glorious or terrible, benevolent or filled with wrath, but she commands love either way. I am convinced that this is the greatest power in the universe.” ― N.K. Jemisin, The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms. ‘Nuff said.
7. Our Periods
Speaking of getting preggers, periods are another thing to be thankful for, amIright? It lets us know we’re not preggers, makes our boobs bigger, clears up our skin (for half the month anyway), and gives us a GREAT excuse for getting backrubs!
8. Fashion, that Ever-Evolving Chimera
Is there anything a woman can’t rock? Even ties, power-suits, bowler hats, cowboy boots — we’ve adapted them into our wardrobes and society has been OK with it. But men have never had that freedom. Remember when “real men wear pink” was a thing? Men can’t wear colors, patterns, styles, certain clothes, and more without being seriously questioned. So sad.
9. An Unlimited Number of Cute Hairstyles
Hair is the new accessory. There are endless ways tangle your locks, to primp, press, or flatten to get super cute hairstyles, many of which take under 5 minutes to do. Check out this great Buzzfeed post on quick hair hacks.
10. Girl Talk/ Real Talk
One of the greatest things about being a girl is being able to talk to your girlfriends about anything, without being judged, and being completely understood. Guys often have trouble opening up, even to each other — but we all knew this already. From farts and sharts, to sex, unruly kids, irritating partners, and so on — your lady friends will always have your back. Even at 3 AM.