Junior Katherine Rendon first began to understand the importance of gender equality this past summer when she read a number of books with strong feminist undertones.  Over the course of three months, her passion for women’s rights developed into a tangible instrument for change.  Since December of 2012, Rendon has worked as an intern for 5 for Fairness, a free online campaign that provides $5000 in grants to non-profit organizations that promote women’s rights and gender equality.

5 for Fairness creates teams for these non-profit organizations; each team then campaigns through the 5 for Fairness website.  Community members, who have signed up to play an active role on the site, evaluate the teams on their presentation and ultimately vote for the team of their choice.  The team with the most votes wins the grant; however, the 5 for Fairness organization stresses that because it shares the stories and testimonials of the other teams, there are no real winners.  Members of the organization, or 5fers, believe bringing awareness through these teams is a prize in of itself.  As an intern, Rendon is responsible for finding and assembling non-profit organizations for prospective teams that will hopefully win the large grant.  In particular, she searches for organizations that echo her own sentiments.

“I gravitate toward organizations that promote education in women,” said Rendon.  “I do not know where I would be without my education, and I’m so fortunate that I’m able to learn.  I want to give to other women so they can have the same opportunities I do.”

Not only does Rendon build the foundation for prospective teams but she also fosters the cause by writing articles for the 5 for Fairness website.  Moreover, she works as the social media manager, tending to the organization’s Facebook and other social networking sites.  Rendon effectively uses the web to make a difference, something made evident by her unmarred track record.  Her past two teams, Girls International and One Village at a Time, have both won $5000 grants.

“It is very rewarding to check in with the teams I led,” said Rendon.  “When I maintain communications with past teams, I see how they utilize our grants.  I watch change be set into action.”

In the future Rendon hopes that she will be able to apply what she has learned at 5 for Fairness and implement it in her daily life.  With her strong feminist beliefs and determination to make a change, Rendon is likely to make a strong impact on society’s gender roles.