“If you were a Viking, you’d carry an axe. You’d be a shield maiden,” my dad said, half laughing, one day as we watched some History Channel documentary.

Norse lore describes female warriors who battled alongside their male counterparts on Viking conquests. They trained and fought under the same circumstances as the male Vikings, and were touted to be just as strong, just as brave, and just as fearsome.

As woman, we are conditioned by society to be small and delicate. Don’t take up space. Be a lady. Sometimes, I think we just need to feel like a badass. GUYS TOO. Let me show you how powerful you are.