Ever since I was little, I have always had a drive. I work hard, and I never give up on what I believe in. If I have created a mission for myself, I always complete it. I love being a conservative young woman because I know that I can reach my goals by being independent, strong, and not have to rely on the government. This mentality has not always been a constant for me. As I have grown older, my peers opinions of me have grown stronger. I have been unfairly mistreated for my beliefs, and I have had the idea impressed in me that if I disagree with people on other sides of the political spectrum I am radical. Recently, I got the opportunity to attend an event with guest speaker Sarah Sanders. She spoke passionately about her beliefs and explained to us how horrifically one can be treated because of their values.

Most people would be discouraged by the constant slander and harassment she faces, but Sarah stands firm. Afterward, I got the opportunity to talk to her. I asked her if she had any advice for young conservative women who were on their way to college. I explained to her how I have faced a lot of grief because of my stance on political issues. As a conservative woman, I quickly realized that my opinion was automatically regarded as incorrect or at the very least uninformed. Sarah expressed empathy. Not only has experienced this ridicule in a personal setting, but she is constantly being poorly depicted by media outlets. Sarah is walking on eggshells. Everyday she has to be precise with her words and actions. She is barked at by biased reporters, torn apart in articles, and shunned by females around the world. But her advice to me was thought-provoking and wise. She expressed to me the importance of patience. Not everyone is going to like what I have to say, but I should never let that stop me from using my voice. She told me to be proud to be part of a movement that can lift up women without driving down men. She affirmed to me that I am the difference.

I was inspired. Women like Sarah are dealing with the harsh reality of what being a Republican truly looks like, and understand that it only gets harder. The world is not the same as it was 10 years ago. Our country’s values and traditions have dramatically shifted, and the college dynamic is changing. Communication and education will never look the same, but my views are solidified. Being a young Republican woman has given me the finest role models and most inspiring group of people to create community with. Through women like Sarah, I have learned how I will best cope with a sense of political ostracization on a college campus. I have learned the importance of lifting others up, and I have learned the importance the role that young Republican women play in society.