This chapter will examine the groups and associations (thought collectives) that helped to shape Iris Runge"s opinions, behavior, and style of thinking.1 My central concern will be to locate the motivations behind her pursuit of mathematical learning and her delight in solving mathematical problems – the motivations, that is, that would ultimately lead to her career in industrial research. I hope to demonstrate, too, that her professional path cannot be disentangled from her social beliefs and activism.