The American Conservative Union’s Annual Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington, DC, was held on February 26 through the 29. There were countless speakers to inspire conservatives young and old to learn more about and refine their own conservative values. Conservatives from all over the country gathered to hear speakers ranging from the President of the United States, Donald J. Trump to Rick Harrison of Pawn Stars.
This year’s CPAC speaker lineup featured a variety of powerful women. Nikki Haley kicked things off Wednesday night with a moving speech. After her speech, she stayed around CPAC Central and met with students and various groups for over an hour! This was a big highlight for many of the NeW women that were attending and able to meet her. Ambassador Haley’s willingness to engage with young conservatives inspires them and shows them that politicians and public figures are people too.
Some other notable women who spoke to the thousands of attendees at CPAC include, US Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao, US Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos, Ivanka and Lara Trump, Diamond and Silk, US Senators Marsha Blackburn and Joni Ernst, Katie Pavlich, Sara Carter, and many more. So many notable women made a strong impact on the CPAC main stage and spoke on varying topics, allowing young women to learn a variety of perspectives and interests within the conservative movement.
Another aspect of the conference that I enjoyed were the different vendors and booths in CPAC Central. This area was full of various sponsors, news groups, thinks tanks, and more that offered a lot more than just free buttons and stickers. This space gave students, like myself, a chance to learn about different groups that impact policy, offer internships, or groups, like NeW, that have programs on campus that they can connect with.
NeW had 45 women attend CPAC on scholarship and many more who came with other organizations. On Friday, February 28, NeW hosted our annual Women EmPower Hour at Granite City in National Harbor. The event allowed women the opportunity to mingle with other like-minded individuals, hear from a bold conservative female, and learn about all that NeW has to offer. Keynote speaker Patrice Lee Onwuka, a senior political analyst at the Independent Women’s Forum, shared her experiences as a young conservative on her college campus and the importance of young women voting, exemplifying NeW’s theme of “Conservative Women Vote.” The event was a huge success with the room overflowing with women excited to learn more and ready to get involved.
This year’s CPAC offered countless opportunities for young women to learn from those who have come before them and for chances to get even more involved in the movement. One of the biggest focuses this year was the upcoming election. NeW has helped show women the importance of voting and being proud of their conservative voice. I wouldn’t be surprised if some of the NeW women that attended CPAC this year, become speakers on the main stage in years to come.
This blog is written by Haley Supergan, intern for the Network of enlightened Women.
