Adolescence is often seen as a blank page, but long before we realize it, gender roles are already shaping who we are. In this talk, Christie Cao shares powerful stories—from Spain’s Ana Orantes to her own journey founding a gender studies club and creating feminist films—to show why encountering feminism early matters. Feminism is not about division, but about giving young people the lens and courage to reimagine their lives, free from cages of expectation. It is a fight for humanity, empowering both girls and boys to live fully as themselves. Christie Cao is a student, feminist filmmaker, and gender activist. She is the founder of Equality Edge, a gender studies club that has delivered workshops to children across China, and the creator of two feminist social media platforms. Christie has directed award-nominated microfilms exploring issues such as menstruation stigma, body shame, and women’s voices, and has curated multiple exhibitions on gender bias. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx