LUCELADDER

the “Courageistheladderonwhich
all the other virtues mount.” –Clare Boothe Luce

Volume XV, Issue 1 2010

Read the latest Policy

Express by Christina
Hoff Sommers

Page 2

Kellyanne Conway kicks

off the first CWN of 2010

Page 3

Young women at the Luce Policy Institute’s 2010 Woman of theYear

luncheon during the Conservative Politcal Action Conference

The third annual

Western Women’s
Summit features Ann
Monica Crowley Named the Luce Policy
Coulter, Bay Buchanan,
and the biggest
turnout to date
Institute’s 2010 Woman of the Year
Hundreds of young women attend luncheon in her honor and other
Pages 4-6 Luce Policy Institute events at this year’s CPAC
Grace, courage, conviction—those are
just a few of the qualities the Luce Policy
S.E. Cupp speaks at Institute looks for when selecting a woman for
the Institute’s “Going
our highest honor, the “Woman of the Year”
Rogue” CPAC panel
award. This year we chose Monica Crowley,
Page 7 a leader who influences millions through her
national radio show and frequent television
appearances. We continued our tradition of
presenting the award at a luncheon for young
Whittier Law School women during the Conservative Political Action
student April Bonifatto
brings Bay Buchanan to Conference (CPAC) in Washington, DC.
Monica Crowley speaks to a packed
her campus room of young women who came “I just love this luncheon!” said
to see her accept the Institute’s Keyne Rice, one of the attendees and a
Page 8
2010 Woman of the Year award.
sophomore at Fordham University. “I
love meeting other young women who are dedicated to conservative values,
and I love seeing a new woman honored each year for her contributions.”

(story continued inside on page 7 )

 Letter from
the
Policy Express
President by Christina Hoff Sommers
A ll too often, conservative
women are attacked and
vilified when we speak up for what’s
W hen asked, “Are you a feminist?,” most
American women say no. Feminist activists
blame the media for feminism’s poor image, but
right. A lecture we recently sponsored I believe the activists themselves have turned the
for Ann Coulter was shut down by the police after women’s movement into a caricature...today the
riotous left-wing protestors threatened violence. And movement has been taken over by aggrieved eccentrics.
other great women leaders, like Michelle Malkin, face Marching under the banner of
disgusting threats and racist insults from the “tolerant” feminism, the current activists
are fighting a gender war that few
left.
women support or understand. The
Sadly, millions of our young people face similar potential for harm is enormous.
attacks at their taxpayer-funded schools. I recently Mainstream women are going to
heard from Lauren, a student at Hood College, who have to rescue feminism from the
told me, “My professors constantly diminish and belittle feminists.
We badly need a responsible,
conservatives and do whatever they can to brainwash
Christina Hoff Sommers reality based women’s movement.
the students.” Lauren was one of several students isanauthor,lecturer,and Women in many parts of the
reporting lowered grades after she defended her resident scholar at the
American Enterprise
developing world are still
conservative views. Institute. struggling for their basic rights.
Stories like these are why your continued support
of the Clare Boothe Luce Policy Institute is so essential. Visit the Institute’s website at www.cblpi.org/issues to
read the full Policy Express article.
Bringing balance to college campuses is one of the Luce
Policy Institute’s most important achievements.
Clare Boothe Luce on Feminism:
With your continued support, the Luce Policy
“It is time to leave the question of the role of
Institute is defending conservative women leaders like
women in society up to Mother Nature—a difficult
Coulter and Malkin, and helping students like Lauren lady to fool. You have only to give women the same
who need our encouragement and resources to defend opportunities as men, and you will soon find out
conservative values on campus. Thank you for all you what is or is not in their nature. What is in women’s
do to make our work possible. nature to do they will do, and you won’t be able to
stop them. But you will also find, and so will they,
that what is not in their nature, even if they are given
every opportunity, they will not do, and you won’t be
Michelle Easton able to make them do it.”

Clare Boothe Luce

Policy Institute Board of Directors
Michelle Easton

T Staff
The Dr. Elliott & Darla Partridge he Clare Boothe Luce Policy Institute’s President
National Headquarters mission is to prepare women for Frank Donatelli
112 Elden Street, Suite P Secretary/Treasurer Michelle Easton Kristen Johnson
Herndon, Virginia 20170 effective leadership and to promote leading President Bookkeeper
(888) 891-4288 conservative women. The Institute strives to Kellyanne Conway
Alyssa Cordova Jeanne O’Connor
www.cblpi.org advance America’s women by promoting and Barb Kenney Lecture Director Administrative Director
Publisher Michelle Easton
preserving conservative principles. Ursula Meese Camille Hart Lil Tuttle
Designer/Writer Camille Hart Kate Obenshain Special Assistant Education Director
The Luce Ladder is a publication of the Clare Boothe Luce to the President
Copy Editor Kristen Johnson Policy Institute, a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization. Darla Partridge
Photos Twin Lens Photo Contributions are eligible for a tax deduction. The Institute’s Catherine Helsley
Marji Ross
Administrative Assistant
2 tax ID number is 54-1672138.
 The Conservative Women’s Network (CWN) is a monthly luncheon
co-hosted by the Luce Policy Institute and The Heritage Foundation.
Held in Washington, DC, the luncheons provide attendees with the KellyanneConway,
CWN in Review President and
opportunity to learn about current issues from conservative leaders
and connect with other women in the Washington area. For more CEO of the
information about CWN, visit www.cblpi.org/events or contact polling company,
Camille Hart at chart@cblpi.org. inc./WomanTrend,
discusses the
> In September CWN featured a special screening of 33 Minutes: key issues facing
Protecting America in the New Missile Age, a documentary that tells the conservatives
story of the very real threat foreign enemies pose to America. National in 2010.
security expert Mackenzie Eaglen spoke about the issues discussed in
the film and took questions from the audience.

> In October author and news commentator S.E. Cupp gave an

insightful talk on taking a modern approach to women’s issues. Cupp Virginia Attorney
explained how Sarah Palin’s leadership exposed the real truth about General Ken
radical feminists. Cuccinelli spoke
in December,
> In November Leslie Sanchez spoke about her latest book, You’ve
continuing CWN’s
Come a Long Way, Maybe, and how conservative women can excel in traditionofending
leadership positions. Sanchez served as an advisor to former President the year with a
George W. Bush and is a widely sought-after media analyst. a distinguished
> Each December CWN features a distinguished gentlemen speaker gentlemanspeaker.
as a special treat to the ladies in attendance. In 2009, the December
speaker was Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, a rising star in the
conservative movement. Cuccinelli is an attorney and small business November CWN
owner, and served as a Virginia state senator from 2002-2009. speaker Leslie
Sanchez (right)
> CWN kicked off in 2010 with a rousing speech by Kellyanne Conway shows off her
who shared her perspective as a pollster on the hot issues facing the latest book with
country this year. The Heritage
> In February Virginia Walden Ford, the executive director of D.C. Foundation’s
Parents for School Choice, Inc., gave an update on the school choice Bridgett Wagner.
program in Washington, DC, that has helped change the lives of so
many disadvantaged children. 
> Marjorie Dannenfelser, the the President of Susan B. Anthony List,
School choice
spoke at the March CWN. Her organization’s mission is to advance, activist Virginia
mobilize and represent pro-life women. Walden Ford
> Author Jane Hampton Cook spoke in April about her latest book speaks at the
called Stories of Faith and Courage from the War in Iraq & Afghanistan. February CWN.
This book shares inspiring, never-before-heard first-hand accounts from
medics, soldiers and chaplains in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Marjorie Dannenfelser (right) speaks to News commentator and Luce campus

April CWN speaker Jane Hampton Cook signs
former Luce intern Monica Mastracco lecturer S.E. Cupp (left) meets CWN
copies of her books for attendees.
after her remarks at CWN. attendees after her speech on feminism.

3
Kate Obenshain speaks at the Western Women’s Sum-
mit special training seminar for women in college
A student takes notes at the Summit training seminar
Bay Buchanan with Christy Lewis (left) and Kristi Paz
(right), both from Chapman University
E
nthusiastic conservative women from
across the West gathered in Santa Barbara,
California for the Clare Boothe Luce Policy
Institute’s third annual Western Women’s Summit. The
Summit, which took place March 25-27 at the Reagan
Ranch Center, was the Institute’s biggest and best to
date. The outstanding line-up of speakers included
best selling author Ann Coulter, Luce Policy Institute
Board Member and frequent Fox News commentator
Kate Obenshain, author and lecturer Bay Buchanan,
student activist April Bonifatto, health care expert Sally
Pipes and conservative filmmaker Ann McElhinney.
“Beautiful location, excellent speakers, good food—
everything was wonderful,” said one attendee.
This year the Summit included a special training
seminar for the young attendees in college, many of
whom attend liberal universities on the West Coast. The
 Megan Roberts from the LucePolicyInstitutePresidentMichelleEaston(left)andBoard
University of Missouri MembersBarbaraWellsKenney(center)andKateObenshain

seminar provided these students with the resources and

guidance they need to promote conservative principles
and speakers on campus.
The event concluded with a special treat for
attendees—a rare private tour of President Ronald
Reagan’s ranch in Santa Barbara. The modest home
sits on a beautiful, secluded piece of land with rolling
hills and spectacular views. It perfectly reflects the
humble, freedom-loving spirit of Ronald Reagan.
The Summit is open to women of all ages and
takes place each spring in Santa Barbara. If you are
interested in networking with other conservative
women and learning about key issues from top women
leaders in the conservative movement, find out how
you can attend the next Western Women’s Summit in
Summit attendees enjoy a rooftop welcome reception at
2011 by contacting the Summit coordinator Camille
the Reagan Ranch Center in downtown Santa Barbara
Hart at chart@cblpi.org or (888) 891-4288.

Summit attendees gather for a group photo at the entrance to the Reagan Ranch

5
2010 Western Women’s Summit
Speakers
“We’ve got to get in the game, we’ve got to get encouraged. We’ve got
to start speaking our beliefs courageously and loudly…it’s time for us to
take this country back because that’s what our founding fathers expect
from us, and that’s what our children expect from us.”

“I find that with conservatives, things

are stable…we have our constitution
and we abide by it. That’s how I came to
know that I had conservative beliefs.”

BayBuchanan,author,lecturerand
former US Treasuer

“If they are lying to your child in school, you

cannot allow it. You must do something about April Bonifatto, student activist at
it. Be bold, and be courageous.” Whittier Law School

“Recognize that as conservative women,

you are going to be held to a higher
standard. It is not a burden. Look at it as
an honor.”

AnnMcElhinney,conservative
filmmaker
“I’ve been dealing with liberals for a long
time and you never get them to see your
point of view by making a strong and logical Kate Obenshain, Luce Policy Institute
argument. Logic and rational—not their forte. Board Member
The way you get them to understand is when
you turn the tables on them.”

“Nancy Pelosi said a few weeks ago we

have to pass the health care legislation so
we can find out what’s in the bill. Doesn’t
Ann Coulter, best selling author and that scare you? “
syndicated columnist
Sally Pipes, health care expert and
PresidentofthePacificResearchInstitute
 Undercover Study Shows Students Prone to Socialism
C O
by Alyssa Cordova
HumanEvents.com
March 18, 2010
I hate to say it, but my generation is com-
pletely clueless. Coddled from the cradle
through college, many of my peers seem to
sincerely believe the world revolves around
their needs.
Most public schools no longer reward
success and achievement, but are more
concerned with undeserved praise in the
name of boosting self esteem. They are
creating a generation of “Obama Zombies”
-- as my friend and author Jason Mattera
calls them -- looking to the government to
solve their own and the rest of the world’s
problems.
We have been raised with subtle socialism.
Our brains have been programmed with buzz
words like “tolerance” and “diversity” and
it has gotten to point that even when the
M M E N T A R Y
glaring inequities of wealth redistribution be completely unfair.
are right in front of our faces many still fail But when I turned the
to see them. topic over to income
I saw this first hand when I went under redistribution their
cover at my school asking my classmates attitudes completely
at George Mason University to sign a changed.
phony petition authorizing the school’s “That’s totally
administration to redistribute grade point different,” they argued.
averages (GPA). Using arguments similar “Those millionaires
to those liberals use to justify socialist don’t need that money; Alyssa Cordova is the
entitlement programs, I explained to them they won’t miss it.” Lecture Director at
that “there are students at this school who The “me, me, me” the Clare Boothe Luce
Policy Institute.
are in danger of not graduating due to low generation only cares
grades, and it’s not necessarily their fault. about unfairness when it directly effects
Many of them come from low income families them, as it would with GPA redistribution.
and have to work their way through school They are easily persuaded by the Left with
and don’t have time to study because of their gooey words like “hope” and “change”
jobs.” because they aren’t directly affected by these
Ninety percent of the students I spoke tax-raising policies—yet.
with thought this was the most ridiculous
Visit cblpi.org to continue reading Alyssa’s
thing they had ever heard. They refused to
full article.
sign the petition because they believed it to

(continued from page 1)

Luce Ladies at CPAC
In addition to her work in radio and TV, Monica Crowley is a columnist, blogger, and best-selling author. She earned two masters
degrees and a Ph.D. in international affairs from Columbia University. Monica is an incredibly intelligent and accomplished woman who
persuasively articulates her beliefs, yet most liberals in the media and on college campuses do all they can to silence strong conservative
women like her. That’s why at the Clare Boothe Luce Policy Institute we are eager to honor leaders like Monica Crowley.
Monica gave an inspiring speech and encouraged the young women in attendance to not back down from their beliefs.
“This luncheon has given me the boost of courage I need to chase my dreams and not back down just because my opinion may not
be the most popular,” said Emily, a freshman at the University of Missouri.
The luncheon was just one of several exciting events hosted by the Institute at this year’s CPAC. The Institute’s booth in the exhibit
hall was constantly abuzz as attendees lined up for calendar signings featuring the women in our 2010 Great American Conservative
Women calendar. Phyllis Schlafly, Fox News commentator S.E. Cupp, and Luce Board Members Kate Obenshain and Marji Ross gave
excellent presentations on a panel discussion called “Going Rogue: Women Changing the Face of Conservatism.” They discussed the
failures of feminism, the need for more conservative women leaders, and how to successfully balance family and career. The room was
overflowing with students and the event was covered in an article on FoxNews.com.

S.E. Cupp (left) poses with a Emily Reilly from Furman An attendee snaps “Going Rogue” panelists Marji Ross, S.E. Cupp,
young woman after her remarks University leads the Pledge a photo during an Phyllis Schlafly and Kate Obenshain
of Allegiance at the Woman Institute event at CPAC 7
of the Year luncheon
 Campus Lectures

From left to right: Kate Obenshain at the University of Virginia; Bay Buchanan at Wellesley College; Christina Hoff
Sommers at Harvard University; Nonie Darwish at Whittier Law School; Phyllis Schlafly at Furman University

The Luce Ladies have been taking “Having Bay Buchanan come
college campuses by storm! Working speak was my most memorable
with students across the country, the experience as a student activist,”
Institute is sending Luce speakers to April said. “The experience of having
campuses like Furman University in Bay on our campus was excellent and
South Carolina, Harvard University, received very commendable remarks
Wellesley College in Massachusetts after and to this day.”
and the University of Virginia. Because of her dedication to
One of the bright student leaders advancing conservatism at her
making a difference on her campus school, Luce chose April as the
is April Bonifatto, a third-year December “Student Spotlight” which
student at Whittier Law School. includes a homepage feature story on
As president of the Women’s Law www.cblpi.org. Visit the Institute’s
Student Association at Whittier, Whitter Law Sc
website to read more about April’s Bonifatto (left)
hool student A
pril
April worked with the Luce Policy story and to learn how to bring recently brough
Buchanan to sp t Bay
Institute to bring Bay Buchanan to eak on her campu
a dynamic conservative woman wasselectedasth s and
eInstitute’sDecem
speak at Whittier in November 2009. speaker to your campus. “Student Spotlig
ht”for her leader
ber
ship.
Luce Ends

aney
LucePolicyInstitutestaffvisitwithPatriciaMulv
Foun datio n.
andEllenMcPhersonoftheLillianWells
The Wells Foundation has been a partn er to the Luce President Michelle Eas LucePresidentMichelleEastonsatdown
ton
Institute on many key projects over the year
s. met with a longtime friend with C-SPAN’s Brian Lamb for an hour
of the
Institute, Mrs. Dorothy Gri
ffin, in longinterviewwhichairedseveraltimes.
March.