In our multi-generational traditional household, mornings unfold with the sight of my grandmother donning an apron, while my mom confidently slips into stilettos. Breaking barriers as the first working woman in our family, she embodies confidence, independence, and intelligence.

Unfortunately, the men in our family interpret her strength as "loud" and "pretentious." Growing up, my expressions of emotion or opinions were met with references to being "my mother's daughter" in moments of vulnerability, while any achievements tagged me as "my father's daughter."

In my younger years, being compared to my mother felt like an insult, creating a rift. However, as a teenager now, my perspective has shifted. My mom, with all her qualities, means the world to me. The once-insulting words my family used only serve to fuel my pride. To be a woman is not to undermine your own achievements, nor is it to avoid speaking out, for that is not feminine.

This summer, I had the opportunity to promote the Girls Lead Act to congressmen. This bill, advocating for global women's education, opened doors for me to engage with President Biden's cabinet and learn from numerous powerful women. This experience made me realize the issue is not my mom but the societal expectations placed upon her and me. It empowered me to embrace the very attributes that were once used against me, a struggle shared by many young teenage girls.