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By Vivian Greentree

Feminist – there is just something about the word that immediately puts people on the defensive. Nonetheless, when polled, the majority of men and women consistently agree that feminism has improved women's lives. In fact, when the definition of feminism is given at the time of polling (i.e., a person who supports the social, political, and economic equality of all people) about 70% of all women are likely to call themselves feminists. However, without the definition, the number drops to anywhere between 30-50%.

Furthermore, a little research revealed that in a 1995 poll, 68% of Americans said they support "political, economic and social equality for women." However, in that same survey less than 44% of those same people were willing to call themselves feminists. Those statistics reflect a cognitive dissonance where people are supporting the essential principles of feminism, yet are afraid of, well, calling themselves a feminist.

So here I go. Hi, my name is Vivian…and I am a feminist. Now don't go flying off the handle because I used that old political buzzword. I'm still the same person I was before you heard me classify myself as a hairy-legged, bra-burning she-beast.

To steal a famous quote - for me, feminism is the radical idea that women are people too. We are as diverse and unique and wonderfully competent as men and we want the same choices and opportunities they have. That's it. And I don't think I should have to burn my bra to say it!

Look, obviously women have come a long way with respect to attaining equality. I just got off 4 years of active duty service in the Navy, which certainly shows have far we have come. However, imagine my surprise when I found out that in a job in the "real world," on average, I would only make about .85 cents to a man's dollar. Who would have thought that the U.S. Navy would be at the forefront of women's rights?

I have a "This is what a feminist looks like" t-shirt that I wear sometimes just to throw people off balance. I wear it when I have my 19 month-old son with me while I'm grocery shopping. I don't think I look too threatening and "man-hating" with cracker crumbs on my chest and my sunglasses flopping around on my head while trying to juggle both the cart and an over-eager toddler. Just because I believe in women's equality doesn't put me at odds with simple, mundane tasks such as grocery shopping for my family – and I think Pat Robertson, Phil Gram, Tom Delay, and all the other rank and file fema-not-see's should know that.

The problem with the word Feminist is that it has become an exhortation that is spat out like something distasteful when used to describe women's interest groups and those that would somehow seek to upset the status quo. Those feminists won't be happy till men are wearing dresses and Hillary is President! While I do believe Hillary has a lot to bring to the table in any election (her views on universal healthcare would definitely benefit women), I certainly don't care what men attire themselves in…as long as they adhere to the no white after Labor Day rule.

But seriously folks, let's make this personal. Let's make it personal because that is where your outlook on life gets started – what is near and dear to your heart. So, ask yourself – do I support social, political, and economic equality for men and women? If the answer is yes, did you suddenly become a radical? No. Did you become a Feminist? Well, I guess that is up to you.

***Get your own "this is what a feminist looks like" t-shirt***