Feminism came to me later life. I didn't really even know about the word until I was in graduate school and taking a Gender Studies course.
I knew that I was female, and I knew that I was independent, stubborn, and hated being told what I could and could not do. I didn't call it feminist: I just called it being me. My mother had a Tagalog word for it that I don't remember at the time, but I sure heard it a lot!
Being a feminist, for me, is about debunking what has become an evil word. I am sick and tired of hearing "I believe in equality of the sexes--BUT I'M NOT A FEMINIST."
Hooey.
People are afraid, and they shouldn't be. It's a word that has had very negative connotations (and I've been called a lot of names in connection with that), but in my opinion, if you claim to hold true to a belief, then you shouldn't hide it.
So yes, I am a feminist. And will continue to be.