To understand alum Ellen Schutt is to understand her favorite quote:
“Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not: nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not: the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan “press on” has solved, and always will solve, the problems of the human race”- Calvin Coolidge
Ellen has been “pressing on” all her life. She grew up on the Schutt Family Farm in southeastern Wisconsin, and she has a history of working in and for her community.
A 4-H and FFA participant during her high school years, Ellen’s interest in public policy grew. While pursuing a BA in Political Science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, she founded a chapter of the Young Americans for Freedom on campus. She and her group organized and hosted campus-wide guest lectures by conservatives Ben Shapiro and Steve Forbes – two events that raised the ire of campus liberals and challenged the group’s resolve. Despite the opposition, her group prevailed.
Her experience in public policy grew during her college years as well. She held several internships in the office of her Wisconsin House Representative, Amy Loudenbeck, as well as a summer internship in the office of her U.S. Congressman, Paul Ryan.
Ellen also interned as a Summer Fellow at the CBL Center for Conservative Women. Our internship gave her “hands on experience,” she told us, that “transformed and strengthened” her ability to share conservative viewpoints.
Ellen returned to campus that fall determined to be the first student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison to promote important conservative ideas that aren’t talked about on campus. She established a Luce Society chapter to counter liberal feminists’ efforts “to brainwash women into believing big government, no values, and socialist ideas are the only options.”
“I am very eager to start a Luce Society chapter because it will help bring conservative women together. It will provide a place for women to talk about their values, spread conservative beliefs to other women on campus through activism events, and host prominent conservative women speakers on campus.”
Following her graduation, Ellen began her public policy career as a Legislative Assistant to Wisconsin Representative Amy Loudenbeck and later joined WI Representative Jesse James’ office as Legislative Assistant. She currently works as Research Assistant to Wisconsin Representative Tony Kurtz.
When her Representative Amy Loudenbeck announced she is leaving the Assembly to run for Secretary of State, Ellen decided it was time to throw her own hat into the ring to represent the 31st Wisconsin Assembly District, where she and her husband, Eric, live. “Rep. Loudenbeck has been a strong voice for our communities in Rock and Walworth Counties,” Ellen said during her announcement. “I’m proud to have worked with her, and I’m running to continue her legacy of being an advocate for fiscal responsibility, safe neighborhoods, and working families.”
“I just want to thank you for everything the CBL did for me during my fellowship,” Ellen emailed us recently. “I truly believe that without my summer at CBL I would not be confident in myself to take this leap of faith and work to support conservative policies.”
With persistence and determination as her guide, Ellen is continuing to “press on” in her career. We wish her the very best in all her endeavors!