Why does the word feminist make people so uncomfortable? To be a feminist is to be a humanist. Feminism is about the belief in equality of opportunities such as voting, property ownership, and wages. Feminism supports access to healthcare, education, and economic opportunities.

Feminism seems to still conjure up some impolite images of women – loud, boisterous women protesting in the streets with banners demanding a fair shake at life. Given all the research and statistics that demonstrate an obvious universal inequality in the treatment of women, protesting in the streets seems completely reasonable. But it also makes sense that women have been so socially ingrained not to stir things up and to keep the peace – in a most polite manner. And while women are great social amelioraters, translators, and diplomats, disassociating or disconnecting from feminism surely keeps us quiet absorbers of conflict and mistreatment.

What I’m proposing is not radical – or maybe it is. I propose that we embrace the term feminist for what it truly is: an advocate for equitable treatment and opportunities for all humans. If you love a mother, a grandmother, sister, daughter, female partner or friend, you’re probably more of a feminist than you think. That’s why Humble & Poe has added a unisex Feminist t-shirt to reclaim the term. You can check it out in our Marketplace. And remember – a portion of proceeds goes to organizations doing important work for women.

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