by Felice Lagarde
Not every person hears worthwhile life advice from a politician. The evening of Friday, June 10th, the Clare Boothe Luce Center for Conservative Women (CBL) hosted their annual Woman of the Year Dinner at the Capitol Hill Club in Washington, D. C. honoring Virginia Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears’ stance on conservative values in a traditionally liberal state.
Nearly a hundred female interns from D.C., as well as CBL staff and guests—including Sears’ family—attended the event, which was generously sponsored by Mr. Michael Bell. After a welcome and introduction by CBL board members Linda Teetz and Marji Ross, Sears offered comments on how to pursue a career in politics while maintaining moral integrity and defending conservative values.
Sears stressed the role God plays in her political career. Turning to God gives her strength and inspiration, and she advised her listeners to trust in Him also. “Pray with your hands,” Sears stated, “Pray with your feet. Pray with your money. Pray with your mouth, certainly. Pray, then go and do.”
Throughout her speech, Sears continued to exhort her listeners to courageous involvement in their communities. A career in politics, she warned, would not be easy. “It’s life, and it’s not paradise…. So, as my father used to say, ‘buck up!’”
Sears has been “bucking up” for years. Known for her fearless stance on conservative values, the Lieutenant Governor inspired the young women in front of her to also be active examples of courage. “If you want to change, you’ve got to help make the change,” she stated. “You can either light a candle or curse the darkness….To curse the darkness is to be a victim.”
The 2022 Clare Boothe Luce Woman of the Year follows her own advice to be firm and courageous. During the questions addressed to her, Sears asserted her support for parental rights in education and the right to bear arms, evidencing her efforts to promote conservative values despite a democratic majority in the Virginia General Assembly. Sears inspired all who attended the dinner. Her unspoken message to the next generation of conservative women striving to learn from her? Go, and do likewise.
Top photo: CBL Board members Linda Teetz (l) and Marji Ross (r) join in celebrating the 2022 Woman of the Year award recipient, Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Earl-Sears (c).
