American Association of University Women

http://www.aauw.org/
The 'American Association of University Women' is a nationwide organisation and community that helps women and girls 'break through barriers' of educational, social, economic, and political issues, to ensure that they have equality within the educational and economic system. The AAUW have over 100,000 members, 1,000 branches and 500 college and university institution partners who each contribute to AAUW's 'powerful voice'. The website's homepage immediately draws emphasis to the many issues that effect women and girls today, from unequal pay to teenage sexual harassment, and what they are doing to overcome these issues for American women. In their 'About Us' section, the AAUW states their mission and value promise:
'AAUW advances equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy, and research. By joining AAUW, you belong to a community that breaks through educational and economic barriers so that all women have a fair chance.'
AAUW's main goal is to ensure that women and girls have access to higher education and 'the opportunity to achieve excellence in professions of their choice.' Without the chance of higher education it could be argued that women and girls lack specific identities, which as a result restricts their future identity and their sense of self. What I found really interesting about AAUW as an organisation, was that they actually offer the chance for women to move forward within the educational system through their leadership programmes:
These programs help women and girls break through barriers to acquire the skills they need to succeed and lead in their academic, professional, and personal lives. Each year, AAUW’s leadership programs shape the lives of thousands of women and girls.
AAUW asks for donations for each of their programmes, and this money is used to fund their programmes as well as the women and girls themselves through fellowships and grants. By creating opportunities like this, it automatically enhances women's identities as they are beginning to break through their restrictions, giving them more of an equal chance of enhancing their sense of self through educational means, which of course is the core to the organisation. The AAUW enables women and girls to secure their identity in a professional capacity.