My mother first joined this amazing organization long before I was born, so I was simply brought up attending her branch meetings and soon, I was hooked. AAUW built the foundation of my interest in women's rights, which has colored my career ambitions my entire life. Last year,I had the amazing opportunity to serve as an AAUW fellow in the DC headquarters. Seeing the organization I grew up in from the topside, I was not disappointed. AAUW does so much to help women from their funding for non-traditional students, issue campaigning and lobbying, to simply breaking down issues important to women so everyone can be aware of what's going on in Washington. AAUW has helped my solidify my interests in women's rights, and I'm just one person. Think of how much they've done for thousands of women since the 1881 founding. I'm proud to be associated with this group and hope to continue that connection in some way for the rest of my life.