Meet Anna Berger, an enthusiastic junior who is eager to advance women’s rights. Anna took time out of her busy schedule to tell Her Campus about her latest endeavor, bringing the More Than Me foundation to campus and spreading the word about educational inequality throughout the world.
HC:Â What are you studying, and what other activities are you involved in?
AB: I am majoring in Psychology, and am also part of the Sweetland Minor in Writing Program. I want to eventually pursue business, so I am concentrating on organizational psychology. Currently, I am a Psychology Peer Advisor and a member of the Chi Omega Sorority, and was the VP of the Jewish Resource Center for the 2012-2013 school year.
HC:Â You recently launched the More Than Me foundation at Michigan. Can you tell us about the organization?
AB:Â The More Than Me foundation was started a couple of years ago by Katie Meyler who saw an impoverished area in need of some serious aid. Based out of West Point, Liberia, one of the worst slums in the world, the More Than Me Foundation works to get “high-risk” girls off of the streets and into school. With hopes of ending the vicious cycle that is the result of poverty and child-prostitution, the More Than Me academy fundraises and works tirelessly to get young girls in school and provide them with the education they deserve. The chapter I started here at the University of Michigan is working off of all of these same ideals. Our goal is to fundraise and raise awareness for these threatening human rights issues so that we can help in the fight to give these girls a chance to make something of themselves.
HC:Â What inspired you to bring this organization to Michigan?
AB:Â I have watched the More Than Me foundation grow since the day it was conceived. I have followed Katie as she has lead her team and her organization to one success and milestone after another. Though so much has already been done to help these kids, there is still so much more to do! I am bringing More Than Me to Michigan because there are still girls who need our help. There are over a hundred girls who are currently enrolled in the More Than Me academy, but to me, that’s not enough.
HC:Â How do you hope this experience will affect you?
AB:Â I hope this experience continues to teach and show me that there are some things that are bigger and greater than myself. Â This foundation deals with real and scary issues– issues of child prostitution, illiteracy– and it is a constant reminder to be thankful for all that I have. This organization propels me to get up and make a difference because I am lucky enough to have the resources and the skills to do so.
HC:Â How can collegiettes get involved with More Than Me?
AB: Collegiates can get involved by liking our Facebook page and staying informed on upcoming meetings and fundraising events! https://www.facebook.com/umichmtm. Also, contacting any member of the More Than Me at the University of Michigan team is an easy and fast way to catch up to what we are doing on campus!