Written by: Shanaz Sabir (First-Year Representative)
Femininity. It’s a word I’ve been hearing more and more lately. A quick Google search will tell you it means “qualities or attributes regarded as characteristic of women or girls.” In other words, femininity is often associated with choosing cooperation, kindness, and compassion over competition and dominance.
One of the first things that comes to mind is the Run Like a Girl ad campaign from a few years ago. When men and older women were asked to “run like a girl,” they did so daintily, flailing their hands and prancing in place. But when young girls were asked the same thing, they sprinted full force—determined, strong, and unwavering. That contrast stuck with me.
It’s funny how certain fields of study follow the same stereotypes. Degrees dominated by women are often seen as “easier,” while male-dominated programs are perceived as rigorous and brain-heavy. But in reality, they’re just different disciplines, requiring different skill sets. The idea that one is less valuable than the other is rooted in outdated thinking, not fact.
Time and time again, women have been raised to challenge the norms placed upon them. Yet, somehow, femininity itself has been caught in the crossfire, as though embracing it diminishes strength or ambition. But why should it?
My earliest memories are of a makeup-loving, high-heel-obsessed little girl. I was captivated by the women in magazines, seeing them as the ultimate vision of what I wanted for my future. At the same time, I remember telling my mom, “I want to study business so I can be better than all the boys.” I was confident in my femininity.
But as I grew older, things changed. In middle school, I leaned more into sports, steering away from anything labeled “girly.” In high school, I didn’t understand the popular trends or where I fit within the idea of femininity. It felt like something I had to either fully embrace or reject—there was no in-between.
Now, as I’ve grown, I realize that femininity is fluid and personal. It doesn’t have to fit into one box or be expressed in just one way. I love wearing heels and getting my nails done, but that doesn’t take away from the respect I deserve. It doesn’t mean I lack ambition, intelligence, or strength. Strength and femininity are not opposites—they coexist, enhancing one another rather than diminishing either.
So, let this post serve as a little love letter to embracing it all. Femininity, ambition, power, softness—none of them have to be sacrificed. They can all thrive together, unapologetically.
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