Jessica Morgan

I am an adventurous optimist, a creative spirit, and a fascinated young feminist from Louisville, Ky., but I call many places home. My personal preferences, like my favorite songs, places, or foods, well they change quite often, but I am always curious about how and why the world works as it does. This curiosity has made my commitment to feminism one of the more constant aspects of my life.

My feminist interests came early, because I come from a family of strong-minded and clever people. I was a feminist before I knew the language, because I learned early to value humility and intelligence, along with adventure. My high school and undergrad years also centered on valuing self worth and the rights of others, especially women. So for me, feminism has been a natural process, an affinity to ideas that just make sense.

Currently I am an Americorps VISTA in Waterville, Maine, at Hardy Girls Healthy Women. It's a great organization, so full of life and completely committed to the well-being of girls. The organization provides programming and resources for allies of girls and of LGBTQ youth, and for the kids themselves. The staff, board, and current members are constantly generating fresh new ideas in view of their mission, that all girls and women experience equality, independence, and safety. I've been in Maine since last August, serving at Hardy Girls and learning a great deal as I make my way through this latest adventure.

I am particularly interested in educating people about what it truly means to be a feminist, because misuse of the word often leads those who entertain feminist ideas to shy away from the greater movement. I want to help others understand that it's not just an cliché term describing irreverent women, but more like a thorough thought process. I am also interested in current reproductive rights issues, and the anti-war movement.

I am academically curious about the experiences of girls and women in times of conflict and war, and I dream of working for feminist groups in Central and South America, interning at UNIFEM during graduate school, and eventually earning my Ph.D. in Gender and Women's Studies to teach at the college level, while running the Kentucky Women's Fund. I have many plans, and they tend to shift and grow just as my musical tastes or food preferences do, but I see myself as a committed feminist for life, both personally and academically. I am so thankful for the chance to participate in NOW's commitment to girls and women, and look forward to serving on the Young Feminist Task Force. Thank you!

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