  The axial vector and tensor charge, defined as the first moments of the
forward nucleon matrix elements of corresponding quark currents, are essential
for characterizing the spin structure of the nucleon. However, the transversity
distribution and thus the tensor charge decouple at leading twist in deep
inelastic scattering, making them hard to measure. Additionally, the
non-conservation of the tensor charge makes it difficult to predict. There are
no definitive theoretical predictions for the tensor charge, aside from several
model dependent calculations. We present a new approach that exploits the
approximate mass degeneracy of the light axial vector mesons ($a_1$(1260),
$b_1$(1235) and $h_1$(1170)) and uses pole dominance to calculate the tensor
charge. The result is simple in form. It depends on the decay constants of the
axial vector mesons and their couplings to the nucleons, along with the average
transverse momentum of the quarks in the nucleon.
