“Courage is the ladder on which the all the other virtues mount.” –Clare Boothe Luce UCE ADDER LLVolume XVII, Issue 1 2011

Clare Boothe Luce’s granddaughter provides new tie to namesake’s family

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Rep. Renee Ellmers’ surprising message to the Conservative Women’s Network

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Students at the Institute’s 2011 Western Women’s Summit pose for a picture with Miss America Teresa Scanlan (center) 100th Anniversary of Ronald Reagan’s Michelle Duggar, super-mom to 19 Birth Celebrated at the Institute’s 2011 children, accepts the Institute’s 2011 Western Women’s Summit Woman of the Year This year’s Summit drew women from across the country for a weekend of Award learning about key issues and networking with new conservative friends. Pages 4-5 Read the full story on page 6.

Author Jackie Gingrich Cushman’s rich insights on America’s history

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As a special treat for Summit attendees, the Western Women’s Summit included an exclusive tour of Ronald Reagan’s ranch home in the hills of Santa Barbara known as “Rancho Del Cielo.” from Letter the Granddaughter of President Clare Boothe Luce ecently, a former Luce intern Rtold me that her time at the Elected to Institute Board Institute was the most memorable summer of her life. Another said, “I’ve grown as The Institute recently welcomed a new member to its Board of Directors—Clare Luce, the granddaughter of the late Clare a person and become more confident in my conservative Boothe Luce. The Institute is named after Mrs. Luce because views and values.” Each summer, I look forward to of her outstanding example as a conservative woman whose welcoming a new group of interns to our Virginia success stemmed from her unwavering values, grace and personal strength. headquarters. Each year we receive resumes from young activists across the country eager to participate in our highly competitive internship program. These women know that Luce internships don’t just consist of making coffee and shuffling paperwork—it is a life changing experience for young women that will open doors to a lifetime of involvement in the conservative cause. In addition to our internship program, Luce offers many other opportunities each summer for students to get involved. In June we host our annual Conservative Leadership Seminar on Capitol Hill featuring key leaders like Congresswoman Michele Bachmann. In July and August we hold mentoring luncheons for high school and Clare Luce with “Joe the Plumber” college students from across the country. And a select at a 2009 Institute event. group of student leaders participate in Luce’s intensive training seminars. Clare Luce traveled extensively with Mrs. Luce and they developed a uniquely special relationship. Clare has worked Thank you for supporting the work of the Clare Boothe with the Institute on numerous special projects and events Luce Policy Institute. With your help, we will continue to and has been an enthusiastic supporter of the Institute’s reach thousands of young women and prepare them for work over the years. The Institute staff and Board are delighted to now officially have her in the leadership of the effective leadership. organization. Clare Luce was born and raised on the north shore of Long Island and currently lives north of San Francisco in the Napa Michelle Easton Valley area.

Clare Boothe Luce Policy Institute Board of Directors Michelle Easton The Dr. Elliott & Darla Partridge he Clare Boothe Luce Policy Institute’s President Staff National Headquarters mission is to prepare women for Frank Donatelli 112 Elden Street, Suite P T Secretary/Treasurer Michelle Easton Catherine Helsley Herndon, Virginia 20170 effective leadership and to promote leading President Administrative Assistant (888) 891-4288 conservative women. The Institute strives to Kellyanne Conway Tiffany Bradley Kristen Johnson www.cblpi.org Barb Kenney advance America’s women by promoting and Director of Philanthropy Accounting Manager Publisher Michelle Easton preserving conservative principles. Clare Luce Designer/Writer Camille Hart & Alyssa Cordova Jeanne O’Connor Ursula Meese Lecture Director Catherine Helsley The Luce Ladder is a publication of the Clare Boothe Luce Administrative Director Copy Editor Kristen Johnson Policy Institute, a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization. Kate Obenshain Camille Hart Lil Tuttle Photos Jensen Sutta Photogra- Contributions are eligible for a tax deduction. The Institute’s Darla Partridge Special Assistant Education Director phy & Twin Lens Photo tax ID number is 54-1672138. to the President  Marji Ross Staff Education Director Education Lil Tuttle Director Administrative Jeanne O’Connor Manager Accounting Johnson Kristen Assistant Administrative Catherine Helsley

CWN in Review C-SPAN andbroadcasttotheir97millionviewers. High Heels:TheNewFeminism.”Herremarksweretapedby provoking lectureinApriltitled,“SteelNerves,IronJawsand > about theneedtocompletelyrepealgovernmenttake-over. the harmthatObamacareiscausing.InFebruary, shespoke Ellmers > insightful talkaboutAmerica’s fiscalpolicies. speaker. Asarespectedexpertontheeconomy, Mooregavean continue ourDecemberCWNtraditionofhostingagentleman > 2010 midtermelections. panel discussioninNovembertoanalyzetheresultsof > Obama’s policieshurtthebusinesscommunity. Business spokeatCWNinOctober, explaininghowPresident > people cangetinvolvedandmakeanimpact,too. young conservativewomanandoutlinedhowother author andjournalist.Shesharedherstoryofsuccessasa in her20s,Amandaalreadyhasadistinguishedcareerasan Jim DeMint,addressedtheCWNaudienceinSeptember. Still > contact [email protected]. more informationaboutCWN,visitwww.cblpi.org/events or connect withotherwomenintheWashington area.For learn aboutcurrentissuesfromconservativeleadersand luncheons provideattendeeswiththeopportunityto The HeritageFoundation.HeldinWashington, DC,the luncheon co-hostedbytheLucePolicyInstituteand The FOXNewscommentator Asanurseformorethan20years, Stephen Moore Grace-Marie Turner Susan Eckerly Amanda Carpenter Conservative Women’s Network ofNorthCarolinahasauniqueinsideperspectiveon fromtheNationalFederationofIndependent ofthe , currentlyaspeechwriterforSenator andKateObenshainparticipatedina Wall StreetJournal Andrea Tantaros Congresswoman Renee (CWN)isamonthly helpedus gaveathought- important part of the speech in February. attendees after her Rep. Renee Ellmers a photo with CWN participation is an (center) poses for at the September CWN experience. A CWN attendee CWN. Audience asks a question speaker in December. Wall Street Journal Street Wall and HighHeels: The Tiffany Bradley (left) Luce Board member National Federation Assistant Catherine public policy issues. the direction of key Marie Turner spoke and Administrative was CWN’s special after her speech to Carpenter (center) with Luce Director care expert Grace- results will impact Nerves, IronJaws the 2010 election Women Calendar a Great American once-a-year male April titled “Steel September CWN speaker Amanda New Feminism.” Business accepts gave a speech in CWN in October. Andrea Tantaros (left) and health Kate Obenshain of Philanthropy Stephen Moore of Independent (right) from the discussing how Susan Eckerly commentator in November, Conservative Helsley. ’ s

3  2011 Woman of the Year Luce Policy Institute’s Award Goes to Michelle Duggar at Annual Conservative Political Action Conference Luncheon

he 2011 Conservative Political Action speech, emphasizing the Conference (CPAC) brought another year of importance of faith and Texciting Luce Policy Institute events, drawing family. She encouraged impressive crowds of students and providing a the women to stand strong unique opportunity to mentor the next generation in their beliefs despite the of leaders. obstacles they may face in The largest and most anticipated Luce event at doing so. CPAC was the annual Woman of the Year mentoring In addition to the Woman luncheon. This year’s award recipient was Michelle of the Year luncheon, Duggar, whose family is the focus of the popular cable the Institute hosted television show 19 Kids and Counting. Michelle and several Great American her husband Jim Bob decided early in their marriage Conservative Women that they would have as many children as God saw Calendar signings during Luce President Michelle Easton fit. Today—more than 25 years later—the Duggars CPAC. Calendar ladies S.E. presents Michelle Duggar have ten boys and nine girls, including two sets of Cupp, Amanda Carpenter, with the Institute’s 2011 twins. They live in northwest Arkansas and all of the Kate Obenshain, and Bay Woman of the Year Award children are home schooled. Buchanan all stopped by The Institute chose Mrs. Duggar as Woman of the the Institute’s booth in the CPAC exhibit hall to meet Year because by allowing the public a look into her with students and sign their page in the calendar. family’s everyday life, she shows the joy and blessings For the second year in a row the Institute co-hosted that children bring to a family and the God-given value a unique panel featuring leading ladies of the of every life. The Duggars provide families across conservative movement. The standing-room-only America a wonderful example to follow by teaching crowd of students and CPAC attendees came to hear their children key values like serving others, treating from notable women like Congresswoman Michele everyone with respect, being fiscally responsible and Bachmann, Phyllis Schlafly, Cleta Mitchell, and S.E. relying on faith to get through difficult times. Cupp. Topics ranged from marriage and motherhood Mrs. Duggar graciously and quietly represents to how to be a successful woman leader. It was millions of unsung heroine women across America one of the most popular panel discussions of the who choose to focus on motherhood, knowing it is conference. the most important job they will ever have. She is The Institute also co-hosted a student event featuring a bold leader for pro-family values—someone young Ann Coulter and the hosts of the FOX News late- women can look to as an example when it comes to night show , Greg Gutfeld and Bill Schulz. putting family first and courageously speaking out Students had the opportunity to ask questions of the for what you believe in. well-known guests and left the event energized and Mrs. Duggar gave a moving testimony to more than encouraged to spread conservative ideas on their 200 women students who gathered to hear her campuses.

Michelle Duggar, mother of 19, with her large family in front of her Arkansas home 4 Luce Ladies Online! Luce Speakers at the Visit the Institute’s website at cblpi.org to watch videos from Conservative Political Action our recent events, including speeches given at CPAC 2011 Conference (CPAC)

Rep. Kate Michele Obenshain Bachmann

Michelle Duggar chats with Luce Board member Marji Ross during the Institute’s 2011 Woman of the Year Luncheon Cleta Mitchell

Ann Mrs. Duggar spent hours signing autographs Coulter for young women eager to talk with her

Phyllis Schlafly

More than 200 women students from across the country attended the luncheon 5 Westernomen’s W Summit

“It is such a pleasure to be able to share with people that have my same values.” “The tour of the Reagan Ranch was magnificent 1 2 and inspiring.” “The Summit energized me…hearing conservative speakers and being surrounded by conservatives is motivating and refreshing.” “This event was a lovely affair. Not only did I enjoy the speakers, I heartily enjoyed meeting conservative women from all walks of life.” Above are just a few of the comments we received from attendees at the 2011 Western Women’s Summit, the 3 Institute’s annual gathering of conservative women leaders on the West Coast. The Summit took place at the Reagan Ranch Center in Santa Barbara, California, on March 24-26. The Summit’s theme this year was “Conservative Women Rising: How to Fight for Freedom and Win.” Attendees came from across the country and spanned all age groups, but they shared a passion and enthusiasm for defending the conservative principles that make America great. Speakers at the Summit included conservative filmmaker Ann McElhinney who exposed the hypocrisy of extreme environmentalists; Egyptian-born Nonie Darwish who gave a timely talk on how Islamic extremism in the Middle East is creeping into American culture; Tea Party Patriots National 5 Coordinator Keli Carender who shared how she organized 4 the country’s first Tea Party rally which soon blossomed into a national movement; and author S.E. Cupp who discussed 1 Luce speaker S.E. Cupp on the tour of the Reagan Ranch 2 Miss America her latest book about the media’s bias against the Christian Teresa Scanlan before giving her Summit speech 3 Attendees network at the faith. welcome reception 4 Emily Smith from Pepperdine University participates in the Summit’s student activism seminar Attendees Emily Buck and Maureen The Summit’s keynote luncheon speaker was the reigning 5 Naylor Ann McElhinney addresses the Summit audience Miss America Teresa Scanlan. Teresa won the pageant in 6 January at only 17, becoming one of the youngest ever to Preserved with the original win the title of Miss America. Not only is Teresa lovely and furnishings and décor used by the articulate, but she has deeply held conservative beliefs on Reagans, the ranch is a truly unique key issues which are anchored by her Christian faith. She experience that gives visitors a look gave a compelling talk to the Summit attendees, saying she into the character and life of one was inspired by her grandparents’ escape to the United States of America’s great conservative after suffering under communism in Croatia. You can watch leaders. video of her entire talk—and all the Summit speeches—on If you are interested in receiving the Institute’s website at cblpi.org/video. info on how you can attend the 2012 The Summit included a tour of President Ronald Reagan’s Western Women’s Summit, please former ranch home in the hills of Santa Barbara. Often contact the Summit coordinator referred to as the “Western White House,” President Reagan Camille Hart at [email protected] or 6 spent many days at his beloved ranch during his presidency. 888-891-4288. 6 1 2

1 Kate Obenshain at James Madison University in Virginia 2 S.E. Cupp with North Carolina State University students 3 S.E. with an Arizona State University student who helped organize her lecture at the campus 4 Nonie Darwish with students after 3 4 her speech at Miami University in Ohio

As the home of conservative women leaders, the Luce Policy Institute is proud that many of the strongest voices opposing the liberal agenda are coming from conservative women. This includes Luce campus lecturers who are making appearances at campuses across the country—from Arizona State University to James Madison University in Virginia—to speak out against big government policies and promote conservative ideas.

Campus Lectures Campus Students aren’t likely to hear a conservative perspective from their liberal professors or at university- sponsored lectures, so hosting a Luce Institute speaker remains one of the most effective ways to create an ideological balance on campus. If you would like to find out how to host one of the ladies in the Institute’s lecture program at your campus, please contact Luce Lecture Director Alyssa Cordova at [email protected] or 888-891-4288.

Doreen Chadbourne Leaves Legacy of Conservative Leadership through a Gift Annuity

The Clare Boothe Luce Policy Institute married in 1953. They had 42 wonderful recently lost a long-time friend and years together raising a son and Longtime Luce supporter, Jeanette “Doreen” Chadbourne. expanding his equipment leasing business supporter Doreen She will be missed for her extraordinary before Bill died in a tragic automobile Chadbourne will be spirit that made her life so remarkable. accident in 1994. She credited her missed. She ensured Doreen was an encourager who said husband—and the way he lived his her legacy will live often how very much she appreciated life—for inspiring her generosity to so on by leaving the the Institute’s work of promoting and many causes. Institute a generous preparing conservative women leaders. gift annuity. The Clare Boothe Luce Policy Institute She ensured her legacy will live on was one of her favorite groups to which by leaving a generous annuity to the she left a charitable gift annuity. “I think Institute. contribution deduction, capital gains gift annuities are a blessing—you have savings, estate tax savings and an A true conservative woman with a strong income for life and you save on taxes and immediate gift to the Clare Boothe work ethic, Doreen started her first job are able to make an investment in people. Luce Policy Institute for a portion of at 18 years of age working for Western Helping others through charitable gift the original gift. If you are interested Union earning $0.39 an hour. She quickly annuities makes me feel blessed.” in giving a gift annuity please call Luce rose to a supervisory level managing 150 A gift annuity is a combination of a gift Policy Institute President Michelle Easton housewives who personally delivered and an investment with substantial or Director of Philanthropy Tiffany telegrams to military families. benefits, including: Guaranteed Bradley at 703-318-0730 or toll free at Doreen and her husband, Bill, were life income, immediate charitable 888-891-4288. 7 Rich Insights on America’s History In March, the Luce Policy Institute was BookTV. “It’s our job to speak up, to articulate proud to highlight an author who celebrates a very clear vision of a great future that America and the timeless principles in everyone can be engaged in. I think we have our founding documents. Jackie Gingrich to paint such a compelling picture that people Text Cushman, author of The Essential American: want to join in and want to be helpful and The Patriot’s Guide to the 25 Documents want to be a part of it. We have to inspire and and Speeches Every American Should Own, remind people of our rights.” was the featured speaker at the Institute’s Jackie is a nationally syndicated columnist, Afternoon with an Author event on Capitol author and the daughter of former Speaker Hill. Young professionals and interns from of the House . Her book across the DC area came to hear Jackie’s features powerful and inspiring speeches speech and receive a signed copy of her book. and documents from some of America’s “The people here in this room, the people most influential leaders like Ronald Reagan in our nation—we’re the link between and Abraham Lincoln. You can watch her full speech on the Institute’s website at Author Jackie Gingrich Cushman spoke an incredibly wonderful history and an www.cblpi.org/video. about her book The Essential American incredibly bright future,” Cushman said at the event, which was broadcast by C-SPAN’s

Luce’s April Conservative Women’s Network Luncheon featuring Andrea Tantaros was broadcast to C-SPAN’s 97 million viewers.

David Horowitz presented Luce Luce President Michelle Easton with President Michelle Easton with a Sarah Palin at the Reagan Ranch Center Lifetime Achievement Award. Luce Ends in Santa Barbara, California.