NeW caught up with the women from NeW at Virginia Tech. Learn about the great work these women are doing on campus from their e-board members.
Why is NeW important to your chapter?
NeW has provided free-thinking women at Virginia Tech a place to congregate and not be afraid of cancel culture. Being able to talk with like-minded women has allowed our members to become more confident in their beliefs and stand up for themselves and each other. College is a place for education and experience; however, it has turned into a place where professors change students’ minds about their values and views. The Network of enlightened Women has given us a new outlet to get everything we want out of college while still preserving free thought.
What kind of impact has your chapter had on campus?
We had conservative groups on campus prior to NeW, but none of the organizations available were designed solely to encourage women. Lots of times, women are overlooked in the conservative movement because it is falsely believed to be a more masculine ideology. NeW has reminded our women on campus that the future is female. We have surprised the Virginia Tech campus by showing up across multiple platforms and being unapologetically ourselves.
What has been your chapter’s favorite event/meeting to host and why?
Last semester, we hosted a professional development event called “The Right Style.” We had a coordinator from the Leadership Institute (Sarah) share her passion for hair and beauty with our members and go over some professional hairstyles. It was a discussion and live action event during which Sarah took us step-by-step through multiple styles and answered tons of questions about products and different hair types and provided us with useful tips and DIY hacks! We had excellent feedback from the zoom event and we look forward to hosting more style-based professional development events in the future.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to start a chapter on their campus?
Form an executive board that you trust! Make sure to give everyone roles because it is important for membership that everyone feel necessary and needed. We would highly encourage every college campus to consider forming a chapter. You never know how many women are silent conservatives and are in search for like-minded women.
Learn how you can get involved with the chapter on your campus or find out how you can bring NeW to your school. Contact us if you have any questions.
