4 Reasons Being Called A B*tch Means You're Doing Something Right

I spend an inordinate amount of time on Pinterest. In fact, it’s where I get most of my inspiration.

One recent afternoon found me scrolling though the mood board platform, seeking out wardrobe inspiration for an upcoming date. In between floral sundresses and leather jackets, I came across a photo of a woman in what appeared to be a boardroom. The text above her offered to share insight on “How To Be a Girl Boss In The Work Place Without Being A Bitch.”

There are several things wrong with the above message. First of all, the idea that there’s a quantifiable difference between a "boss” and a "girl boss” is unapologetically sexist, no matter what Sophia Amoruso says. When a woman becomes a manager, she’s a f*cking boss, just like her male counterparts.

Additionally, there’s the idea that a woman might become a bitch just by doing her job. She can’t take the lead in meetings without having to worry she might be coming off as "too much." What’s the male equivalent of a bitch? Ballsy? Assertive?

Let’s get one thing straight: I’d rather be a bitch than someone's bitch any day of the week.

Being a bitch means you’re not afraid to stand up for your ideas.

Every time I’ve ever been called a bitch -- usually by a man in a superior position or one I rejected romantically -- it was because I shared an unpopular opinion.

Not sharing someone else’s beliefs doesn’t make me difficult, it just means I have a different idea. In the same way, telling someone “no” doesn’t make me rude. I’m as entitled to my mind, body and thoughts -- just as any man would be.

If being a bitch means I stood my ground, then by all means, call me that -- as long as you’re cool with me calling you an assh*le.

Being a bitch means you demand to be heard.

I didn’t get to where I am professionally by keeping my mouth shut. If that makes me a bitch, then so be it.

Women are more likely to be interrupted in conversation than men, according to a study published in the Journal of Language and Social Psychology. In the experiment, men interrupted a male conversation partner twice and interrupted a female conversation partner 2.6 times.

Additionally, female doctors are more likely to be interrupted by their patients than male doctors.

Even if you don’t value what I have to say, I still care about it.

Being a bitch means your words are backed by action.

Our society stereotypes women as the gender with big mouths. We all apparently love to talk and regale the men in our lives with bullsh*t stories about our days.

Ha-ha, if only they could find a way to shut us up, right? Insert muzzle joke here!

Being a bitch means you’re not “all talk.” You're not just blabbering on. You put actions behind your bold words and achieve tangible results.

Being a bitch means you don’t give a damn about the rules.

Like most little girls, I had an obsession with the word "why." I wanted to know why my mother struggled to make ends meet, but my uncle never did; why I couldn't go down certain blocks after dark but my male cousins could; why "good girls" always sat with their legs crossed.

At some point between my childhood and my adulthood, asking "why" became a habit that made others view me as difficult, someone who tried too hard. It made me threatening, which, naturally, made me a bitch.

I don't care about bullsh*t rules, just about breaking them. If being inquisitive, direct and valuing my own opinion makes me a bitch, then I'd rather be the poster girl for being a bitch than let anyone walk all over me.