Simone de Beauvoir didn’t just write about freedom—she lived it. She was a philosopher, a novelist, a feminist icon, and a woman who refused to let society tell her how to think, love, or exist.
Born in Paris in 1908, Simone grew up in a bourgeois family that expected her to be a proper, obedient woman. Spoiler: she wasn’t. By the time she was a teenager, she’d already declared herself an atheist and decided she would dedicate her life to writing. She wasn’t interested in the narrow roles society had carved out for women. She wanted to think, to question, to live.
Simone’s most famous work, The Second Sex, is a cornerstone of feminist philosophy. In it, she famously wrote, “One is not born, but rather becomes, a woman.” This wasn’t just a catchy line; it was a revolutionary idea. Simone argued that gender roles are constructed by society, not biology. Women aren’t inherently passive or emotional—they’re taught to be that way. And if they’re taught, they can unlearn.
But here’s the thing about Simone: she didn’t just write about freedom; she embodied it. Her relationship with Jean-Paul Sartre, the existentialist philosopher, was as unconventional as it was iconic. They were partners, intellectually and romantically, but they rejected traditional notions of monogamy. They had an open relationship, one based on honesty and mutual respect. It wasn’t always easy, but it was theirs.
Simone’s life wasn’t just about philosophy and love; it was about action. She was deeply involved in political movements, from feminism to anti-colonialism. She spoke out against the Vietnam War, supported Algerian independence, and fought for women’s rights until the end of her life. She wasn’t just an armchair philosopher; she was a woman who put her ideas into practice.
And then there’s her writing. Oh, her writing. Novels like She Came to Stay and The Mandarins explored themes of freedom, identity, and the complexities of human relationships. Her memoirs, including Memoirs of a Dutiful Daughter, are raw, honest, and deeply personal. She didn’t just write about life; she wrote her life.
Here’s what I love most about Simone de Beauvoir: she wasn’t afraid to be messy. She made mistakes, she struggled, she questioned herself. But she never stopped striving for freedom—for herself and for others. She once said, “Change your life today. Don’t gamble on the future, act now, without delay.” And she lived that truth every single day.
Simone’s legacy is a reminder that freedom isn’t something you’re given; it’s something you take. It’s about questioning the world around you, challenging the status quo, and refusing to be defined by anyone else’s expectations.
So, as we celebrate Women’s History Month, let’s remember Simone de Beauvoir—not as a distant intellectual, but as a woman who dared to live on her own terms. She was a thinker, a writer, and a fighter. And honestly, we could all use a little more of her courage in our lives.
Simone, thank you for showing us how to be free.
