Weekly Mantra - Emma Watson

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I remember getting into a debate with a guy I was dating over the word "feminist."

He started off the conversation with, "You aren't some bra burning feminist are you?" I remained calm, but responded that yes, actually I am (but minus the bra burning because bras are expensive, and I need them).

This past weekend, Emma Watson spoke at the United Nations as she is a UN Women Goodwill Ambassador.

Her speech was about feminism, and while it did focus on women's equality, the speech also focused on opening up the stage for men and boys.

The HeForShe campaign is a call for men to be vulnerable, and to be free of gender stereotypes. It is a platform for men to stand up for feminism, because they also believe in the rights of women.

I thought her speech was brilliant, and wanted to share it with you. This week's mantra comes from her, and if you haven't already, watch the full video here. Enjoy!

"My life is a sheer privilege because my parents didn’t love me less because I was born a daughter. My school did not limit me because I was a girl. My mentors didn't assume that I would go less far because I might give birth to a child one day. These influences are the gender equality ambassadors that made me who I am today. They may not know it but they are the inadvertent feminists needed in the world today. We need more of those. If you still hate the word, it is not the word that is important. It is the idea and the ambition behind it because not all women have received the same rights I have. In fact, statistically, very few have." - Emma Watson