DOVER � Maggie Fisher works daily toward her goal of bringing equality to women who desire to go topless in public places like the beach, the same as men.

In essence, she is working to Free the Nipple, the name of the organization she volunteers for in New Hampshire.

With FTN NH, Fisher logged 536 volunteer hours in the past year, and she has been awarded the President�s Volunteer Service Gold Medal Award. Many of her volunteer hours were spent engaging with the public on social media platforms by communicating with those who agree and disagree with FTN's views on female toplessness in public as well as those who aren�t sure at what to think.

In the summer, Fisher helps to organize and participates in FTN�s Go Topless Day at Hampton Beach, which includes running security with the group, coordinating with the Hampton Police Department and setting up a �safe tent� for participants. She also teaches basic self-defense moves to fellow members that would allow them to escape a dangerous situation and get help.

Whether she is at the beach or online, the 29-year-old Fisher�s mantra is to peacefully educate others about why she believes this issue is important for equality. She encourages others in FTN to meet hostility with kindness and a goal to educate.

Her volunteerism is tracked through her employer, Liberty Mutual, where she works in the information technology department. This led to Fisher being awarded the President�s Volunteer Service Award from the Corporation for National and Community Service. It is part of the Points of Light program started under President George H.W. Bush.

Fisher was also recognized by Liberty Mutual in Boston recently as one of seven in the company who received the President�s award.

In a media release, Liberty Mutual lauded Fisher and her work with FTN. �This pro-woman�s image group hosts annual events throughout NH during the summer, where they exercise their rights as equals. Ms. Fisher manages the website page, runs private self-defense lessons, organizes networking events and provides one-on-one support for members.�

The President�s award comes with a letter from signed by President Donald Trump that�s given to all the recipients. �Over this past year, you have served as a model of the American spirit. Your many hours of service has strengthened the bonds of cooperation and trust brings people together, while helping to address some of the greatest challenges of our time,� the letter to Fisher from Trump states.

While Fisher made clear she is not a Trump supporter, she�s honored to receive the praise. �Even during this time, it�s a big award to get because he is in that office,� she said. Fisher doesn�t believe Trump had anything to with it her selection. �If he knew what I was actually doing, I highly doubt I�d be getting an award,� she said.

Fisher, a Newburybort, Massachusetts native, who now lives in Dover, also serves as the Pride Ambassador for Liberty Mutual.

With FTN, one of Fisher�s missions is to change restrictive ordinances that continue to be on the books in some communities in the state, which she believes can be applied in a discriminatory way. She feels the right to go topless is enshrined in New Hampshire law and the state constitution. The second article of the state�s Bill of Rights ensures equal rights under the law. The state�s indecent exposure law state�s it's unlawful to expose genitals or �any other act of lewdness under circumstances which he or she should know will likely cause affront or alarm.�

While women who have gone topless at state beaches such as Hampton have not faced any legal challenges in recent years, the state law and constitution has not always held in favor of FTN when it comes to fighting town ordinances. In a case that Fisher was not involved with, three women were arrested in 2016 at Weirs Beach in Laconia under the local ordinance. The Laconia law on indecent exposure bans sex and nudity in public but singles out women by prohibiting the �showing of female breast with less than a fully opaque covering of any part of the nipple.� A lower court judge refused to dismiss the case, and the women appealed to the state Supreme Court.

In a 3-2 ruling issued in February, the court decided that Laconia�s ordinance does not discriminate on the basis of gender or violate the women�s right to free speech. In a dissenting opinion, Associate Justice James P. Bassett with Senior Associate Justice Gary E. Hicks concluded the ordinance was unconstitutional because it treats men and women differently. Fisher said there are other similar ordinances in the state that FTN seeks to have repealed.

Fisher also wants other states, including Massachusetts, to repeal their anti-topless laws.

In a prepared statement about her award, Fisher said, �I am honored to receive this recognition for my work, but the true honor is being able to help further the movement for women�s positive self-image. Applying laws fairly to men and women is something that I feel strongly about, and this award validates the work that we do to bring equity across genders.�

Material from the Associated Press was used in this report.