The New Wave of Courageous Young Conservative Women

Across the country, a new force is reshaping the cultural and political landscape—and they’re not waiting for permission. Young conservative women, many inspired by leaders like former NCAA athlete Riley Gaines, are stepping boldly into the national spotlight, challenging entrenched institutions and inspiring others to speak up. Their message is clear: Courage is contagious, and this generation isn’t backing down.  

A Voice That Sparked a Movement

Riley Gaines didn’t go searching for controversy. She simply refused to be silent when women’s opportunities, fairness in competition, and basic biological reality were placed on the chopping block. After tying with male-born swimmer Lia Thomas at the NCAA Championships, Riley discovered firsthand what happens when institutions won’t defend women—and she decided she would. Her story quickly became a catalyst for thousands of young women who share similar concerns about fairness, safety, and transparency. What began as one young athlete’s advocacy has become a cultural inflection point.  

The Larger Movement: Young Women Stepping Up

This rising cohort of young conservative women is:

• Taking leadership roles in campus organizations
• Spreading truth through podcasts, grassroots media, and social platforms
• Testifying in state legislatures
• Standing for free speech in high-pressure academic environments
• Demanding fairness in women’s sports and clarity in K–12 education policy

These young leaders share something in common: they are motivated not by ideology, but by lived experience and a desire to protect their own opportunities—and those of girls coming after them.  

BY THE NUMBERS: The New Faces of Influence

• 72% of college women believe fairness in women’s sports is important
• Millions have viewed testimony and interviews from young female activists
• 40+ states have introduced or passed legislation protecting women’s sports
• Thousands of students and young adults** are publicly challenging school policies affecting parental rights, fairness, and transparency

Young women are not just participating—they’re leading.  

MY TAKE: Suzanne Gallagher, Parents’ Rights In Education

This moment matters more than most people realize. For years, the cultural narrative suggested that young women in America leaned overwhelmingly toward progressive ideology. But this new generation of conservative women is proving that courage, common sense, and conviction are alive and well. Why does this matter to us in K–12 education? Because these young women are products of the very system we are fighting to reform. They felt the pressure to stay silent. They know what happens when students are intimidated or policies are hidden. And now, as adults, they are telling the truth loudly—sometimes more boldly than their elders. Their leadership reminds us of a fundamental truth: when parents won’t speak, young people often will. And when both stand together, change becomes unstoppable.  

THE RIPPLE EFFECT IN POLICY & CULTURE

This new generation’s leadership has already sparked real change:

• State legislatures are prioritizing fairness in women’s athletics
• School boards are facing renewed pressure from students and parents
• Young women are organizing grassroots events and speaking tours
• Media outlets—mainstream and independent—are covering debates they once avoided

These young leaders are shifting the cultural gravity because they speak with authenticity. They are witnesses, not theorists.  

CALL TO ACTION

1. Encourage Young Voices

If you know high-school or college-aged students willing to speak up—support them. Encourage them to attend school board meetings, write op-eds, or join PRE student projects.

2. Amplify Their Message

Share interviews, testimony, and grassroots content from these courageous young women. Their voices matter—and they resonate.

3. Get Involved with PRE

Join us in equipping the next generation of courageous leaders through the PRE Leadership Center, affiliate training, and weekly action items. 👉 Start or join a PRE Affiliate 👉 Take the PRE Score 👉 Participate in Club 12×12 👉 Become part of a national network protecting parental rights  

THE BOTTOM LINE

Young conservative women are reshaping the national conversation with clarity, courage, and conviction. They are not the future of this movement—they are the present. And at Parents' Rights In Education, we stand with them.