Unfortunately, we now live in a country where apparently most residents of the United States prefer having a convicted felon as a leader rather than a woman who is well-educated, kind, and respectful. As someone who is always around women who share those same qualities, I think about how important it is to value those female bonds this Valentines Day because if anything, the last few months only reminded us that at the end of the day, we get torn down so easily. 

Being grateful for the girls in my life was never something I thought I would or needed to write about. Not saying I was ungrateful, but I grew up with a good mix of both male and female friendships and in most situations, always shared a closer bond to my guy friends. However, no matter how much I love those guys in my life, as I have gotten older, I believe that also having those female relationships really shape you to be more confident in both your femininity and autonomy. 

During this past election, former Vice President Kamala Harris went through a lot, just like most public figures. However, she was also shamed as a woman publicly for the world to question her strength and capabilities mainly because she was up against a man. 

I feel like as a woman in my early 20s, it does feel like the whole world is watching because you are in the age of putting yourself out there but also trying to maintain a certain impression as you are trying to make it somewhere in the world. 

I remember talking to my mother about how low this country has shown itself to be and that living here has slowly become an embarrassment. But simply having that conversation with the woman who raised me to be the way I am showed me that our relationship and my other relationships with women are so much stronger than a man who tries to tell us otherwise. 

My friends, some of the brightest women I know, can make me feel so validated as not only do they try their best to put themselves in my shoes but sometimes, they also have those shared experiences that can help me understand that it’s not just me that thinks differently. This is why I know a lot of us feel for Harris as it is our fear to have the same if not more qualifications as a man but still end up failing. 

After many conversations with my friends, I have only come to realize that we need to support each other in every way that we can, despite what the world has come to. If you are a freshman or still young, hold on to the friendships you will come across as when you get older you realize the growth and positive energy you will embody naturally when you are around them. I have learned so much about myself and my confidence just by acknowledging and being there for the women I am around. 

Let us come together and also celebrate womanhood this Valentine’s Day because our bond and intelligence are a lot more powerful than a man who makes us believe we are not capable of having the same roles as him. 

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