This manifesto is simply the thoughts and feelings that erupted when I felt my identity as a woman was being threatened~ not necessarily by feminism, but certainly by status quo and the ordinary expectations of others. I suppose it is when we feel threatened that what we stand for becomes clearest to us. I felt the need to say something, to make my position unavoidably clear both to myself and to others.

This is not simply regurgitated moralism, for I was never taught these things any more than I was taught feminism in any form (I don't recall actually being taught anything about gender roles, one way or the other!). Most of it is about me, and that I know to be true because it is about me. The remainder I believe to be true.

Although I have called this an "anti-feminist manifesto," that is not the whole truth. I am opposed to anything ~ feminism, anti-feminism, or otherwise ~ that degrades woman in any way, from what God intends her to be. Maybe I should call it a "feminine manifesto." 

     ~ God bless.


I Am a Woman


I am a woman. I am happy with that fact.
I am content to be a woman. I do not feel threatened by men, for they do not
define what a woman ought to be.

I choose to be feminine—not because it comes naturally, or because I have
been told I should,
              But because I am a woman.

I do womanly things with wholesome pride—without shame, fear, regret, or
explanation.

I cook, and sew, and keep the house
              not because I enjoy these things,
              or because I am gifted for these things,
              or because they are necessary,
              or because I can.

I cook, and sew, and keep the house
              because I am a woman.

It gives me great joy to know
That when I fell from the Creator's hand
I wasn't just another man--
              with shorter stature,
              weaker body,
              and motherhood-to-be
. . . but otherwise the same.

I am the other side of mankind—the complement of man.
Better? No.
Inferior? No.
Yet different all the same.

United by design and love,
The blending of like with like,
Companionship of kindred minds,
Unique and varied, we are designed for each other and not made for ourselves.

I am a woman.

Femininity is not weak in body, mind, or spirit,
For these things are beneath the dignity of womanhood.

Femininity is not ignorant, or intelectually deficient,
For knowledge is its efficacy and wisdom is its mark.

Femininity is not called to serve the whims of man,
For it was created to serve him in his purest, noblest form.

Femininity is not selfish, nor is it subservient,
For giving is its essence, and love is its power.

I am a woman.

I am not willing to be controlled . . . but I am willing to submit.
I am not willing to be belittled. . . but I am willing to be humble.
I am not willing to be held back . . . but I am willing to hold myself back.
I am not willing to be a slave . . . but I am willing to be a servant.
I am not willing to be abused . . . but I am willing to care for others.
I am not willing to be used by man . . . but I am willing to be loved.
I am not willing to “have it all” . . . but I am willing to give my all.

I can be anything I want to be . . . and I choose to be a woman;
To apply my brain, and bone, and muscle to reach the highest good,
To give my heart, and soul, and mind to things that truly matter,
To be the side of mankind that I was meant to be—
To cherish home, and faith, and friends
Above achievement, power, and praise.
 
I am a woman. Watch me live.


Copyright © 2007 Christina A. Huffman. Do not reprint or save in any form, any part of this document, without my permission. Thank you!  Return to Keeping Home.