Hi all! My name is Paige Nelson, and I have the pleasure of being Concerned Women for America’s (CWA) Media and Communications intern this summer!

I am so blessed to be in the presence of women who embody Biblical values first and talk policy second. I am from the small town of Arlington, Washington, and am the youngest of three kids. My parents are my whole world, and it is during adventures like these that I am so thankful for Facetime. Moving across the country has been an adjustment, but the women of CWA have made my transition so smooth!

I am wrapping up college at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, where I am obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in communications with an emphasis in journalism, as well as a minor in political science. Throughout my college experience, I have been at the forefront of public policy both on and off campus. I am a Young Women for America Ambassador and the current president of the university’s Turning Point USA chapter, where I have had the honor of equipping like-minded students with the necessary tools to win over the other side. Beyond that, I have had the privilege of attending multiple Operation Underground Railroad events that focus on ending human trafficking, as well as networking through conferences like Turning Point USA’s Young Women Leadership Summit and advocating for life in front of my peers.

As much as I love getting into debates on the political battlefield, my true love lies elsewhere. Back in Salt Lake, I work for an amazing company that supports older women with disabilities. There I act as a direct support professional, which essentially means I take the ladies out to dinner, teach them how to maintain clean living environments, and assist them in creating healthy behavioral habits and clear boundaries. It has been an absolute joy growing with them and seeing how much progress towards normalcy they can achieve with the right support. That is part of the reason I am so passionately pro-life. Some 67% of babies in the U.S. diagnosed with Downs Syndrome in the womb are aborted. And as heartbreaking as that is, I am so thankful God has called me for such a time as this to fight for those who cannot fight for themselves.

Looking forward, I am interested in working in public policy in some sort of capacity where I can continue to advocate for and work with both children and adults with disabilities. I strongly feel as though the Lord has given me the heart to love on that specific community, and I hope someday to help create a country where we are loved as we are despite our differences. Whether that be through a nonprofit or by taking legislative action, I know I will be guided on the right path. That is why I am so excited to be here this summer because it is giving me a great visual of what it takes to run a successful organization.

Working at CWA feels so surreal, and I am beyond blessed to be able to work towards my career goals in an environment that lifts God’s Word. Although I know these seven weeks are going to fly by, I am excited to reflect on all that I have learned when this chapter closes. I am so thankful for this opportunity to represent Concerned Women for America as one of their interns this summer!