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Women’s Fund Intern Makes a Difference

At times, the Women’s Fund accepts interns when the opportunity arises. Whether we fund a specific project or another institution sponsors the individual, we prioritize valuing their time and talents! We were lucky this spring to be approached by a young leader named Esther who was seeking an internship to fulfill her college requirements at Brandeis University. As a double major in Sociology and Film/Television/Interactive Media, Esther’s eye for design, voice for social media, and collaborative attitude were a great fit on our team this summer.

You may have seen her contributions to our work on social media over the last few months, and you will continue to see her contributions in the year to come. Esther has shared her experience as she departs from the Fund and moves on to her next adventure. It is bittersweet to say goodbye, but we feel grateful for the time she spent with us and we’re delighted to connect with another young woman with great promise to lead.

What have you learned while working with the Women’s Fund this year?

A better question might be what haven’t I learned?!

I went into this internship with three goals: to learn more about non-profits, to become more confident in my creative decision-making, and get more experience being involved in research.

I can confidently say that I have fulfilled these goals and so much more. I am leaving with concrete work experience in the field I hope to pursue after graduation, hard skills involving research and community engagement, and practical skills regarding teamwork and social issues.

What did you find the most rewarding about your internship? What did you find the most challenging?

One of the most rewarding parts of this internship is being able to easily integrate my passions into our community engagement work. Like many others, I have become especially angered about reproductive rights and thankfully, I’ve been able to join in on the Women’s Fund’s reproductive justice work. I have been able to combine my interest in graphic design and this type of work for posts across all of our platforms. Plus, it’s fun to see infographics I’ve worked so hard on fitting in with all of our other posts.

The most challenging part has probably been doubting my own abilities. I can be quite hard on myself but throughout the summer I have been able to see the value that I bring to the table and realize that I am an integral part of the team!

We love your dedication and commitment to advancing gender equity. Are there any women in history or who are making history that inspire you to do this work?

Being a lover of sociology, two women who inspire me are Audre Lorde and bell hooks. Both women have wonderful repertories of writing not only about gender equality, but also about the intersection of gender with race, class, and sexuality. Reading the works of these amazing women has inspired me to think more critically about our society and see the importance of intersectional work.

Now that you are finished in this role, what is next for you?

I am going back to Brandeis University in Waltham where I will be a senior. Upon finishing my last year, I will graduate with a double major in Sociology and Film/Television/Interactive Media and a triple minor in Theater Arts, Social Justice/Social Policy, and Women/Gender/Sexuality Studies.

In terms of what comes after that, who knows! I am certainly interested in continuing my involvement with non-profit work, and I am especially passionate about working with themes such as feminism, LGBTQIA+ rights, and disability justice.

Is there anything else you want to share?

By far, the most fulfilling part of my 10 weeks at the Women’s Fund was working with such a strong and inspiring group of women. I had only met my supervisor, Kelley, before starting my internship and had no idea that I would be joining a group of individuals with just as much passion and drive as she has. They have welcomed me into their team with open arms, and their openness has facilitated many of my greatest learning experiences. Every Tuesday, I leave staff meetings amazed by the breadth of the work being done behind the scenes at WFWM.

Additionally, I have been lucky enough to attend two in-person happenings: a Joan’s Circle event and the Young Women’s Advisory Council (YWAC) graduation. Those nights have been filled with meeting inspiring women and seeing the real-life impact the Women’s Fund has in the community. I know that this is not the end of my involvement with WFWM, as the connections and learning opportunities I have encountered this summer, as cheesy as it may sound, will last a lifetime.