Network of enlightened Women (NeW)

Founded in 2004 by Karin Lips as a book club for conservative college women, the Network of enlightened Women currently has chapters on more than 40 college campuses. ¹

Activities

The Network of enlightened Women is a nationwide network of conservative women, with chapters on college campuses and professional network chapters in cities including New York; Philadelphia; Columbus, Ohio; and Washington, D.C. NeW’s network is intended to create a community of like-minded women, enhance professional development, and connect with influential women leaders. ³ NeW also seeks to educate women about benefits of conservative principles through its “#ShesConservative” social media campaign. The campaign encourages young women to challenge the stereotypes associated with what conservative women believe and look like by sharing their photos and stories. ⁴

The Network of enlightened Women provides opportunities for women to learn about conservative values, including its three-month Opportunity Feminism Course that teaches how conservative policies empower women. This course presents “opportunity feminism,” which NeW describes as a new brand of feminism that aims to maximize freedom for women, as an alternative to modern left-feminism. ⁵ The NeW Student Media Fellowship provides hands on experience and individual coaching for learning how to effectively present a conservative viewpoint in media interviews and for written articles. ⁶

The Network of enlightened Women hosts several national programs throughout the year including gatherings like the CPAC EmPower Hour and the NeW National Conference. NeW encourages community building at its annual Leadership Retreat and honors men who respect women and demonstrate all-around kindness at its Gentlemen Showcase. ⁷ Additionally, NeW hosts an annual Lead Like a Lady Essay Contest, open to female college students and high school juniors and seniors. ⁸

Funding

The Network of enlightened Women is funded by donations from individuals, foundations, and corporations. While NeW does not disclose its donors, tax filings confirm donations from the Greater Washington Community Foundation ($756,835 in 2014), ⁹ Donors Trust ($151,000 in 2019), ¹⁰ and the 85 Fund ($100,000 in 2020). ¹¹

NeW also receives funding through membership. As of 2022, annual membership rates are $5 for students, $25 for young professionals, and $100 for general membership. ¹²

People

Board of Directors

Mary Kate Cary is the chair of the advisory board of the George and Barbara Bush Foundation and member of the Women in Civics Advisory Council at the Ronald Reagan Institute. Cary is a former deputy director of communications at the Republican National Committee. ¹³

Joanne Florino formerly worked as senior vice president of public policy at the Philanthropy Roundtable, as executive director of the Triad Foundation, as program associate at Atlantic Philanthropies, and as executive director of the Park Foundation. Florino sits on the boards of the Philanthropic Collaborative and the New York Council of Nonprofits. ¹⁴

Karin Lips is the founder and president of the Network of enlightened Women. Lips is a former resident fellow at the Harvard Institute of Politics. ¹⁵

Clarice Smith is the program director at the Philanthropy Roundtable. Smith formerly worked as the program officer at the John William Pope Foundation and as the director of media relations at the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research. ¹⁶

Other members of the board include Katie Pavlich, Steven Rhoads, and Kendall Wolfson. ¹⁷

Advisory Board

Roger Custer is the senior director of development at the Commonwealth Foundation. Custer formerly worked as CEO of America’s Future Foundation and director of major gifts at the Institute for Humane Studies. ¹⁸

Jessica Dean is the senior vice president of the Bradley Impact Fund. Dean formerly worked as an associate director at Donors Trust and as a major gifts officer at the Heritage Foundation. ¹⁹

Emily Jashinsky is the culture editor at The Federalist and a visiting fellow at the Independent Women’s Forum. Jashinsky formerly worked as a spokeswoman for Young America’s Foundation. ²⁰

Christina Sandefur is the executive vice president of the Goldwater Institute. ²¹

Betty Jane Strong sits on the board of the Advance Arkansas Institute and formerly sat on the board of Concerned Women for America. ²²

Other members of the advisory board include Kristen Soltis Anderson, Susan Charnaux, Heidi Ganahl, Mary Katharine Ham, Allison Nicholson, Lou Ann Sabatier, and Mary Beth Weiss. ¹