NOW'S Internship Program
Only COMPLETED applications accepted
Deadlines:
Spring - Nov. 1
Summer - Mar. 15
Fall - Jun. 30
With over 500,000 contributing members, NOW is the largest feminist organization in the United States. Since NOW was founded in 1966, we have struggled to end the injustice and inequality women face daily. As an intern with the National NOW Action Center you will be on the front lines of the women's rights movement.
An important element of our program is comprehensive leadership training. We hold a series of workshops to empower young feminists and give you the tools and knowledge to become leaders on your campuses and in your communities. You will learn the organizing skills from leaders of the most prestigious feminist organization in the world. Becoming a NOW intern is a commitment to apply the skills learned during the internship and to become, or continue to be, an activist leader.
Each semester NOW interns participate in a wide range of activities which distinguish us from other Washington, D.C. based programs. These are just a few of the activities provided for interns each semester:
- First-hand observation of how a sexist, racist, and classist political system impacts women in this country.
- Frequent opportunities to organize and attend Congressional and U.S. Supreme Court hearings, press conferences, demonstrations and rallies.
- Intern Lobby Day which includes a "how to lobby" workshop.
- Training in our successful, time-honored grassroots organizing including
workshops on campus organizing, coalition building and networking.
- Weekly intern discussion groups and field trips on a wide range of feminist
issues which are led by National NOW staff and officers.
Please read the application and information. Your assistance in this fight is crucial. We must stop the backlash against women and regain total power and control over our bodies and our lives.
NOW INTERNSHIP FACTS
- NOW offers volunteer, unpaid internship opportunities, both full and part time, throughout the year.
- College credit can be arranged.
- A minimum of 3 days per week is required. Full time interns are
preferred.
- Prospective interns should be hard working, enthusiastic and flexible individuals
who possess or seek a working knowledge of women's issues and feminist
organizing. Interns should also be committed to continuing to struggle
for equality and justice once they leave the internship program and return
to their campuses and communities.
- Interns will work with one of the following teams:
-
Communications Team: Research, draft and edit articles for NOW's online and print publications; assist with media relations, web updates, graphic design and other communications projects.
- Conference/Events Team: Each year, NOW holds a national conference (the location of which varies). An intern working with this team would learn valuable event planning skills and how to juggle multiple projects with varying deadlines
- Field Organizing Team: Get involved in the nuts and bolts of grassroots
organizing for NOW's broad range of priority issues.
Work on pickets, campaigns, conferences/summits, speaking tours and materials
development.
- Government Relations/Public Policy Team: Characterized by lobbying, legislative research and writing, and political campaign work.
-
Membership/Fundraising Team: If you're interested in working in the non-profit world, an internship with the membership/fundraising team will provide you with highly marketable skills. Through this team, an intern will learn how to support NOW's chapters, members, and fundraising efforts, in addition to learning how to write copy and work with funders.
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Political Action Committee: Assist with NOW/PAC organizing, including meeting with candidates, processing endorsement requests, and managing Federal Election Commission materials.
-
President's Assistant: This intern will work directly with NOW's president, booking speeches and travel, as well as outreach meetings with heads of allied organizations. This intern will also be involved with the president's correspondence and research talking points for speeches.
Projects and assignments in these areas vary based on the changing political and social climate in Washington, D.C. and the nation.
Interested interns must send the following:
- A completed application form
- A cover letter
- A current resume
- Two letters of recommendation
- A writing sample (1-3 pages)
If you have further questions please contact:
Intern/Volunteer Coordinator
Phone: 202-628-8669
Address: National Organization for Women
1100 H Street NW, Suite 300
Washington, D.C. 20005
E-mail: volunteer@now.org
- Deadline for Spring Internship: November 15
- Deadline for Summer Internship: March 15
- Deadline for Fall Internship: June 30
Information about Colleges and University Programs That Sponsor Semester in Washington Programs
-
American University: The American Politics Semester is a program specifically for students who want to spend a semester in Washington. AU accepts applications from students around the country. Students choose from two specialized areas: National Government and Public Law. There is a seminar (two courses/eight semester hours) and an internship. Students intern two days per week. Finally, there is a research project or elective course (one course/three or four semester hours). For more information contact Washington Semester Program, American University at 202-895-4900 or 1-800-424-2600. Visit the American University web site or send an e-mail.
-
State University of New York at Brockport: Interns work 4 days/week and attend classes one day/week. A major research paper is required. This is a 15 week program and accepts students from around the country. For more information contact the Program Director at 1730 Rhode Island Avenue, NW, Suite 702, Washington, D.C. 20036, 202-659-4320 or 1-877-659-4320 (toll free), or email: sunywashsem@elinksip.com
-
Institute for Experiential Learning (IEL), The Capital Experience: An educational nonprofit organization that provides internships and educational programs for undergraduate and graduate students. Students work at the internship site 4 days per week. Students also take the Experiential Education Seminar and one elective course. For more information contact WII, 1015 18th St, NW, Suite 1101, Washington, D.C. 20036, 202-833-8580, info@wiidc.org.
-
The Washington Center: An independent, nonprofit education association which provides comprehensive learning opportunities in the nation's capital for students from colleges and universities throughout the country. The Center offers two kind of opportunities: full time academic internships and academic seminars which are one-to-three week colloquia focusing on national and international issues. The full time internship program is offered for both semester (15 weeks) and quarter (10 week) students. Full time interns work 4.5 days per week and attend class one half day every week. For more information contact The Washington Center, 1333 16th St, NW, Washington, DC 20036, 202-469-8083, info@twc.edu
-
Cornell University: Open to Cornell students only, this program aims to offer students an opportunity to take advantage of the rich resources of the nation's capital. Students from all of Cornell's colleges are eligible to earn full academic credit for a semester in Washington. Students take courses from Cornell faculty, conduct individual research projects and work as externs. Students work 3 days/week at the externship and carry a course load of 12 to 16 credits. For additional information contact the Cornell Center, 2148 O Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20037, 202-466-2184. In Ithaca, Director, M-101 McGraw Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, 607-255-4090.
-
Stanford University: Open only to Stanford students. For more information call 202-332-6235, or visit the Stanford in Washington web site.
Also, inquire about a semester in Washington at your own college or university.
If academic credit cannot be arranged, contact the Washington, D.C. area
colleges and universities about the possibility of spending a semester
studying there and incorporating an internship into your studies. Below
is a list of the area schools and phone numbers for their admissions office:
-
George Washington University, Washington, D.C., 202-994-6040.
-
Georgetown University, Washington, D.C., 202-687-3600
-
Howard University, Washington, D.C., 202-806-2763.
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Trinity College (all women), Washington, D.C., 202-884-9400.
-
University of the District of Columbia, Washington, D.C., 202-274-6110.
-
University of Maryland, College Park, Md., 301-314-8385.
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George Mason University, Fairfax, Va., 703-993-2400.
HOUSING OPTIONS IN WASHINGTON, D.C.
Year-Round:
- YWCA Housing for Women: 235 Second Street, NE, 202-546-3255. $134 per week, includes daily breakfast and dinner. No drugs, alcohol or men allowed.
Space is limited and fills quickly.
- American University: Off Campus Housing Resource Center, 407 Butler Pavilion. 4400 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, 202-885-3270.
- George Washington University: Off Campus Housing, 202-994-1000.
- Georgetown University: Office of Off Campus Housing, (202) 687-7764.
- The Hill, classifieds
- Washington Intern Student Housing
- Mycheapapartments.com
Summer Only:
Most students choose to sublet an apartment or room in a group house during their NOW internship. Listings can be found in the Washington City Paper, The Washington Blade, or off-campus housing offices.
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