This is the story of a real woman who has chosen to share her journey through womanhood anonymously. Her reason is simple but powerful: to educate young girls through the lens of her own experiences, to help them understand who they are and to take pride in their femininity.
Her story is a reminder that femininity is not defined by weakness or dependency. It is shaped by resilience, strength of character, and a deep sense of purpose. Through her words, she offers insight, truth, and encouragement to every young girl learning to navigate her own path.
The Maverick Circle (TMC): From your experience, how do you feel the journey into womanhood often begins, and what challenges do you think girls face navigating that journey?
Anonymous Member (AM): For many of us, the journey that starts in innocence is often short-lived. One moment, you’re a carefree girl, and the next, you’re being sexualized by older men and classmates, sometimes even before you fully understand your own body. It’s a harsh, confusing introduction to what it means to be seen as a woman in the world.
TMC: What kinds of unspoken rules or messages were you taught about how a woman should exist in the world, and how did that shape how you saw yourself?
AM: My womanhood quickly became something people tried to contain. I was told I was too ambitious, too loud, too confident, too smart. I was taught to shrink myself - to cook, clean, and behave in ways that made me more “acceptable.” I’d hear things like, “You won’t understand, you’re just a woman,” or “How dare you speak to me like that?” It was clear from early on that womanhood came with rules, most of which were about staying small and quiet.
TMC: Did that ever push you to change how you showed up in the world?
AM: Absolutely. I started off as the soft-spoken, agreeable version of myself - what some might call ‘ajebo’. But over time, I got tired of being overlooked and walked over. I realized I needed to embrace the assertive, unapologetic part of me - the ‘agbero’, if you will. Sometimes, that’s the version of you that keeps you safe and seen. And that shift was necessary.
TMC: That’s a powerful transformation. But sometimes, women also experience resistance from other women. Have you?
AM: Yes, and it hurts in a different way. You expect sisterhood. You expect understanding. But some women become enforcers of the same oppressive systems and defenders of outdated traditions that keep us bound. It’s painful when the very people you expect to “get it” become part of the problem. But even that has taught me something: not everyone is ready to confront the system, and that’s okay. I just know I no longer will play by those rules.
TMC: What does reclaiming womanhood look like for you now?
AM: It’s the moment you say: “I know who I am.” You stop waiting for validation. You stop shrinking. You build relationships that reflect your values, not just your comfort zone. You uphold boundaries with clarity, and you no longer prioritize fragile egos over your peace. You stop performing and start becoming.
TMC: How has your understanding of womanhood evolved — especially as it relates to healing, growth, and self-discovery?
AM: Womanhood is no longer a burden - it’s a reclamation. It’s not about pain or sacrifice anymore. It’s freedom. It’s dancing alone in your room at midnight and falling in love with the sound of your own laughter. It’s rediscovering yourself again and again, and doing it joyfully.
I've grown to realise that healing doesn’t mean forgetting. It means remembering without flinching. It means acknowledging the pain but not letting it define you. It’s using your anger at injustice as fuel for change. It’s loving deeply, without envy. It’s cheering others on without losing sight of yourself. It’s growth without bitterness.
TMC: If you could leave other women with one message, what would it be?
AM: Your self-respect is non-negotiable. You don’t need to be chosen. You’ve already chosen yourself - and that’s more than enough.
At The Maverick Circle, we believe in amplifying raw, unfiltered voices of women. Every story shared is a mirror for someone else. Thank you to our anonymous contributor for reminding us what it means to come home to yourself.
