What Freedom Means to Me

Freedom, such a small word for the controversy it has caused countries in the past and present. The fight for freedom at home goes back to 1775, when the 13 colonies went to war against Great Britain for the right to their independence. From that moment on, freedom has become the cornerstone for every  American citizen.

​Freedom to me means that I am able to be the person I want to be. No law, political ideology, or preconceived notion can prevent me from reaching my full potential. Being a girl, I appreciate the freedoms America allows me. There are so many women in the world who don’t have the freedoms to speak, act, dress, or think openly. Many girls and women in the world still don’t have the freedom to go to school and learn how to read, do math, or even write their own name. I am saddened by the story of 18 year old Malala, the Pakistani girl that was shot who spoke freely in her quest for education. At the same time, I am inspired by her ability to overcome this and become a world symbol for freedom and education. I feel so blessed to live in a country that gives me the freedom to get an education and chose my life’s path.

With opportunities provided to me, I have competed in FIRST Robotics for more that one-third of my life, and I have felt the doubt from other competitors. My all-girls robotics team has become one of the top teams in the world. If I lived in one of the countries that limit women’s education, I would never had the chance to prove them wrong. The freedoms to pursue my dreams have allowed me to rise above the doubt.

Freedom has become part of the core of our country, it has become the symbol of what the United States has to offer. Freedom shouldn’t be something countries fight about, it should be something that is expected. Women should be allowed to go to school and learn, they should be able to have the freedom to live up to their full potential, not bow down to laws that prevent them. Simply put, freedom means everyone has the opportunity to be the best person they can be.

This week's blog post was written by Caitlin Hunter. If you are interested in blogging for FIRST Ladies, click here to sign up on the schedule.