A Chance Zeina Al-Ramahi

Women can do it too. Women can work too. Women can inspire too. Women can feel safe too. Women can be strong too.

We recite these words in our heads, so it is easier as we stand there, watching our hard work go by. Our souls fly, and tiredness lingers in the air.

As people underestimate how far we can last, we revive and wish for a chance. Chances are given to all men, but women don't count. We sit there wishing that someday it will be she instead of he. Our hopes get lost, but not for long.

We get up and fight for a chance. Our bodies free and seeking, we rise up and start talking. Strong word after strong word: we strongly try to fight. Our voices get washed away like an ocean's tide, but we don't stop. Our message needs to be heard.

Women can be leaders too. Women can be recognized too. Women can be independent too. Women can take care of themselves too. Women can be strong too.

We were always told to be wives and to not thrive, and we can't be something more, but our burning passion seeks for adventure and to push the stereotypes off the broken bridge that's keeping us from crossing to our next path.

Society says men are good boys, but tell us we should have known better.

We are told to be appealing to guys, but too much or too little will not be committable.

Women can be smart too. Women can be confident too. Women can be powerful too. Women can express themselves too. Women can be strong too.

The expectations people have for us are a high mountain waiting to be climbed. We try to meet the standards, but our odds of doing everything becomes less and less.

Why is it that she is not as powerful as he? After all, we are birds collecting sticks to build a new world.

Zeina Al-Ramahi, Grade 8 South View Middle School, Edina Teaching Artist: Frank Sentwali