Member Spotlight

Laura Parkinson

Laura Parkinson

Laura covered the 2007 NNPCW annual leadership event for the Presbyterian News Service. Read the story.

How and when did you get involved with the National Network of Presbyterian College Women?

 I got involved with NNPCW through the Ecumenical Christian Ministries campus pastor at the University of Kansas, who attends my church. When I ran into him over the summer, he mentioned the conference, and it seemed like a great opportunity. NNPCW’s mission statement gave me more insight into the network, and I knew that I wanted to be a part of that group.

What are some of the things that you like about NNPCW?
 
I love the connections that I made with the powerful and intelligent women that I met at the conference. I could have stimulating conversations and take great ideas back to my campus. Since the conference was in Washington, D.C., the speakers offered their experiences on how they use their faith in the public sphere; these insights were very pertinent considering the upcoming elections. We were able to learn the many facets of several campaign issues.

Where you are from?

Lawrence, Kansas, but I attend the rival school the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri (journalism major).

Would you recommend another college Presbyterian woman to be a part of NNPCW?

Absolutely. The leadership event gave me a lot to take back to my campus and a lot to think about after the event was over. It gave me an incentive to participate more in the network and take all that it has to offer, which is tremendous. NNPCW is a small niche for women who want their ideas heard and are not afraid to take the initiative to make changes on their campuses. I felt empowered after the conference and came away with a renewed sense of mission and purpose.