International Womyn’s Day

Written by Claire VanValkenburgPhotography by Maria Laroia-NguyenI want to write an ode to womyn. All womyn.Tall womyn short womeyn fat womyn skinny womyn, self-proclaimed womyn, and shelf-ashamed womyn. "Womyn" spelled with a 'y' not an 'e' because men aren't any part of our identity. I want to write an ode to the girls who grow up learning that their bodies are something they must conceal and cover up because the men that surround them tell them they are dangerous if exposed, that their bare shoulders are to be blamed for the boys who snap their bra straps against their flesh, hissing 'slut' and 'whore' at the little girl who was just too hot in the school's mandated jumper.This is for the womyn who prepare for a night out with makeup like battle paint. The womyn who make sure their tribe has a plan for where they can all hide from the drunk zombies that grab them after the sun goes down, the clunky home-boys that have them cornered in an uncomfortable power-battle stare-down.For the womyn who know that walking down the street is a game of self-defense, warriors with car keys tucked like wolverine blades between each manicured finger, painted with nail polish that changes color when dipped into a spiked drink because womyn are being forced to invent new ways of survival instead of society addressing this Justice deprival.This is an ode to the womyn who know we won’t emerge from the woods until everyone starts listening and validating our sisters and mothers who come forward with their stories of strife and troubles. An ode to the girls—the lionesses, who carry the world on their shoulders but still march forward in 5-inch heels and tight dresses.The strongest creatures on earth are womyn, and we all know this to our core. Womyn are Amazons with power galore. The problem is we've been locked up too long, because the interwoven bars of marginalization are incredibly strong. Dear world, all we ask is to have a voice andTo be listened to.No, not just amplified in front of a mic; listened to with the intention of change, of striking down systematic oppression and hate, we want new policies and education and a faster pace as we move towards equality for the human race. Because honestly right now things feel an awful lot like when your seat belt catches when you lean forward to fast in the car, and every attempt to undo the hurtful restraint pulls you back until you can't breatheAnd you faint.This is an ode to the womyn who feel lightheaded and restless. An ode from a fellow survivor, standing tall and relentless. Listen to me, we won't stop until we've achieved justice and equality. We won't stop until we feel safe on the street. Look, I know it's hard and that glass ceiling is thick but I promise if we just keep talking, Shouting, Screaming,Someday we will evict social norms and political sick until we live in a world That listens.