It’s not often you see a group of young, staunchly conservative women together in a room.  

But on September 18, just blocks away from the Capitol in Washington, DC, the Network of enlightened Women (NeW) hosted a bustling exception. 

More than 40 women attended NeW’s Capitol Hill Intern Summit to hear from leaders in research and communication, network with fellow conservative women interning and working in DC, and enjoy a tasty luncheon. 

With pocket Constitutions in hand, a select group spent the day before advocating for conservative principles on the Hill for NeW’s 2026 Advocacy Day, including a stop at Congresswoman Kat Cammack’s office at 9am.  

They also met with Senator Marsha Blackburn’s legislative correspondent, Senator Ron Johnson’s legislative counsel, and the U.S. Department of Education’s deputy chief of staff for policy and programs. 

Despite a busy past 24 hours, guests at the summit kept their bright smiles and curious minds. 

A sophomore at the George Washington University asked Chelsea Follett, Research Fellow at the Cato Institute’s Center for Global Liberty and Prosperity, for her rebuttal to the demonization of capitalism and free markets on campus. 

“How do you kind of counteract that mindset and that idea that it is so much better and so much more intellectual and educated to be negative?” she asked. 

“Prosperity is not the default,” Follett stressed. “The world in which you were born is not the default and should not be taken for granted. It was painstakingly constructed. We have inherited this incredible, modern economy.”  

Those who took notes at the event, as several did, left with plenty to take away. 

From toxic bosses to dream jobs, NeW’s communications panel gracefully fielded challenging questions about navigating a competitive career landscape in the age of social media. 

“Careers aren’t linear,” Ally Triolo, Election Integrity Communications Director for the RNC, asserted. “You’ll remember the times that pushed you because [they] led you to your dreams.” 

“You’re working to earn a career one day where you won’t be having [to] grind that entire time,” Sarah Gallagher, Director of New Media at the National Republican Senatorial Committee, counseled. 

One University of Kansas student wrote a thank-you email to NeW staff saying she had an “incredible… meaningful and enjoyable” time. 

To support events like this, consider donating to NeW to help educate, equip, and empower the next generation of conservative women. 

This blog was written by NeW Social Media Coordinator, Stephanie Samsel.