Student Spotlight - Ariel Judah

As the granddaughter of a patriotic Korean War veteran, Ariel Judah grew up with a deep love of the United States and a great respect for conservative values. Ariel identifies her grandfather, a Chosin Reservoir survivor, as a great influence on her life. “From a young age, I recognized that America is the greatest force for good the world has ever known, and we should thank God that we live in the USA.” Being raised in a family with many small-business owners also gave her a firsthand look at the effects of big government and heavy regulations: “I have seen how bigger government means less opportunity for individual businesses to flourish and I am motivated to do everything I can to defend the American Dream.”

A strong defender of conservative ideas all her life, Ariel shows little fear in standing up to the liberal professors, administrators, and students in her classes at American University saying “[American University] is a radically liberal school so it is great training ground for conservative activists.” As a student, Ariel describes her college experience as being “bombarded with moral relativism and attacks on capitalism and traditional values.” Ariel took the initiative to defend her beliefs early in her college career and became involved in a number of campus groups and founded a club of her own to unite conservative students on her campus. “I am usually the only conservative student in class defending the conservative viewpoint,” says Ariel, “so I try to arm myself with the facts. The facts won’t convince the most committed leftists but they may sway those students who have yet to form strong opinions.”

Ariel took her activism to the next level when she went to the Capitol building to join a protest against the healthcare legislation shortly before its passage. “Standing at the steps of the Capitol with family members and fellow AU students, we chanted “kill the bill,” waved our homemade signs, and made it known that the American people were not going to stand for the Left’s blatant disregard of the Constitution.”

The Institute’s 2012 Woman of the Year Award recipient, Governor Sarah Palin, is the conservative woman leader that Ariel most aspires to emulate. “I admire her for her resilience in the face of all the vicious attacks launched against her and her family…she has inspired a new generation of conservative women to rise up and make their voices heard.”

Ariel encourages other college students to “stand up and be bold. Don’t be intimidated by your Leftist professors and classmates…follow in the steps of Ronald Reagan and be a happy warrior for the conservative cause!” A great example for conservative students to follow, Ariel will be soon graduating and hopes to pursue a career in conservative advocacy and public policy. She also wants to start a family “with a nice conservative husband who isn’t afraid of offending the femagogues with old-fashioned chivalry!”

"Be a happy warrior for the conservative cause"