As more women are coming into the shooting sports and becoming more active in supporting, and protecting their Second Amendment Rights, it is exciting to also see that the NRA Nominating Committee has nominated so many women to the 2018 NRA Board of Directors. Many of the elements of firearm-ownership, hunting and self-protection are unique to the female shooter, so I sat down with the newest nominees to ask them their opinion on some of those issues.
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In this article, you will meet (in alphabetical order) Julie Golob, Carrie Lightfoot, Il Ling New, and Kristy Titus (at the time of this writing Edie Plimptom Fleeman and Carolyn Meadows did not respond to requests for an interview). Other names that appear on the list of nominees, such as Maria Heil and Kim Rhode, are already serving on the Board and are up for reelection, and therefore were not interviewed as part of this article, which is focused specifically on the newest nominees who have not previously served.
It is my hope that as you are evaluating the various 2018 Nominees to the NRA Board of Directors, you will find this article a valuable resource to help you get to know these women a bit better and what each one would bring to the 2018 NRA Board of Directors.
Julie Golob
Julie Golob is a Champion, Army veteran, author and ambassador to the firearms industry, Julie is more than just a professional shooter, she’s truly passionate about the National Rifle Association mission. From participation in Town Hall and pro-gun articles she contributes to America’s First Freedom, this NRA Benefactor is also the lead trainer for NRA Women’s Love At First Shot on NRATV.
Julie found her love for shooting and an appreciation of the Second Amendment at a young age. Competing in action shooting matches with her father as a young girl, a weekend hobby turned into a career as an accomplished professional athlete with over 50 world and national titles. Julie is also a published author and is regularly featured on outdoor television programming, offering helpful tips, introduction and insight into the shooting.
Last, but certainly not least, Julie is a loving wife and a mother who believes the preservation of gun rights and firearm safety starts with family and in the home. Julie is committed to her lifelong role as an ambassador to the shooting sports, sharing the importance of safe, responsible gun ownership and the Second Amendment.
What would you say uniquely qualifies you to serve on the NRA Board of Directors?
As a professional shooter with a passion for the shooting sports extending more than 25 years, I am extremely familiar with the NRA’s competitive shooting programs as well as many other shooting sports. According to research by the NSSF it is estimated that more than 50 million Americans participated in “target shooting” in 2014. This represents a huge demographic that the National Rifle Association must reach. Cultivating firearm programs to make shooting sports accessible for those who identify as recreational shooters and connecting the joy of shooting with the Second Amendment is critical in the fight to preserve our rights.
What does the Second Amendment mean to you, and why is it important to you to protect and preserve this part of the Bill of Rights?
In America, we take freedom for granted. When you live in country where, as a man or woman, you can speak your mind, believe what you wish and vote, it is hard to imagine life without those rights. For too many the Second Amendment is an afterthought or unnecessary because these individuals simply assume they will always have their freedom. To them, the battle was won long ago.
Those who understand what freedom is know that, to truly be free, you must also have the right to defend freedom. We all know the saying that absolute power corrupts absolutely. To simply trust those in power and the potentially corrupt, welcomes oppression. Arms and specifically firearms are the ultimate American tools. Not only do we use them for protection, hunting and recreation, they are our line of defense against any and all that would deny us the most basic rights.
Preserving the Second Amendment is also personal for me. As a woman and a mother of daughters, knowing there are places in the world where women are silenced, oppressed and even mutilated, just because they are female, is not just shocking, it’s terrifying. It’s why I teach my girls that they have value, the right to freedom, and responsibility to defend it.
Should you be elected, what experience(s) will you bring to help make future policy within the NRA, as a Board Member?
If elected, I will bring with me the champion mindset that has helped me realize many personal accomplishments. I know the steps necessary to make realistic goals and achieve them, both on and off the range. Not only must we engage in the immediate battles that threaten gun rights, but we must always think of making progress for the Second Amendment. I will work to find ways to maintain engagement with our current members while also connecting and expanding our reach to women and younger generations.
If you are successfully elected to the Board, what is one area you would like to be instrumental in changing or growing within the NRA? And, how would you make that happen?
I believe it is important that we not just look at the NRA as an umbrella for competition shooters, hunters and concealed carry holders who believe in the Second. Instead we must look at it as a network with strong elements that are bonded together in common beliefs and goals.
Real progress requires frequent audits to assess programs and determine their effectiveness because a program or outlet represents a touch point to a member or potential member. The NRA has so many excellent programs and media outlets, but most run independently of one another as segments of the NRA. I propose we make those audits with the goal to bring awareness to these programs, make necessary updates or adjustments, and help connect the dots between them. Successfully communicating their value to our full membership and beyond will help us use what we already have to grow even greater.
Adding in the responsibilities of NRA Board Member to your already very busy schedule, how will you stay accessible to, and connected with your Constituents, who are NRA Members all across the country?
I have always viewed gun owners as a community, and one that I am very proud to be a part of. I have already been asked if my nomination is one of a celebrity nature. Nothing could be further from the truth. I am committed to doing the best I can for our organization. If you follow me on social media, you know that despite a rather large following I make it a point to read and actively comment. I have even created a dedicated email list and Facebook group for those interested in connecting with me specifically with regard to the NRA. I often tell my daughters that listening is a super power. I am committed to listening to our member and those who are considering joining us.
As Members might have questions or concerns, how can they reach out to you?
I have a page dedicated to the campaign on my website at https://www.juliegolob.com/julieg-for-nra and I can also be reached through various social media accounts: Facebook.com/JulieGolob, Twitter.com/JulieG1 and Instragram.com/JulieGolob.
Carrie Lightfoot
Carrie Lightfoot is the founder and owner of The Well Armed Woman, LLC, and founder and Chairwoman of the Board of TWAW Shooting Chapters Inc. a 501(c)3 Non profit organization with 230 chapters in 50 states. Named in Newsmax as one of 2015’s 100 Most Influential Pro-Gun Rights Advocates. The Well-Armed Woman is the largest and most trusted women’s resource in the USA, committed to bringing innovative products, training and information to women gun owners everywhere.
Carrie is a published author with articles in leading industry magazines and of her book “The Well Armed Woman’s Concise Guide To Concealed Carry”. She is a popular national speaker and frequent guest in national media including TIME Magazine, NBC Nightly News, USA Today, FOX News and NRA News.
What would you say uniquely qualifies you to serve on the NRA Board of Directors?
Because my passion, work, and focus is women’s armed self-protection, I bring a unique understanding of the American woman gun owner. Women are coming to gun ownership primarily because they want and need the ability and the tools to protect herself and her loved ones and as the largest and fastest growing demographic in the industry, it is critical that they have a voice and representation. My understanding of who she is and what is important to her will allow me successfully give women a voice in the Second Amendment conversation. I also believe my experience as a business owner, entrepreneur and non-profit leader within the women’s firearms industry allows me the opportunity to bring the voice of the small business owner and mission-driven organizations to the table as well.
I believe some of the most significant strengths I bring to the table are my strong relationship building skills and my ability to communicate and articulate a message effectively. I am a no-nonsense person with the confidence to not only carry a message but to hold fast to what I believe to be true. My common sense “see it as it is” and “speak it as it is” style keeps me on track to accomplish what I set my sights on.
What does the Second Amendment mean to you, and why is it important to you to protect and preserve this part of the Bill of Rights?
Naturally, the right to protect my life and those I love with the most effective tool available is vital to me. Any restrictions placed on the law-abiding citizen that limits their ability, in any way to protect themselves is very concerning and not acceptable to me. What is most important to me at this time is the assault that is taking place on these rights. The rights that the Bill of Rights secure, are not “given” to us by the government, nor is the government “allowing” us to have them. Rather, they are rights we have as human beings, imparted to us by our Creator, God, and are protected from the government and secured in the Bill of Rights. They…
