The Network of enlightened Women has been a vital part of my college career – helping me to develop my leadership skills, bring intellectual diversity to my campus, and have the courage to stand up for my conservative beliefs. I have seen firsthand the ways that NeW empowers conservative women on college campuses today to be the next generation of leaders.
Going to school in Washington, DC had always been a goal of mine and when I received the opportunity to earn my degree at The Catholic University of America I was beyond excited, as well as overwhelmed. I was leaving my small town for an overwhelmingly liberal city. While I was excited to experience a diverse set of viewpoints, I was nervous that as a conservative woman my voice might get drowned out and my character attacked.
Then I discovered the NeW chapter on my college campus. As a freshman I showed up to the welcome meeting at the start of the fall semester and met more than 50 passionate and kind conservative women! I wanted to find out more. I then met with our chapter’s executive board and found them to be genuine, hardworking young women, and I knew that this was a group I wanted to get involved with.
After that first meeting I attended every event that our NeW chapter sponsored. I was able to hear from many different speakers including Giovanna Pence, Director of Women’s Engagement in the White House Office of Public Liaison; Romina Boccia, Director of the Grover M. Hermann Center for the Federal Budget at The Heritage Foundation; Christina Bain, Director of Babson College’s Initiative on Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery; Colleen Harmon, Intern Program Manager at The Heritage Foundation; and more, as well as form friendships with like-minded young women. Thanks to NeW, I was able to tour the White House and attend a policy briefing on empowering women! As a member of NeW I also had the opportunity to go to CPAC on scholarship, where I heard from great leaders in the conservative movement.
These experiences have allowed me to grow intellectually and remain passionate about fighting for conservative principles.
In the past year, staying passionate was difficult when campuses were closed and we were stuck at home. But one bright spot in this dark year was when I got to attend the NeW Leadership Retreat in Cincinnati, Ohio last summer. At Retreat I learned how to be an effective leader in my NeW chapter and on my campus. I also left inspired to not let the Covid pandemic hold our chapter back from growing and having a successful year. It was the inspiring ladies at NeW who reminded me to never let an opportunity for growth go to waste and to remain positive in challenging times.
NeW has continued to educate, equip, and empower me in my professional goals. During my spring semester of my sophomore year, I had the opportunity to be a part of the NeW Student Media Fellowship, through which I was able to strengthen my communications and writing skills. Through the fellowship I was grateful to hear from women in the NeW Professional Network who took the time to share about their experiences in their careers and provide insight on how we too can succeed in the field of communications. This experience taught me that in our careers as young women we can and should empower one another, not tear each other down. NeW has constantly provided tools and resources to help myself and other conservative women become leaders and accomplish our goals.
Most recently I have been given the opportunity to work as a communications intern with NeW this summer. While my internship has only just begun, I have already seen tremendous personal and professional growth in myself thanks to the mentorship that I have received from the NeW team.
While I could go on about all the amazing opportunities that NeW provides, if there was one thing I had to be most grateful for it would be the women of NeW. Whether it be connecting with the women on my executive board, a conference call with a successful NeW alumna, or a story shared of how one chapter from across the country has grown and found their place on campus, I have been able to connect and learn from the experiences of other conservative women, which has inspired me to pursue and find success with my own goals.
I am so grateful to NeW for teaching me and for providing an opportunity for conservative women to empower one another.
Best wishes,
Franchetta Groves NeW Communications Intern
Upcoming Events
NeW Summer Book Club
Starts Monday, June 7 Register Here
Conservative Woman of the Month: Senator Cynthia Lummis
Thursday, June 10 at 2pm ET
Watch on Facebook Live
Senator Lummis was sworn into the U.S. Senate in January, becoming the first woman to serve as U.S. Senator from the state of Wyoming. As a U.S. Representative from 2008 to 2016, Senator Lummis earned her reputation as a no-nonsense conservative. She was also a founding member of the House Freedom Caucus, a group consisting of conservative Members of the House of Representatives. Prior to serving in Congress, Senator Lummis spent eight years as Wyoming State Treasurer and 14 years as a member of the Wyoming State House and Senate.
Women in the Workforce: A Conversation on Motherhood and Family-Friendly Politics
Thursday, June 10 at 7pm ET Register Here
Join the NeW Professional Network for a virtual discussion with Rachel Greszler, Research Fellow in Economics, Budget, and Entitlements at The Heritage Foundation. She will be discussing the unintended consequences of labor policies aiming to help women and families, as well as sharing her own journey to balancing a career and motherhood.
NeW Summer Book Club Starts Monday, July 5 Register Here
Want to advance conservative ideas on campus? Want to be part of a positive women’s empowerment organization? Interested in an entrepreneurial environment with a team that wants to see you grow professionally?
Join NeW, the nation’s premier organization for conservative university women. Apply today or share with a friend you think would be a good fit.
In the past year, staying passionate was difficult when campuses were closed and we were stuck at home. But one bright spot in this dark year was when I got to attend the NeW Leadership Retreat in Cincinnati, Ohio last summer. At Retreat I learned how to be an effective leader in my NeW chapter and on my campus. I also left inspired to not let the Covid pandemic hold our chapter back from growing and having a successful year. It was the inspiring ladies at NeW who reminded me to never let an opportunity for growth go to waste and to remain positive in challenging times.
While I could go on about all the amazing opportunities that NeW provides, if there was one thing I had to be most grateful for it would be the women of NeW. Whether it be connecting with the women on my executive board, a conference call with a successful NeW alumna, or a story shared of how one chapter from across the country has grown and found their place on campus, I have been able to connect and learn from the experiences of other conservative women, which has inspired me to pursue and find success with my own goals. 
