Hello John,

Being a conservative on a liberal campus can be lonely and isolating for many young women. The Network of enlightened Women, known as NeW, educates, equips, and empowers women so that they can find their community of conservative peers, make lifelong friendships, and leave a positive impact on their college campuses. 

Recently, I had the opportunity to sit down with two women from our American University chapter, AJ Given and Ella Yard, to discuss their experiences with NeW. It was through joining their university’s NeW chapter that AJ and Ella met and ultimately became best friends.

Their friendship has helped them each become stronger leaders. They have worked together to host events ranging from a roundtable discussion on human trafficking to a tour of the DC monuments to a professional development training on how to succeed on Capitol Hill.

NeW at American has helped foster a community for young conservative women on a liberal campus.  

“NeW brings a lot of community that I know I wanted coming into college but I was scared I wasn’t going to be able to find coming to American (University),” AJ shared. “NeW has made me not only a better conservative, but a better candidate for different positions, and I’d say even a better woman.”  

AJ and Ella shared how they became close so quickly because of their shared values and involvement with NeW.  

“AJ is my closest friend at AU,” Ella said, who after coming back to campus post-COVID shared that she no longer wanted to be silenced for her political beliefs. It is because of the support she found in her friends at NeW that she feels ready to be a leader for conservative women on campus. She was hesitant to share her opinions at first but after meeting AJ and another chapter leader, Abby Daniels, she felt empowered to step outside her comfort zone.  

“Even if twenty people don’t like what I have to say, I know I have those two people who will stand by me,” Ella shared.  

Through public policy discussions and professional development training, young women like AJ and Ella are finding the courage to share their conservative perspective on campus. Are you encouraged by the intellectual diversity and narrative NeW women are bringing to campus? Would you please share this newsletter with a student or young professional who you think would benefit from this community. 

She will join us on Thursday, November 10 at 7pm ET for an exclusive online event to discuss the book and leadership lessons she has learned throughout her career. 

Register to join us and have the opportunity to submit a question for the Q&A.