After a semester of writing about feminism, I’ve come to my final installment in this series of columns. I’ve had a lot of fun exploring the different aspects of feminism that I feel are important, and I know there are many more topics that I could have touched on instead. There are a few key messages I hope you took away from my columns this semester.

**1. We still need feminism.**

This is a biggie. The need for feminism in our society today is strong, despite the fact that women are able to vote and have the same legal rights as men (except perhaps the right to control their own bodies…but that’s a column for another semester). We may have successfully broken down the legal barriers to gender equality, but we haven’t been successful in breaking down societal barriers.

I’m talking about those perceptions of women that we are taught at a young age. [The gendered way we use the term “bossy”](https://www.themaneater.com/stories/2014/3/12/what-we-teach-young-girls-matters/) to describe a little girl we think is being too bold, while little boys are encouraged to be leaders. I’m talking about the fact that [Hollywood ignores women moviegoers](https://www.themaneater.com/stories/2014/2/26/oscars-look-women-big-screen-2013/) and continues to produce films in which women play a secondary role. I’m talking about the fact that [the gender pay gap still exists](https://www.themaneater.com/stories/2014/4/10/gender-pay-gap-due-more-just-unfair-compensation/), not because there are legal barriers that prevent women from earning the same as men, but because male and female employers are less likely to grant a raise to a woman, and women are less likely to ask for them. And I’m talking about the fact that [women are sports fans](https://www.themaneater.com/stories/2014/4/4/women-should-be-covering-and-running-professional-/), too, and it’s time we were recognized for it.

We still need feminism to break down society’s barriers. We need feminism to elect more female leaders to office in the United States. We need feminism so girls have women to look up to in positions of power across all fields. So it’s important that we continue to talk about inequalities between genders, even if those inequalities aren’t written into law.

**2. Feminism is not one-size-fits-all.**

I think a lot of women are afraid to call themselves “feminist” because the term is politically charged. But feminism to one person doesn’t have to be the same to another. Sure, it would be great if everyone could agree that gender inequality sucks and that we need to empower women. But there are lots of antiquated societal norms that people cling to, and discovering feminism doesn’t mean you have to give up everything you’ve ever believed all at once.

[Feminists in relationships](https://www.themaneater.com/stories/2014/2/12/please-dont-open-my-car-door-feminist-lessons-dati/), for instance, don’t have to give up their desire to be treated by their partners. Just because you’re a feminist doesn’t mean you have to change the way you live your personal life.

Embracing feminism is a process. Even for me, I’m always discovering new facets of feminism that I didn’t know before. I read feminist media, and other women help me evolve into the kind of feminist I hope to be. Their unique life experiences guide me into a more whole view of feminism.

I hope if you’ve learned anything from my columns this semester, it’s that you can
always learn more about feminism. I encourage you to [continue consuming feminist media](https://www.themaneater.com/stories/2014/4/30/online-media-connects-feminists-worldwide/), and never stop learning and evolving in your own personal feminism.

**3. Women should help other women.**

There’s nothing that irks me more than a woman who says she likes being friends better than women. It bothers me so much that [I wrote a whole column about it](https://www.themaneater.com/stories/2014/2/17/importance-female-friendships/)! But I want to reiterate it again: women must help other women. The only way we can reach our ideal society in which women are equally represented in all fields is to extend your hand for other women.

So stop pushing away other women — we aren’t here to compete with each other (although the patriarchy wants you to believe that). Women should be supporting other women, and the sooner we start doing that, the sooner we are going to be living in a gender-equal society.

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading my feminist musings this semester, and I hope I’ve inspired at least one person to learn more and consider their own feminism. Together, we can make a difference toward gender equality for all.