WASHINGTON -- Last Friday, the Network of Enlightened Women, an organization founded at the University in the fall of 2004 to promote a conservative women's movement, held its first annual national conference in Washington, D.C.
At the conference, entitled "A NeW Generation of Women," NeW founder and University Law student Karin Agness led women from more than 30 colleges as they gathered to strategize and share their schools' chapters of NeW. The women unveiled four additional chapters experience with NeW and the Enlightened Woman of the Year was recognized.
NeW, which promotes the conservative women's movement, was founded at the University in the fall of 2004 under Agness' leadership. Agness said she was pleased with the conference's turnout.
With the four new chapters launched Friday, Agness said there are 12 in total "from Virginia to California."
At the conference, Drake University's NeW president Danielle Sturgie was named Enlightened Woman of the Year. Sturgie said she was both honored and thankful to be recognized for her dedication and commitment to the Drake University chapter of NeW.
Before she installed NeW at Drake, Sturgis said there was "nothing on campus encouraging me." She added that she started a chapter of NeW because she was, "trying to further the voice of women."
After accepting her award, she spoke to the group of women about the successes and challenges she faced as a NeW president.
"Feminism has been hijacked," Sturgie said. "As Karin [Agness] says, we need to redefine it."
After Sturgie spoke to the group, Agness said there was a breakout session so all the women could meet each other. There was also a strategy session to come up with ideas on how to improve each chapter of NeW.
In addition to Sturgie, three other women spoke to the group, including the High Point University NeW president and two University NeW members, second-year College student Bridget Brophy and third-year College student Christine Byker. Agness said they spoke about the three pillars of NeW -- women and politics, networking, and enlightenment.
Agness said it was a Time magazine article that inspired her to organize NeW's first ever annual conference.
"There was a Time magazine article that came out in June that generated a lot of interest in NeW around the country," Agness said. "There were a lot of women in D.C. interning, and I was meeting a lot of them individually."
Agness said she decided that holding a conference for the interested women would accomplish one of NeW's main goals, creating a broader network.
"We're building friendships with women who share the same principles," Agness said.
Agness said she was extremely pleased with the result.
"I thought this conference was a huge success for us and a huge turning point in the growth of NeW," Agness said. "This summer has really launched us on the national scene."
Politics Prof. Steven Rhoades, an informal adviser of NeW, said he's watched the organization evolve since its birth at the University.
He said he was not at the conference on Friday, but he gives a lot of credit to Karin Agness.
"There's a real gap in many colleges," Rhoads said. "Many women's centers refuse to admit men and women are different and it's something they should discuss."
Rhoads said NeW started out as an idea to fill a void and has since become a group that faces challenges and raises issues.
Rhoads added that the conference is evidence that NeW "obviously struck a chord."
Agness, who will be attending law school at the University, passed her leadership role onto the University's second NeW president, fourth-year College student Meredith Ramsey.
Agness said she has been satisfied with all NeW has accomplished in less than two years.
"You get some women together and you never know what you are going to accomplish," Agness said. "It is important to surround yourself with people who share the same principles and challenge yourself that way."
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