I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD BE THE KIND OF PERSON WHO WOULD JOIN A WOMEN’S CIRCLE
The first time I ever heard about a women’s circle I immediately felt repelled by the idea. I was never a girly-girl. Ever since elementary school I got along better with boys. I spent a good chunk of my life making a huge effort to “not be like other girls.”
Now I realize how much of my life I have spent being confused and tormented by internalized misogyny. I have considered myself a feminist since I first read the definition in the dictionary, but for a long while I associated empowerment with stereotypical male characteristics. I thought if I wanted to be a strong woman I needed to be unsentimental, practical and extremely rational.
I was afraid of being vulnerable.
On top of that, I hated everything and anything that separated men and women. I wanted us to be completely equal. The idea of a women’s circle sounded kind of sexist and I couldn’t imagine myself enjoying it.
Now I realize how much of my life I have spent being confused and tormented by internalized misogyny. I have considered myself a feminist since I first read the definition in the dictionary, but for a long while I associated empowerment with stereotypical male characteristics. I thought if I wanted to be a strong woman I needed to be unsentimental, practical and extremely rational.
I was afraid of being vulnerable.
On top of that, I hated everything and anything that separated men and women. I wanted us to be completely equal. The idea of a women’s circle sounded kind of sexist and I couldn’t imagine myself enjoying it.
