Intern Spotlight: Maura Crenshaw
Maura Crenshaw is a Master’s student in the Western Carolina University social work program with an undergraduate degree in Psychology from UNC Greensboro. Maura’s from Charlotte. She’s interning with YWCA CEO Diana Sierra, focusing on racial justice, advocacy, and staff engagement. She is already an important part of our programs, presenting a “Lunch and Learn” to staff and the community about The American Dream, and hosting two Racial Justice Workshops. Maura started with us in February and will be returning in fall for the entire school year, and we are so lucky to have her! We recently sat down with her to learn more about her, and you can read the full interview below.
Tell me a little bit about yourself and what brought you to the YWCA
I’m from Charlotte, NC. I went to the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and majored in Psychology with a minor in Spanish. I’m currently an MSW graduate student at Western Carolina University. I’m passionate about mental health and political social work. I aspire to be a clinical therapist. I came to the YWCA because I’m passionate about social justice, especially pertaining to marginalized groups like women and POC.
Tell me about your internship at the YW. I’m especially interested in the recent set of workshops you did on the RJC theme of “American Dream.” What drew you to that topic?
At the YWCA, I do a number of things. I’ve volunteered at Buncombe County Community Markets, co-facilitated Racial Justice workshops, reviewed and entered data for our Light a Path program, represented the YW at a Women’s Health fair, and so much more. For the Until Justice Just Is campaign, I was drawn to the theme of “The American Dream” because I felt like it was relevant to current events and conversations in American society; this theme can also inspire and encourage participants to think outside of what they were taught or previously believed about the “American Dream”; I wanted to emphasize the importance of imagining your own American dream through a racial justice lens where all people can thrive.
Who was an important or inspirational woman/person in your life growing up (and why?)
My Aunt. She took me under her wing after my mother passed at a young age. She has always supported my dreams and encouraged me to show up authentically and to do my best in spite of challenges or hardships.
What are you most proud of in your work with the YW - so far? I know you will be with us for a while, and I can’t wait to see what you do next!
I’m most proud about hosting two RJC workshops. Racial Justice is a topic that I am very passionate about and I’m happy that I got the opportunity to create my own educational & interactive material for the staff and members at the YW. Also, public speaking can be difficult for me sometimes, so this allowed me to strengthen that skill. I look forward to hosting more events surrounding mental health next semester.
What motivates you and inspires you most?
I’m motivated by my own lived experiences and the desire to make a tangible impact on the lives of others through advocacy and developing relationships with clients in my clinical practice—watching their growth, resilience, and transformation.
I’m inspired the most by the impactful work that I see being done at the YW. Just one example is Crystal, who leads the Getting Ahead program to empower women and further their knowledge in financial literacy.
What would people be surprised to know about you?
People would be surprised to know that I studied abroad in Costa Rica during the summer of 2023 and that I speak Spanish with proficiency.
