I’d definitely consider myself a feminist. I mean, I applied into college as a Women’s Studies major, my favorite book is “Half the Sky,” and I occasionally (okay, always) cry when I hear or read anything about Malala Yousaf.

But I’m not here to talk about my love of feminist literature, I’m here to talk to you about something else that makes me feel crazy empowered: The annual Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. Is this a weird thing to be empowered by? For me, not at all.

I usually tune into the show because the costuming and makeup artistry is unparalleled. This year, for instance, Angels floated down the runway coated in a myriad of feathers in the brightest colors for the “Birds of Paradise” segment. The execution of the costumes was nothing short of flawless. But this year, it finally hit me why I tune in year after year. Sure, the fashion plays into it, but it’s so much more than that. When I watch the show I can’t help but feel proud to be a woman.

When A Great Big World sang, followed by the Angels not walking, not strutting, but floating down the runway I got chills. The combination of the beautiful cinematography and music coupled with the flowing costumes and dainty lingerie instilled in me a sense of inspiration and possibility. Kind of deep talk just for some models strutting their stuff? Perhaps, but the chills were not feigned.

We live in a society that, in general, works to discourage women from revealing what we as a general public deem as “too much.” I generally agree. I mean heck, I even wrote an angrily received article about it. But at what point do we cross the line from creating boundaries of social correctness to actually shaming women into thinking their bodies are something they should hate and fear?

Seeing the Angels (especially my favorites Candice Swanepoel and Adriana Lima) dance up and down the aisle in nothing but a bra, underwear, and a pair of wings gave me a sense of confidence. It engrained in me a conviction that we as women should love and celebrate our bodies. They are not to be put down or abused or disliked.

Now, I can just hear people chomping at the bit to completely and passionately disagree with everything I just wrote and I hear you, I respect you, but I also respectfully disagree with you. These women are skinny, they do have flawless complexions, and they do exude an effortless air of sexiness. So yes, a lot of society sees them as the “unattainable perfection,” but let’s look at it like this for a second.

Do you think they got here without work? Adriana Lima, in a short video segment with her personal trainer during the Fashion Show said, “Beauty is nothing without strength.” This quotation sums up, in five words, why I love the show.

To me, it is empowering to see women carry their bodies with such pride because in these moments it is clear who the body belongs to. It is impossible to be affected by objectification if we take charge and own our bodies. Now, I’m not condoning objectification or saying we should just let it be, I am just assuming that in the context of our modern day society, it’s going to happen.

I think a reason these women are seen as sexy and beautiful by our society is not solely contingent upon their physical appearance but instead has a lot to do with the way they see themselves. It is clear that these women understand their beauty, and their confidence shines through. Personally, it inspires me to hold myself to a higher standard and to love both myself and my appearance for what they are.

So ladies, walk the halls with the dynamic combination of power and grace. Walk the halls without inhibitions, fear, or hesitation. Walk the halls with the knowledge that you are a woman who owns her body, who respects her body, and believes that beauty transcends what others think.

Attitude is everything.