“The woman is the heart of the home. Let us pray that we women realize the reason for our existence: to love and be loved and through this love become instruments of peace in the world.” — Blessed Mother Teresa

Modernity loves to celebrate women. In many ways, that is great.  Both men and women are created in God’s image and likeness. Celebrating God’s creation is good and beautiful.  That celebration should bring us closer to God, enable us to find joy, and remind us of our mission here on earth: sainthood.

But how do we celebrate women today? Companies and organizations are more female friendly. Women are encouraged to forgo antiquated concepts, like preparing themselves for marriage, and instead prepare themselves to embrace self-love and the courage to live out their dreams. Every year, we celebrate National Women’s Day. Women Studies is a section in bookstores. Women are receiving more and more opportunities. Women outnumber men in the college scene, which some credit to more anti-male sentiments in the academic world.  

There is an obvious “pro-woman” push in modern America.  Women’s rights is a political term, but many would scoff if you suggested Man’s rights.  With all this said, I find it rather telling that while we praise women for their achievements, accomplishments, and so forth, most women are ignorant when it comes to basic pro-woman topics like how their bodies work.

I remember talking to one woman, driven by her career but plagued by all kinds of female health dilemmas. “You know, you can learn how to naturally balance your hormones.” I said attempting to bring some hope. “You’ll probably find a lot of healing if—“

“Mmm. Maybe. That just sounds like a lot of work. I just think I am screwed. I just won’t ever heal.” She blew me off.

Instead, she was willing to sacrifice much for her career to be successful and independent, but had no idea how to attend to her basic needs.

This kind of dissonance needs to be addressed. The most basic points that relate to our overall wellness are completely disregarded. I’ve talked to women who had no clue that NOT getting a period was a serious problem, or that PMS pain is not normal. The list goes on and on.

Isn’t it insulting that as women we are told we are empowered because we can get a hot job, or wear whatever we want, BUT we remain uneducated and laughably ignorant in regards to our own bodies? It kind of feels like someone is being duped.

But why?

Could it be because an understanding of the female body leads one to the truth that women are designed to be mothers? That through the body a spiritual mystery is clearly hinted at? Everything that goes on inside of us pivots around babies. Our bodily blueprint reveals our maternal and self-giving calling, but that reality is inconvenient.

Are we that afraid of who we are as women and what we are capable of? Are we afraid to discover that our bodies might actually point to a higher truth?

The body, and it alone, is capable of making visible what is invisible: the spiritual and the divine. It was created to transfer into the visible reality of the world the mystery hidden since time immemorial in God [God’s love for man], and thus to be a sign of it. — John Paul II

How can this kind of worldly empowerment be real if it actually keeps the truth away from us? Let’s renounce faux empowerment, and instead, give women the tools to understand who they are as women.

Our bodily makeup reflects the mystery and tremendous influence in our roles as women. Edith Stein remarked that the world doesn’t need what we have, but rather what we are. Are you ready to Discover What It Means to be a woman?

Starting September 13, The Feminine Project will be hosting a year long series on womanhood. We will begin with the basic tenets of womanhood and proceed to dive into many other crucial topics, like how to advocate for God’s creation, transform your everyday life, and restore your own heart. As well as basic guides for becoming masters of our own well being— physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Yes, that means providing you with CRUCIAL information about YOUR health and wellness.

Instead of withholding information from women, it’s time we make resources and support accessible.

This Monday we begin with the basic tenets of womanhood because women are composed of three awe-inspiring mysteries: virginity, bride, and mother.

It’s time to discover who you are as God created you.  

Are you tired of the bogus empowerment, and ready to become who you were made to be?

(Pssst… so much more than what the world offers you.)