March 8th is International Women's Day. For more than 100 years, this day has been used to draw attention to women's rights, gender equality, and ongoing discrimination. The history behind it is very important and relevant, but I think many others have already written about it. I don't want to simply reiterate what I've gathered from other sources. Instead, I'd much rather use this day to ask myself the question: What does it mean to be a woman? This question, of course, cannot be answered generally, and certainly not by me alone. Fortunately, our team consists of many wonderful women, and I will be asking them this question as well. You can find their answers below. So, what does it mean for me to be a woman? I grew up rather untypically "girlish." In my childhood and teenage years, I had a strange relationship with femininity.My mother rejected many things that are considered typically feminine in our society. Dresses, skirts, bows, earrings, the color pink. She had to wear all these things as a child, even though she didn't like them. For this reason, she didn't want to force them on me. I got my first ear piercings at age 6 because my father wanted to get an earring and asked me if I wanted some too. My mother was not very enthusiastic about it at the time. For a long time, I rejected things seen as feminine. Because society suggested to me that femininity was something negative. Statements like: "You're not like other women" are deeply misogynistic, and unfortunately, as a teenager, I fell for them too. I rejected dresses, skirts, the color pink, and many other things, pretending it wasn't my taste. Today, I know that it is very much my taste. I love wearing dresses and skirts. I love jewelry and my ear piercings, and I later got three more. I enjoy doing my makeup and love my skincare routine. I love cooking and baking for my loved ones. I like the color pink and am totally into romance. Cheesy love stories are totally my thing, and "The Devil Wears Prada" was one of my favorite movies even back then, although I didn't want to openly admit it. At the same time, I also incredibly enjoy playing video games and am a fan of the Marvel Universe. Additionally, I can assemble any piece of furniture by myself, install lamps, or mount toilet seats. These are typical skills and interests that are often considered stereotypically masculine. Ultimately, I am an individual with many interests and facets that can be categorized into various boxes, but one alone is not enough. Now, let's turn to the thoughts and answers of my esteemed colleagues to the question: What does it mean to be a woman? "To be able to experience various emotional phases, both positive and negative, and to experience the closest connection to another human being there is (motherhood)." - Anonymous "I am proud to be a woman. For me, our uniqueness lies in a certain sensitivity that makes us perceive the world more consciously. Most of all, I am grateful for the ability to be a mother. Since last year, I have a daughter, and she motivates me daily to be stronger, gentler, and more patient. When she is older, she will realize: Apart from our ability to bear children, there is no difference, not in dreams, not in self-worth." - Isabell "For me, being a woman means standing up for yourself every day in a world made for men. This includes letting go of imposed gender roles and finding yourself as you truly are – whether it's typically feminine or not." - Ana "To be honest, the current situation for women is still not the easiest; we are simply lucky to be born into a somewhat "right" society. Nevertheless, I don't want to write a treatise on women's rights here, but rather emphasize some positive aspects in brief:Being a woman - being beautifulWomen connect - harmonize - are strong and life-givingWomen are sensual - desired - proudWomen are life - it's time to celebrate ourselves a little more" - Anja Many thanks to my dear colleagues for taking the time to answer the question and for all your enthusiasm. I still haven't really answered the question myself. So, what does it mean for me to be a woman? Unfortunately, that's not so easy to answer. What I can definitively answer, however, is that for me, being a woman does not mean automatically having to like "typically feminine" things. For me, being a woman also doesn't mean necessarily having to have children and become a mother. Nor do women belong in the kitchen and have to enjoy cooking or baking. Fortunately, we have the privilege here to freely choose these things and are not forced to do them. Even if the status quo is not yet ideal and we must protect it, we can choose both sides. We can choose interests considered feminine, we can choose motherhood, but we can also choose against them if we want to. For me, all these things and qualities considered feminine by society do not automatically make a woman a woman. Being a woman, in my eyes, means so much more. For my "womanhood," for example, it means constantly becoming aware of my internalized misogyny, counteracting it, and shedding it piece by piece. My "womanhood" also means being proud to confidently stand behind my interests and preferences, whether they are "typically feminine" or not. Because I do not associate these interests and preferences with anything negative. For me, femininity and being feminine are not negative. At least not anymore. I had to reach this point first, but now I defend this stance with all my "womanhood." I wish all women in this world a wonderful Women's Day, and may the other days of this year bring you much happiness and joy. - Nancy Schneider, eve in paradise