Two years ago I stumbled upon a new twitter account but I couldn’t have imagined that a simple social media outlet would be responsible for all that was to come.
During my senior year of high school I came to realize that my beliefs aligned with the Republican Party platform and fiscal conservatism. Being born and raised in California really meant that the school system primarily taught one side of the political aisle and it’s not hard to guess which one. Moving to a red state for college only re-affirmed my political ideology. However, I felt too intimidated to speak out and too worried that people would become angry with the opinions I had formed.
I can’t tell you the exact date or even what that very tweet contained, but I can tell you that it led me to the most amazing opportunities, colleagues, and experiences. Turning Point has taken me under their wing as a student, leader, and friend. I was able to attend their Winter in West Palm Beach conference and Young Women’s Leadership Summit for two consecutive years as well as the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) as an activist for the organization. I quickly became inspired during the very first conference I had attended in Florida where I met Charlie Kirk, former Congressman Joe Walsh, James O’ Keefe, and others. To keep the passion and fire burning, I returned to campus with a goal; a goal that quickly unraveled into new opportunities. I became an active member in College Republicans and was later named president. I was a volunteer on Senator Marco Rubio and Senator Cruz’s presidential campaigns, as well as local campaigns in Indiana. Grassroots activism isn’t emphasized enough because those experiences of door knocking and phone calling led me to an internship position with a congresswoman whom I admire greatly.
Turning Point USA encouraged me with ideas and brought me to people with incredible stories who prove the organization’s mission to be true. They gave me a platform to speak my mind and a family to do it with. While each member in the organization has his or her own political beliefs ranging from independent to tea party, we all acknowledge one fundamental truth; BIG GOVERNMENT SUCKS. So as I head into my senior year of undergraduate studies and become the founder and president of my campus’s Turning Point chapter- I am nothing less than grateful. One man’s mission became a movement, one tweet became an opportunity, and one conference completely changed my life.
xoxo
-C
Brunette In The City 