Jul 16 2018
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Are You Tired of Paying for Abortion?!

By | California | No Comments

Friends of Life,

Are you tired of paying for abortion? I am! Together, we have a chance to do something about it!

We have a great and urgent opportunity to shift taxpayer funds away from abortionists and direct funds toward real health centers. Planned Parenthood alone receives at least $50 million from Title X, and 90% of the women who enter their clinics have abortions. A new proposed rule directs money away from abortion providers.

Together we can influence the right to life on a national level. The opposition will not take their hand out of the cookie jar without significant opposition.  

As with any federal regulation, there is an open comment period where the public has the opportunity to express their views to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Azar. After the 60-day comment period is up, HHS will review the comments and issue a final rule based on the public’s feedback.  The deadline is July 31.

We are in need of substantive comments and lots of them. The opposition is already fighting this because abortion is big business and they love their government subsidies. Planned Parenthood is mobilized with an army contacting HHS Secretary Azar.  They will sue and intimidate, so we must be vigilant, mobilized, passionate, strong and courageous on behalf of babies.

It’s time; let’s take action! Enough is enough!  Defend the right to life! 

Take Action:

  1. Please click here for more information about the regulation as well as step by step instruction on how to submit a comment. We have provided a comment you can easily copy and paste (if you don’t have time to write a comment yourself), and the link to the comment submission form. It only takes about 5-10 minutes to do.
  2. Please pass this e-alert on to family and friends! Encourage them to both pray and take action.

Let us join in prayer together: “Lord, we love YOU!  Thank YOU for creating us!  We ask that You bless our efforts as we speak out boldly for children.  Multiply our efforts to send a lasting and convincing message.

“… praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— [ ,,, that we] may speak boldly, as [we] ought to speak.” (Ephesians 6:18, 20)

The deadline is July 31, please comment right away and then use the remainder of the time to encourage those you know to comment as well.

Thank you for praying and taking action.

God bless you!

Marlo Tucker
State Director
CWA of California
[email protected]
ca.cwfa.org

Jul 14 2018
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Conservative Women Rally to Support Judge Kavanaugh

By | Blog, Kennedy, Legal, News and Events, Religious Liberty, Sanctity of Life, SCOTUS, Vacancy | No Comments

This week many Americans were glued to our TV’s waiting to see who President Trump had chosen to replace Justice Anthony Kennedy on the Supreme Court.  For many of us, it was our first opportunity to hear directly from the man whose young daughter’s basketball team calls “Coach K.” He did not disappoint.

Judge Kavanaugh, who currently sits on the D.C. Circuit – considered the “Second Highest Court in the Land” – shared with us his story which highlighted so many values we, as Americans, hold dear, including family, faith, and hard work.

As the Senate begins the process to “advise and consent” the president’s nominee, it’s important to take a measure of the man in judging his fitness for office.

Here are some glimpses into his influences and his character:

Judge Kavanaugh in his speech last week gave thanks and praise to both of his parents who each attended law school, his father working full-time while putting himself through law school at night. But it was Kavanaugh’s mother to whom he paid a special tribute, Maryland Circuit Court Judge Martha Kavanaugh. “My introduction to law came at our dinner table,” he said. Kavanaugh called his mother a trailblazer for women in the legal profession. She pushed through barriers and overcame obstacles as one of the few female prosecutors at the time to become a trial judge. As he accepted President Trump’s nomination, Judge Kavanaugh credited his mother and her legacy. “The president introduced me tonight as Judge Kavanaugh, but to me that title will always belong to my mom.”

Judge Kavanaugh devotes time and energy to his family and his faith. He is involved in his church and spends his time serving meals with Catholic charities and tutoring. He is a leader in his field.

Throughout his tenure as a judge, Kavanaugh has worked to diversify the legal field through the people he chose to work for him. Rebecca Tailbelson, a former Kavanaugh Clerk, not only spoke about Kavanaugh as a judge but also to the quality of his character as a boss and advocate.

“Judge Kavanaugh has had a really outsized role in helping to diversify this little sliver of the legal profession, and he’s done so by hiring predominantly female – I think a majority of his law clerks have been women which is sort of unheard of at this level. And then after he hires us, he goes to bat for us in every way. It’s impossible to get that Supreme Court clerkship if you don’t have an appeals court judge like Brett Kavanaugh going to bat for you. He goes to bat for us, and then he goes to bat for us for every job after that.”

From the respect with which he honors his mother, to his devotion to raising strong daughters, and his work diversifying the legal field, Judge Kavanaugh has shown through action, not just words, his choice to esteem women.

There are just nine individuals who safeguard our Constitution, the document that has protected our God-given rights for 231 years. There could not be a more qualified candidate to sit on this esteemed bench at this time.

Concerned Women for America is honored to stand behind Judge Kavanaugh and support him during his confirmation. We have launched a $500,000 campaign called “Women for Kavanaugh.” We are devoting considerable resources to this effort and rallying our happy warriors across the nation to use their voices in support of Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation. We were active in Justice Neil Gorsuch’s confirmation and plan to be equally active for Judge K, because we trust that he will be another great justice!

CWA stands with Judge Kavanaugh, because his life and his work exemplify what we want to ensure for this generation and generations to come. This is about our children, our grandchildren, and the future of the home that we love. #ConfirmJudgeK

Editor’s Note: A version of this article was published by The Stream. Click here to read it there.

Jul 13 2018
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YWA in Israel: Desert Day and the New Covenant (Days 5 & 6)

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Our morning started at Masada, Herod the Great’s desert fortress. It was a refuge for himself with storehouses, large cisterns filled with rainwater, barracks, palaces, and an armory. After hiking in the sun and heat, we headed back down to the lowest point on earth – the Dead Sea! Swimming, or rather floating, in the Dead Sea was a first for a majority of our participants. We probably could have floated all day, but it was Friday, Shabbat, and we needed to get back to Jerusalem to visit the Western Wall at sundown.

Shabbat begins as the sun sets on Friday. Every Friday evening, Jews gather at the Western, or Wailing, Wall to gather together, sing songs and psalms, offer up prayers, and celebrate before dinner. We gathered together and read Psalm 21 before splitting into two groups to experience a traditional Shabbat at the homes of Jewish host families.

“One of my personal favorite parts of experiencing Israel was getting the chance to eat Shabbat dinner with a Jewish couple. I learned so much about the Jewish culture and people from a distance most days of the trip, but having an opportunity to speak directly to the couple for several hours was incredibly enlightening and much more personal. Taking part in the rituals that are involved in Shabbat dinner opened my eyes to the practice of Judaism in a new way. My favorite part was having the opportunity to hear the story of the couple and how they had made their home in Israel, both from different countries originally. Asking them questions about the things that they believe and have experienced allowed me to step into their shoes and see what motivates them to practice the Jewish religion and live life in the state of Israel. Overall, I’m so thankful for the experience and the way that it gave me a stronger passion to share Jesus with Jews that are passionate about God but do not see Jesus as their Messiah. They are real people that were chosen by God thousands of years ago, and they need the light of the Gospel to open their eyes to the sacrificial love of the Lord.” Ashley Gillespie, YWA Participant, Liberty University

DAY 6: New Covenant

This was another nonstop day for our group! We started at the Mount of Olives overlook which is the quintessential view of Jerusalem. We walked from the Mount of Olives to the Garden of Gethsemane where we studied the story of Jesus in the Garden from each point of view before allowing everyone quiet time to reflect personally. From there we walked to the Pools of Bethesda which is where Jesus healed the paralytic. Near the pools of Bethesda, there is a beautiful chapel with beautiful acoustics, and inside we sung a hymn together. It’s the little things like singing together that make such special memories on trips like these.

From the Pools of Bethesda, we walked the Via Dolorosa, the Way of Grief, which is the path believed to be walked by Jesus on his way to crucifixion. The Via Dolorosa led us to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. And all of that was before lunch!

The city of Jerusalem is split into four quarters: Jewish, Muslim, Christian, and Armenian. Lunch today was on free time in the Christian quarter. It is a bustling quarter full of small shops and vendors.

Our afternoon was spent at the Garden Tomb. There is debate about where exactly Jesus was crucified and where exactly he was buried but many believe this is the site of his tomb.

“It’s hard to put into words what I experienced at the Garden Tomb, but I can sum it up by saying, an overwhelming abundance of peace. The Tomb is significant because if Jesus did not rise from the dead and come walking out of that tomb triumphantly defeating death, then He would not have been who He said He was, the Son of the Most High. As Christians we rejoice in the fact that we will be living for eternity with our Heavenly Father and the One who paid our debt with His great love for us.” Amelia Koehn, former YWA Chapter President, and now alumni, University of Iowa

Jul 13 2018
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Calling on Congress to Prioritize the Sexual Assault Kit Backlog

By | Blog, News and Events | No Comments

While much of the Senate Judiciary Committee’s focus will turn to the confirmation of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, other important legislative business remains on its agenda, including the reauthorization of the Debbie Smith Act. In 2004, Congress passed the Debbie Smith Act, named for a victim of a violent sexual assault, to increase the capacity of states to analyze sexual assault kits and help eliminate the backlog of untested kits that delay justice for victims of rape.

After nearly 15 years and over a billion dollars later, eliminating the backlog is far from resolved, and the National Institute of Justice cannot even quantify the extent of the problem. Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee (CWALAC) is insisting that improvements be made to ensure Debbie Smith grant program funds be used to account for the full extent of the backlog problem and prioritize testing of sexual assault kits over other DNA analysis.

The need for such a priority in our criminal justice system is greater than ever. According to the Center for Disease Control National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey, 21.3 percent of women reported being raped in their lifetime, and the problem is only increasing. In 2010 1.3 million women reported being raped; in 2015 that number rose to 1.5 million.

During a recent Senate Judiciary Committee, rape victim, Amanda Nguyen, shared the chilling reality of how forensic evidence is collected following a rape: “Most people don’t know this, but rape kit examinations last three to seven hours; mine was six hours long,” recounted Ms. Nguyen, founder of Rise, “That’s because your body, my body, was the crime scene.”

CWALAC is seeking justice for victims of rape and sexual assault by calling on Congress to prioritize analysis of sexual assault kits and fully account for the backlog of rape kits sitting on shelves in law enforcement offices and crime labs across the country.

Jul 10 2018
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Women for Kavanaugh Grassroots Effort to Sweep the Nation

By | Blog, Kennedy, News and Events, Press Releases, SCOTUS, Vacancy | No Comments

Washington, D.C. — Concerned Women for America (CWA), the largest public policy organization of women in the country, is launching a $500,000 grassroots effort to support the confirmation of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Penny Nance, CEO and President of Concerned Women for America, issued the following statement:

“We are happy to announce that Concerned Women for America is launching a $500,000 grassroots campaign called “Women for Kavanaugh ” (WomenforKavanaugh.com) to rally conservative women across the nation in support of the confirmation of Judge Brett Kavanaugh.  While this is a national effort, there will be specific efforts in nine key states to educate and engage our activist in efforts to communicate with their senators.  CWA activists from around the nation have been waiting for this historic opportunity to restore constitutional balance to the nation’s highest court, and they are ready to meet the challenge. We will do everything in our power to support this noble, eminently qualified nominee against the unfair attacks from the left.

“This is the moment for which conservative women have been waiting, and the ‘happy warrior’ women I represent are eager to engage in an effort they know will help preserve justice and liberty for their children and their children’s children.

“During his presidential campaign, President Trump promised to nominate judges in the mold of the late, great Justice Antonin Scalia. That was one of the main reasons why conservative women turned out for President Trump in such great numbers. The president delivered on that promise with Justice Neil Gorsuch, and he has delivered once again with soon-to-be Justice Brett Kavanaugh.

“The U.S. Senate must now rise above political pettiness and give this nominee a fair consideration. President Trump is not the nominee; he already won.  Judge Kavanaugh is the nominee, and his record speaks for itself. It is worth noting that Judge Kavanaugh was already confirmed to the D.C. Circuit, commonly recognized as the second most powerful court in the land, with bipartisan support. He should be confirmed swiftly with overwhelming support this time, too.

“Our message is simple: ‘Confirm Judge K.’”

 

For an interview with Penny Nance contact Annabelle Rutledge at [email protected] or 916-792-3973

Jul 09 2018
0

Who is Judge Brett Kavanaugh and Why We Should Support Him?

By | Kennedy, Legal, News and Events, SCOTUS, Vacancy | No Comments

If you did not get a chance to hear from Judge Kavanaugh at his nomination announcement, I encourage you to take the time and listen to him. I am confident you will see in him what virtually everyone he has worked with will testify; this is an honorable man for whom family and faith are incredibly important. His humility and candor are evident.

But, of course, he also has an impeccable professional record that is second to none. He graduated from Yale and had several prestigious clerkships with Judges in the Third and Ninth Circuit, and Justice Anthony Kennedy at the U.S. Supreme Court.  He later served as an associate at the Office of Independent Counsel Ken Starr and also as Senior Associate Counsel for President George Bush.

 

It is because of this public service that liberals staunchly opposed Judge Kavanaugh when he was nominated for the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. He was first nominated in 2003, but his nomination stalled for three years in the Senate as they unfairly targeted him for political reasons. He was finally confirmed in 2006 by a vote of 57-36.

That he is so fiercely opposed by the radical liberals tells you a lot. Judge Kavanaugh has written over 300 published opinions and has proven himself to be an impartial judge seeking to apply the Constitution as written, refusing to legislate from the bench which is what the left demands.

Judge Kavanaugh (a Catholic himself) has protected religious freedom, as protected by the Constitution. In Newdow v. Roberts, he upheld prayer and invocations at government ceremonies. Noting Supreme Court precedent that, “The Constitution does not oblige government to avoid any public acknowledgment of religion’s role in society.”

In Archdiocese of Washington v. WMATA, Judge Kavanaugh was appalled at the unconstitutionality of D.C. Metro’s ban on religious advertising.  As The Washington Post reported, “Judge Brett M. Kavanaugh was unrelenting in questioning Metro’s lawyer, former solicitor general Donald B. Verrilli Jr., and stated unequivocally his view that the policy is ‘pure discrimination’ in violation of the First Amendment.”

In Priests for Life v. HHS, Judge Kavanaugh voted to prevent the Obama Administration from enforcing its contraceptive mandate against religious entities.

Kavanaugh also recognizes the Government’s interest in protecting the unborn. In a recent case (Garza v. Hargan ) we told you about, where an illegal immigrant minor in U.S. custody wanted to force the government to help her in getting an abortion, Judge Kavanaugh recognized the government’s legitimate interest in preferring life over abortion.

Although you may hear some concern from some of our friends in the pro-life community about this case, the reality is that judge Kavanaugh strongly rejected the ACLU’s argument, instead siding with the legal argument made by the Trump Administration that requiring the federal government to assist the minor in obtaining an abortion would ignore the government’s “permissible interest in favoring fetal life, protecting the best interests of a minor, and refraining from facilitating abortion.” He forcefully dissented from the en banc ruling saying it was “based on a constitutional principle as novel as it is wrong: a new right for unlawful immigrant minors in U.S. Government detention to obtain immediate abortion on demand.”

Judge Kavanaugh has stood strong against the overreaching of federal agencies. He dissented from a denial of en banc rehearing in U.S. Telecom Ass’n v. FCC writing that, “the Government must keep its hands off the editorial decisions of Internet service providers.” And he has many other encouraging decisions in this area.

There is simply no other way to look at this nomination than to say it is an excellent pick by President Trump.  We’ve just scratched the surface; Judge Kavanaugh has strong opinions respecting the Second Amendment and upholding voter ID laws, among hundreds of others.

Justice Kavanaugh will be no swing vote.  He has proven he will stand for the Constitution as written every time, and he deserves our support.

—
Mario Diaz, Esq. is CWA’s general counsel. Follow him on Twitter @mariodiazesq.

Jul 09 2018
0

Trump’s Solid Choice for the Supreme Court is Good News for All Americans

By | Blog, Kennedy, Legal, News and Events, Press Releases, SCOTUS, Vacancy | No Comments

Washington, D.C. – Moments ago, President Donald J. Trump announced Brett Kavanaugh as his nominee to fill Justice Anthony Kennedy’s vacancy at the United States Supreme Court. 

Penny Nance, CEO and President of Concerned Women for America, issued the following statement:

“This is an historic moment for the United States. This is why conservative women voted overwhelmingly for Donald J. Trump – to ensure that a proper constitutional balance is restored to our nation’s highest court. President Trump made a promise to the American people and, just as with the confirmation of Justice Neil Gorsuch, he is delivering on that promise.

“Judge Brett Kavanaugh is abundantly qualified to sit on the bench of the United States Supreme Court. He is among the best and brightest jurists on the appellate courts with a reputation of being fair and impartial in his decisions. Judge Kavanaugh is known as a judge who respects the Constitution as written, refusing to legislate from the bench.  This is what we need at this time on the U.S. Supreme Court.

“Concerned Women for America is ready to stand up for Judge Kavanaugh and against the political attacks of the left which have little to do with the candidate’s record. This is not just about us; this is about our children and their children. This is about the future of this nation for generations to come, and we plan on giving everything we have in order to leave them a Supreme Court that will protect their liberties and uphold our Constitution.

“Simply put, Judge Brett Kavanaugh is an outstanding choice.  President Trump, once again, is keeping his promises to the American people by picking a highly qualified, fair, and independent judge – just as he did with Neil Gorsuch. He will be another great justice, and the U.S. Senate should confirm him expeditiously.”

For an interview with Penny Nance contact Annabelle Rutledge at [email protected] or 916-792-3973.

Jul 09 2018
0

YWA in Israel 2018

By | Support for Israel | No Comments

We are back from our 10-day trip to the Holy Land! If this is the first time you’re reading about our trip, we partnered with an organization called Passages and took 34 of our Young Women for America leaders to Israel! It was absolutely incredible in every way possible. Each of us are returning back to the U.S. changed. God worked in the hearts of our Young Women for America leaders, and it was a true blessing to watch their eyes and hearts open and transform. Each day was packed full of tours, sites, and speakers giving us a comprehensive overview of Israel.

Here’s an outline to our trip and feedback from a few of our leaders!

Day 1 “In the Beginning”

We arrived in Israel after a long 18+ hours of sitting in airports, security, and flying. When we landed, we drove straight to Caesarea! We were able to learn about and explore King Herod’s old palace, see what’s left of this ancient city and how they use it today! We stayed in a hotel right on the Mediterranean Sea in Netanya that night; it was beautiful!

Day 2 “Home Town of Jesus”

We visited Alfei Menashe, a town overlooking the West Bank. We explored the archeological site of Tel Shimron in the Jezreel Valley. Then we went to Nazareth, Jesus’ childhood home, where we visited the museum, the old village, had an authentic Nazarene lunch, and toured the Church of Annunciation. We ended the day at Mount Precipice, where you can see Mount Carmel, Mount Tabor, and the Valley of Armageddon. Then we drove to the Sea of Galilee and stayed at a hotel right by the water! Amazing!

Day 3 “Neighbors to the North”

We traveled to Jish, a northern town in Israel, where the Christian minority Aramaic Maronite church meets, one of the highlights of our trip! The pastor, Shadi Khalloul, met with us and shared his heart to protect their heritage and give a voice to his people, and about the persecution that Christians in the Middle East face. He also taught us the Lord’s Prayer in Aramaic, the language in which Jesus prayed it. We then visited the Golan Heights, which overlooks the borders of Lebanon and Syria. The United Nations has a station of soldiers there to whom some of our YWA leaders talked and asked questions. We ended the day at Caesarea Philippi and with an incredible speaker, Dr. Feydra Shapiro, who discussed what she wished Christians and Jews knew about each other.

Day 4 “Ministry of Jesus”

We spent this entire day around the Sea of Galilee. The first site was the excavation and remains of the town of Magdala, the home of Mary Magdalene. They have a beautiful church there with amazing mosaics; we sang “Amazing Grace” together in the dome. Second, we went to the Mount of Beatitudes. Janae led a devotional about the Sermon on the Mount, and the girls were given time to reflect and spend some time with God. Third, we traveled back down to the shore of the Sea to Tabgha. I (Kelsey) was able to lead our group through Jesus’ shore miracles. As we sat on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, we were able to envision Jesus feeding the 4,000 men and then appearing to His disciples after the Resurrection. From there we went to Capernaum, discussed some of Jesus’ teachings there, and saw the excavation site.  Before boarding a boat at the Sea of Galilee, some of us enjoyed a traditional “Saint Peter’s Fish” lunch right on the shore! While we were on the boat, we reflected on Jesus calming the storm and walking on water. (So cool!) From the Sea of Galilee, we went to the Jordan River, where 19 of the girls were baptized — five of them for the first time!

Day 5 “Desert Day”

We went to Masada, which is the part-natural, part-manmade fortress that Herod the Great created in 37 A.D.  It was attacked by Rome in 73 A.D. after the Romans destroyed the Temple. From there, we went to the archeological site at Qumeran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found.  We had lunch and spent the rest of the afternoon floating in the Dead Sea! After some mud baths and the saltiest bath ever, we got ready for Shabbat. We welcomed Shabbat (Jewish Sabbath) at the Western Wall with hundreds of Jewish men and women. We were then hosted by different Jewish families for a traditional Shabbat dinner. We were able to experience what these dedicated religious families do every Friday.

Day 6 “New Covenant”

This was our “Jesus Day.” We started at the Mount of Olives, which is the most beautiful view of Jerusalem. From there we walked down to the Garden of Gethsemane, read Jesus’ prayers in the garden, and took time to reflect. We then entered the city of Jerusalem and walked the “Via Dolorosa,” ending at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. We ended the day at the Garden Tomb, with a time of reflection, worship, and communion. Personally, this was one of my favorite parts of the trip. Whether this is the exact place that Jesus was buried and resurrected (while there is reason to believe it is), the truth of what Jesus has done remains the same and more real to us after this site.

Day 7 “Patriarchs, Kings, Prophets”

It was “Old City” day, where we toured each quarter of the Old City in Jerusalem. We started at Mount Zion and visited the location believed to be the “upper room” where Jesus and the disciples had the Last Supper. Next, we visited the City of David, archaeological site of ancient Jerusalem of the pre-Babylonian era, including the overlook where David would have seen Bathsheba.  We then toured the Southern wall excavation, Hezekiah’s underground water tunnel and water reservoir.  We finished the day at the Siloam pools, where Jesus healed the blind man.

Day 8 “The Jewish State”

This was a sobering day, as we spent the morning at Yad Vashem, the Israeli Holocaust museum and memorial.  In the afternoon, we went to the Israeli Museum which houses a model of old Jerusalem and the Dead Sea Scrolls. That evening, we heard from a female soldier in the Israeli Defense Force (IDF). This was another highlight for our leaders who asked many questions and stayed after to speak with her one-on-one.

Day 9 “Neighbors to the South”

We drove from Jerusalem to the border of the Gaza Strip and toured Nativa Elseron, a Kibbutz right on the border. A woman named Ronni shared her story and the realities of living on the border with constant threats, bomb shelters, and missile alarms. This was one of the most impactful and intense visits for our group; we were one of the few tour buses able to make this stop. There had been fires in the area from kites sent over from Gaza the week before and rocket fire the next week. It was eye-opening to see firsthand the tension at the border, the fear that is their reality. “Why would we leave? This is our home,” was a common answer to the question “Why do you stay here?”

Day 10 “Tel Aviv Day”

We spent our last full day in Tel Aviv, before flying out late that night to the United States. We toured Jaffa, the port from which Jonah fled, and the House of Simon. We also visited Independence Hall, where Israel declared its independence on May 14, 1948. We sat in the room and listened to recordings of David Ben-Gurion pronouncing the establishment of the State of Israel.

As you can tell, this trip was FULL, a little exhausting, but absolutely amazing. I left out so many details, speakers, and shorter visits, but I think you get the gist. Thank you for praying for us! Check out our @YWforA Instagram, the #YWAinIsrael2018 hashtag on Instagram, and our Young Women for America page on Facebook for more photos! Here are some thoughts from our leaders:

Ashley Henson, YWA President at the University of Alabama:

“How could I ever begin to describe the 10 days that changed my life forever? This land and its people have touched my life in countless ways. I watched as the pages of the Bible came to life before me, and God revealed Himself to me through every place and person. I felt His presence like I never have before, and I left with an indescribable peace that I never imagined I could feel.  I went on this trip expecting to find a nation ravaged by years of war, a people exhausted from constant tension. Instead, I found a nation of joy. Every person I encountered, no matter their religion or nationality, greeted me with a smile and a joke. Despite the conflict in the region, hope lives on in the people who call Israel home.

“I pray that hope never fades. I pray that we, as Americans, can one day feel even a fraction of that hope for our nation. I pray that we never take for granted the freedom and security we are blessed with. and I pray that we never forget those who struggle around the world for the same freedom and security.”

Valeria Tkacik, YWA President at Ave Maria University:

“My Israel experience was more than great; it was life changing. From Nazareth to the Western Wall, I felt God’s presence everywhere I went. When I shared a smile or a laugh with any of my YWA members, I knew that I shared that moment with Jesus Himself. I cannot wait to see how God blesses these girls’ lives! So thankful to travel to the Holy Land with my concerned women!!

“To fall in love with God is the greatest romance; to seek Him the greatest adventure; to find Him, the greatest human achievement.” ~ St. Augustine of Hippo

Abby Voggenreiter, YWA member at Liberty University:

“My time in Israel changed my life. From picking up rocks in the Sea of Galilee to visiting the peace wall along the Gaza Strip, I learned so much about all that has happened and is happening there. Coming home I brought with me a bag of Israeli snacks, but also a passion for Israel and all of its people! I will never stop praying for the Israeli people, especially the ones that had such a huge impact on me while I was there (Efrat!!). And to the amazing girls I got to travel with; each one of you taught me so much about life and friendship. I am so, so blessed. The past eleven days have given me memories that I will carry with me forever. Thank you to each person who poured into me during this trip; our God is real. He is alive! And we all got to walk in His holy land! I am so thankful.”