I didn't plan on going to YWLS. The first time I found out about it, the idea was shot down. A month later, I received a text from a friend who was going urging me to look at YWLS again. I went ahead and applied. This time I had a sense of excitement about the whole situation but also a slight feeling of fear of maybe not being accepted to go. Silly me.

Little did I know, that this conference would change my life.

June 12- 16, 2016, I had the honor to attend Turning Point USA's Young Women's Leadership Summit in Dallas, TX. There were many speakers there who had many profound things to say and many "keep fighting" speeches that inspired every young lady, and the few males, who attended.

While at YWLS, I had a phone interview to write for Odyssey, and I promised myself I would write an article on the impact this conference had on me. Though I am a few weeks late, this is the list of the things that stood out at me as I sat under speaker after encouraging speaker those few days in Dallas, Texas:

1. "What you are is God's gift to you; what you do with yourself is your gift to God."

The room was dead quiet as former GOP presidential candidate, Carly Fiorina, gave her moving speech. During this speech, a number of important things were said, but this quote stood out to me more than anything. We are all put in this world for a reason. The God-given talents that He gave us are what we use to fulfill the purpose we have. Thank you Carly for your words of encouragement.

2. EVERY ISSUE IS A WOMEN'S ISSUE.

This was probably the most widely covered topic, being that it was a women's conference. This, I believe, is the point that we were meant to take from YWLS. People will try to tell us that issues like abortion and birth control are the only things we should worry about because we are women. That is simply not true. Every matter that is brought before the American people is a matter that we should take seriously and fight for. This includes, but is not limited to, the economy, gun rights, free speech, and foreign affairs. There are no issues strictly meant for men or women; if you are an American, it concerns you.

3. "Attitude is everything."

Katie Pavlich, author of Assault and Flattery, spoke these words. Though I have heard them throughout my entire life, these words hit me like a brick. For some reason, I had never connected one's attitude and politics (even though, now that I look back, the two are quite connected). In politics and life, we have to carry ourselves in a way that, if the whole world was watching, we would be proud. How we act now has an effect on our endeavor for success in the future. Extra advice from Katie: make sure that you dress for success. As Polonius said in Hamlet, "For the apparel oft proclaims the man."

4. "Facts don't care about your feelings."

After Ben Shapiro said this, the room erupted in applause. Despite the problems that arose concering Shapiro's travel to YWLS, he was still so gracious as to do a Skype call and do his speech that way. As probably one of the Top Five anticipated speakers for YWLS, we all expected a lot of the Editor-In-Chief of DailyWire. And as the fantastic man he is, he delivered. In short, no matter what the issue is, no matter how we feel about any issue, facts are facts.

5. "Nothing will change short of a revolution."

Joe Walsh. Former Congressman, Joe Walsh. I won't lie, up until the week before YWLS, I was not very familiar with this man, and, boy, was I missing out. The passion for the conservative values inside Walsh is something that we should admire and aspire to have. The fiery patriot was nothing short of inspiring. He made sure to make us understand that, right now, both sides of the political spectrums are in trouble. That the only people who will be on the frontline of fighting to keep America free will be us- the millennials. We have to revolutionize this country. We have to fight for our God-given freedoms being taken from us as every day passes.

6. "Fight for people not against things."

I may be biased, but Aubrey Blankenship, Director of Communications for American Majority, was one of my favorite speakers. Maybe it was because she is a Liberty University alumna (Go Flames!), but she definitely had some amazing things to say. Her speech gave us tips on how to present ourselves on social media. This was one of the most important things she said: don't attack people. Attack ideas and fight for those who can't defend themselves.

7. Don't give up on what people can do.

Business Foster Friess spoke twice at YWLS. Both times, what he had to say was moving and heartwarming. One of the most important things he said was this. Do not give up on people. Do not overlook their potential simply because they are not their yet.

(In picture, Foster is on the far right)

8. "Women don't need government to succeed."

This statement basically sums up the entirety of YWLS. We. as women, as Americans, and humans, do not nor will never need a government to tell us how to live our lives. We do not need regulation after regulation to keep us from exercising our human rights. We can climb the ladder of success without the help of government that is too big already. All it takes is the drive to do something on your own.

Thank you Turning Point for the opportunity you gave me in the conference. You are truly an inspiring organization that, truly, is the epitome of conservative values. I applaud you on your huge presence in this political world.

Thank you for inspiring me to do something besides sit on the sidelines.