The Real-Work Experience at CWA
CWA assigns each intern to one department in the organization based on the interests they denote in their application. We have six different areas in which interns can work:

Media & Grassroots Relations
Supervisor: Alison Howard, Communications Coordinator and Assistant to the CEO

Description: The purpose of the Media Department is to promote the organization's goals, purposes, objectives and activities to the general public. The Media Department authors press releases, schedules media appearances for CWA spokespeople, coordinates press conferences or similar events, and monitors CWA's presence in the media.

Legislation & Public Policy
Supervisor: Shari Rendall, Director of Legislation and Public Policy

Description: CWA's Legislation & Public Policy Department spearheads our presence on Capitol Hill, advancing our six core issues through legislation in Congress. The national office tracks federal legislation and represents CWA's concerns to the United States Congress on various issues affecting women and the family. It also oversees and coordinates "Project 535," a volunteer citizen lobbying program. The department also is responsible for keeping other departments informed on legislation introduced and movements of legislation in Congress which affect CWA policy concerns.

Field Department
(Grassroots Development: State and Local Affairs)
Supervisor: Kenda Bartlett, National Field Director

Description: The purpose of the Field Department is to oversee CWA State Chapters and Prayer/Action chapters - what we call "the backbone of CWA." The main focus of the Field Department is to build the grassroots into an effective and informed arm of the organization. The field structure is composed of area representatives, district leaders and local prayer/action chapters. Each area has its own steering committee and works on local issues as well as national concerns. The department recruits and educates prospective leaders, assisting them in organizing and developing a strong representation of CWA in their state. This is accomplished through training programs, including special meetings at the Leadership Training Conference each year.

Beverly LaHaye Institute
(women's studies think tank; writing/research)
Supervisor: Dr. Janice Shaw Crouse, Senior Fellow of the Beverly LaHaye Institute

Description: The Beverly LaHaye Institute was established in 1999 with a mission to conduct, promote and disseminate research and analysis that will:

  • increase understanding of women's concerns and issues
  • help preserve and strengthen the family
  • undergird the Judeo-Christian foundation of American culture
  • track American cultural and demographic trends, and
  • inform and educate policymakers and opinion leaders, media and the general public.

CWA Legislative Action Committee
(state and federal legislation)
Supervisor: Mike Mears, Director of State and Legislative Relations

Description: CWA Legislative Action Committee is the legislation and advocacy arm of Concerned Women for America, and as such, it confronts many issues facing American citizens. CWA Legislative Action Committee influences the president, the federal administration, the executive branch, the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of Representatives, the federal judiciary, state governments, and local officials.

Development & Donor Relations
Supervisor: Cherie Short, Director of Development and Coalitions

Description: The Development team manages CWA's donor base and fundraising strategy, as well as reaching out to prospective supporters of CWA. The main directive of this Department is to keep CWA in a strong position to continue carrying our mission into the coming years and generations.

Concerned Women for America
1015 Fifteenth St. N.W., Suite 1100
Washington, D.C. 20005
Phone: (202) 488-7000
Fax: (202) 488-0806
E-mail: mail@cwfa.org