On October 24, 2025, the Network of enlightened Women (NeW) hosted the 2025 Fall Capitol Hill Intern Summit, at the picturesque Capitol Hill Club, bringing together more than 40 college students, interns, and young professionals. This event combined professional development, conservative policy insight, and networking opportunities for young women launching their careers in Washington, DC.
The room buzzed with ambitious young women eager to make the most of their time on the Hill, their enthusiasm creating a lively and engaged atmosphere. Fashionably dressed in professional attire, attendees paused to capture photos on a sleek couch set against a portrait of President Dwight Eisenhower, a backdrop that echoed the summit’s focus on cultivating future leaders.
During the summit, attendees enjoyed a delicious catered lunch and free professional headshots, a testament to NeW’s commitment to equipping young women for success in DC and beyond. The Summit served as an entry to opportunities provided by NeW and a catalyst for community, providing the young women with a supportive environment for genuine conversations and meaningful connections, allowing them to connect with established conservative women and build the network essential for a career in public service.
Just weeks after NeW commemorated 21 years with a special anniversary celebration, Karin Lips, Founder and President, opened the Summit by welcoming NeW members and the many interns who had made time to attend. She expressed gratitude for the recent milestone and for all who contributed to the organization’s tremendous growth. Lips highlighted the importance of NeW’s mission to equip young conservative women with the courage and confidence to lead on campus, emphasizing the continued importance of spaces where conservative women are empowered to shape the future.
Emma Waters, a Policy Analyst at The Heritage Foundation, opened the speaker program by sharing her pro-life perspective on women’s health and its role in shaping public policy. She addressed topics such as infertility, in vitro fertilization (IVF), and reproductive healthcare—issues often overlooked in conservative circles—and underscored the importance of motherhood and family. Waters encouraged the attentive audience to champion policies that empower women to thrive both professionally and as future mothers.
Brette Carolyn Powell, Special Assistant to the President and Deputy Director of the White House Office of Public Liaison, followed by reflecting on her journey to the White House and how unexpected twists and turns ultimately led her to a career filled with purpose. Powell also shared news of her recent engagement, encouraging young women not to sacrifice marriage for professional ambition—a balance she noted she would have approached differently earlier in life.
The engaging and educational talks, combined with the opportunity to create and strengthen meaningful relationships, left a profound impact on attendees. Sharing the space with so many attentive, motivated women dedicated to their conservative principles fostered an immediate sense of belonging.
Lillian Everett, NeW alumna and current Ambassador at The Herzog Foundation, shared, “Attending the NeW Capitol Hill Intern Summit was truly the experience of a lifetime. Standing alongside remarkable women who are shaping the future of the conservative movement was amazing. It’s so inspiring to be surrounded by passionate, purpose-driven leaders making an impact at our nation’s Capitol.”
The Summit served as a clear reminder of NeW’s continued commitment to educate, equip, and empower conservative women to be principled leaders for a free society.
This blog was written by NeW Programs Intern, Sara Habach.