AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN
FOUNDING MEMBER
&
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CHAIR
The beginning of my junior year of college had a very empowering start to it. The previous year I was interviewed and selected by West Virginia University to represent our school at the National Conference for College Women Student Leaders. This was truly an honor, because this conference featured amazing guest speakers such as former President Clinton’s daughter Chelsea Clinton, and the inspiration behind Scandal’s Olivia Pope, co-executive producer Judy Smith. This conference allowed my peers from West Virginia University and myself to engage with some of the nation’s most successful student leaders. I was very enlightened to see men in attendance, supporting such an amazing organization. I think sometimes when it comes to empowering women, we forget the value men can help to add, in supporting these types of causes.
We attended the conference for three days, while having the opportunity to tour the Washington D.C. area, and network with other organizations who were in attendance at the conference. My favorite part of this conference would have to be the breakout sessions hosted at the University of Maryland’s campus. We received the opportunity to engage on many topics, ranging from women in the work industry, equal pay, to women as mothers, and leaders in the world. We all really enjoyed the experience so much, that upon our return to campus we decided to create our own university chapter of the AAUW organization campus. While I was involved with many other things on campus, I assisted the organization’s President with establishing the organization as an official student organization at West Virginia University. I had the pleasure of assisting the men and women in the organization on campus, with preparing for their futures through multiple professional development endeavors. From employment seminars, to networking, and career opportunities, I truly enjoyed fulfilling my role as the professional development chair for the West Virginia University American Association of University Women.
RESOURCES:
Chelsea Clinton Speaking: https://youtu.be/cgnN_UFV8vo
More Information On AAUW & The National Conference for College Women: