Conservative women from all over the country packed the Marriott Rivercenter Friday for the first of three days of Turning Point USA’s Women’s Leadership Summit, where attendees gained firsthand experience in maintaining their faith and womanhood.
Attendees listened intently as TPUSA CEO Erika Kirk, Ark. Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, President of Students for Life of America Kristan Hawkins, Culture Apothecary podcast host Alex Clark and more spoke at the event.
“As women, we are made for obligations that are greater than ourselves. It’s in our DNA,” Kirk said. “That’s why it’s nearly impossible to find satisfaction in this world when you are relentlessly focused on what you can get versus what you can contribute.”
The weekend-long event drew hundreds to the Alamo City, as the summit serves as a vehicle for women in the conservative political movement to be empowered by their values and faith.
“My identity is very simple: it is as a Christian,” Sanders said. “It is only in Christ that I can be forgiven, loved, and ultimately set free. None of my other titles, roles, or responsibilities in life can ultimately fill my heart in a lasting, fulfilling way. Only Jesus can do that.”
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley student Nathaly Perez immigrated from Cuba at 8-years-old and said she is concerned about her generation’s support for socialism.
“Through my university, I have had clubs that have defended socialism, and they’ve never lived in a socialist country, but they defend it,” Perez said. “I try to explain to them how, in order to keep a country going, you need to keep the economy going, and that’s what capitalism does. I think it’s wonderful that TPUSA stands against it (socialism).”
For Kelsi Mann of Conway, Ark., she is concerned about the divisiveness facing the country.
“We can’t hear each other out, and I really wish that could be improved upon to bring each other together again,” Mann said. “I feel that they (TPUSA) are trying their best to bridge that divide now because they give the other side the opportunity to speak. The other side doesn’t necessarily give us that. They always want to constantly shut us down, to kick us out and completely ignore us. Whereas, at least on our side of the aisle, we actually try to hear you out and hear where you’re coming from and listen to your story.”
The Women’s Leadership Summit continues through Sunday with speakers Riley Gaines, Texas Sen. Angela Paxton, former White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany, and more scheduled to appear.
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