Student wins award from Concerned Women for America

Amanda Haas, president of the Liberty University chapter of Concerned Women for America (CWA) — the nation’s largest conservative women’s organization — was awarded the Young Leader Award on March 29 at a politically star-studded gala in Washington, D.C.

Haas, a sophomore Government major, was honored at the Susan B. Anthony List Gala for her exceptional work in pro-life efforts at Liberty.

“It is such an honor; I am now inspired to continue on and do more for the pro-life movement in college, as well as in the years after,” Haas said.

As the executive secretary for Liberty’s Student Government Association (SGA), Haas helped organize the largest pro-life conference ever held on a college campus. The R.O.S.E. (Reclaiming Other’s Sacred Existence) weeklong conference in November 2009 raised awareness among students, the community and the nation about the pro-life movement and provided ongoing opportunities for students to continue to be involved. It featured speakers, political figures and guest Norma McCorvey, the plaintiff “Jane Roe” in the Roe vs. Wade Supreme Court case of 1973.

Haas also led a fundraiser on campus to benefit CompassCare, a pregnancy resource center that provides free ultrasounds and Christian counseling to women with unwanted pregnancies. She leads the Concerned Women for America chapter in bi-weekly prayer meetings where women on campus come together to pray for the Pro-Life movement, the nation’s leaders and various key issues.

In addition, Haas is a member of the College Republicans and has campaigned for local and national pro-life conservative candidates.

Janet Robey, CWA’s state director in Virginia, called Haas’ compassion and enthusiasm for the unborn “refreshing.”

“On the heels of a discouraging week, the award given to this deserving young lady lifted our spirits,” Robey said. “It was a nice reminder that we have an upcoming generation that is serious about pre-born children.”

Haas said Liberty’s CWA chapter is growing rapidly, with a major focus on building awareness.

“With just over 200 on the Facebook group, my personal vision is to see 1,000 LU students join with at least half of them actively involved so that we can do more locally and nationally to bring biblical principles and conservative values back to America,” she said.

• The Susan B. Anthony List Gala featured keynote addresses by Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty and Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minnesota). Also attending were Republican Representatives Steve King of Iowa, Trent Franks of Arizona, Todd Tiahrt of Kansas and Jean Schmidt of Ohio, and Jeri Thompson, the wife of former presidential candidate Fred Thompson. Mary Ellen Bork, the wife of Supreme Court nominee Richard Bork, presented the Young Leader Awards.
• Liberty University graduate Penny Young Nance (’88) was appointed the CWA’s new chief executive officer earlier this year. Read the full story here.