But I am

I am but one woman.

I sit in a room full of men.

Intellectually ignored.

The subject of attention--of the unwanted type.

My brain, my skills, my experience

always second to my looks and my gender.

I am a good woodworker.

But I am also a female.

I am a good student.

But I am also a female.

I get straight A’s.

But I am also a female.

I wear lipstick and safety glasses

I wear steel-toed boots and dresses

I carry heavy blocks of wood

I operate large machinery on a daily basis

I wear pantyhose three times a week

I curl my hair on Monday

I use a bandsaw with precision

I am never late to class

But I am also a female.

I am a female

Who will always be second to the males in her class.

I would never want to change my gender.

All the beauty of a women.

Her intellect

Her strength

Her wisdom

Her humility

I would change how they see me.

For my Intellect

My Strength

My Wisdom

My Humility

Because I am a female.