I applied to intern at Indy Maven because I wanted to be a part of an organization that uplifts and supports women within our Indianapolis community. I’ve always been a bit of a girly girl, interested in all things that make being a woman so incredible, and appreciating feminine perspectives on topics ranging from travel, to style, to food. I love sharing the things I love with others, so finding Indy Maven — a publication that does just that — felt like the perfect fit.
Currently, I am a senior at Butler University. Over the past three years, I’ve had an amazing time getting to know and explore Indianapolis, but throughout this past fall, I have learned so much more about the women, places, and events that make this city so special than ever before.
I am a firm believer that women are the foundation of each community, offering up compassion, dedication, and passion into everything they do. I have seen this passion and drive especially through the Indy Maven leadership team. Starting each of my Tuesdays — my busiest day of the week — meeting with Leslie Bailey and Abby Gardner always set a positive tone for the rest of my day. Seeing them operate and work together to make sure stories were ready to go for publication on time showed me what an ideal team of strong women looks like.
At Butler, I serve as a co-editor of the opinion section for our student newspaper, The Butler Collegian. I have never really felt comfortable in leadership roles — to an extent, thoughts of inadequacy and self-criticism always seem to seep in and get in the way. Seeing the leadership team at Indy Maven thrive together has helped me grow into my own leadership role immensely, giving me confidence in my own capabilities.
I chose to be an editor for the opinion section because I didn’t want to sacrifice my own unique writing voice or style. Indy Maven’s voice drew me in because it was so similar to my own, and I wanted to be able to strengthen that voice with the guidance of industry professionals. This internship has allowed me to do just that, and I feel more confident and comfortable with my writing because of it.
Because of Indy Maven, I have grown into a stronger, more confident, and independent version of myself. Not only was I surrounded by excellent role models within Indy Maven, but I was also exposed to strong women in our Indianapolis community every single week that inspired me and showed me so many ways to put myself out there and have my voice heard.
Because of Indy Maven, I have grown into a stronger, more confident, and independent version of myself.
I’m grateful for the time I spent with this organization because I now know what it truly means to be a Maven, and I hope to embody these learned qualities for the rest of my life.
Katie Freeman was Indy Maven’s editorial intern. Learn more about Indy Maven internships and employment opportunities here.
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