NeW aims to spread ideals and foster intellectual growth

By: Brittany Lane

Posted: 9/23/09

After interning for the Republican National Committee two years ago and working 40 hours a week this past summer at the Clare Boothe Luce Policy Institute, Kelsey Budd ('11) decided she wanted to create an organization at the College devoted to discussing and spreading conservative ideals, particularly for women.

She examined existing clubs on campus, such as the College Republicans and the Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance, but she found that none of the organizations offered "a real voice for conservative women."

While interning this summer, she befriended the president of the UVA chapter of the Network of Enlightened Women (NeW). As stated in its constitution, the purpose of NeW is to foster the education and leadership of conservative university women and to focus on promoting conservative principles and intellectual diversity.

Budd believes that a liberal viewpoint prevails on campus and wishes to offer an alternative forum for discussion about ideas and people often forgotten about on college campuses. "It's hard sometimes when you find your voice being disregarded," said Budd. While attending the National NeW Conference over the summer, she received strong support from the organization's leaders, including Executive Director Holly Carter, to launch NeW at William and Mary.

NeW started at UVA in 2004, and soon spread to over a dozen other campuses. A chapter operated at William and Mary in 2005 but fell apart due to lack of interest. Budd envisions meetings as a forum for open discussion meant for conservative women to congregate, but also welcoming members with liberal ideals, even including men.

"An important part of this club is the enlightenment," said Budd. Members also read books espousing conservative ideals to enrich themselves. Budd said that she would consider suggesting liberal-minded books as well, as "it's important to understand both sides."

NeW would not act as a venue for campaigning, but rather focus on spreading ideas and promoting informed debate. Budd noted that the key topics of discussion will revolve around particularly pertinent issues such as health care, global warming, and the economy. Members will discuss more socially conservative topics as well, though they will pay more attention to policy-driven arguments.

The reestablishment of NeW seeks to "infiltrate campus with a new way of thinking," said Budd. "We want to become more effective leaders on campus." She hopes to collaborate with other related organizations, such as the College Republicans, to bring a group of aggressive thinkers together to plan events.

With the semester well underway, Budd mentioned two main goals she has for NeW. First, she wants to get a steady group of women interested in learning more and enlightening themselves. Secondly, she plans to screen director Ann McElhinney's documentary film "Not Evil Just Wrong" at the College on its premiere date of October 18th. This would coincide with a global warming debate, as the film acts as a rebuttal to Al Gore's "An Inconvenient Truth."

NeW intends to start regular meetings within the next couple weeks after receiving an effective charter at the beginning of the semester. The club's executive board consists of five students, including Budd as president. For further information about the Network of Enlightened Women contact Kelsey Budd at kibudd@wm.edu.