I thought the stakes were high in 2008. When I voted in my first-ever presidential race, I wanted a leader who knew that there are experiences and challenges unique to women in America. I knew that then-Senator Obama had listened to the dreams and concerns of women across the country. He listened, and then he spoke up for us all the way to the White House.

And as President, he’s continued to fight for us.

So when the First Lady launched Women for Obama yesterday, I signed up. As a young woman, I want my President to want me to succeed—as much as he wants my sister, my friends and his own daughters to succeed.

I believe in the movement that started in 2008. And I know that in order to move forward, it’s more important than ever to hold on to the ground that we’ve gained. I thought the stakes were high in 2008—but next November, the choice we make at the polls could walk back all the progress we’ve made.

President Obama has proven again and again that he’ll fight for me and for women everywhere. He has consistently encouraged women and girls to break barriers in every field, and has inspired everyone to step up and leave our nation better than we found it.

As part of Women for Obama, I’m looking forward to our next steps, and building this campaign one conversation, and one woman, at a time.