During FreedomFest, Jess had a chance to sit down with the President of LOLA, Nena Whitfield. Nena shared the story of the birth and development of LOLA and how our organization is unique and needed in the liberty movement.
Before starting LOLA, Nena worked for Senator Rand Paul as an assistant campaign manager and legislative aide on the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee.
“I think I think I had a similar road as many other women at [that] time, and so getting together with other women who felt passionately about liberty as well, we just saw there has to be more of this, we have to meet again…and now we’re all around the world with people who feel the same way, they’re finally meeting people with similar ideas.”
LOLA recently participated in the Liberty International World Conference held in Madrid, Spain from August 16th to 19th. During the event, LOLA members engaged in thought-provoking conversations with other attendees on several important topics. These included free speech, the war on drugs, the greatest threat to liberty, and whether being self-centered is beneficial.
“History has shown us why the drug war is not worthy enough of the money we put into and as a Colombian I can tell you 200 000 people have died just in the arm Columbian conflict from 1995 to 2005”
To view the full recap of the Liberty International World Conference, including pictures of LOLA members and attendees, click below!
LOLA ESPÍRITO SANTO
CAFÉ AS LOLA
Café as LOLA played a vital role in engaging and involving both new and current participants in planned activities for the Chapter in September and October. Two events have been scheduled for these months, with the larger event being held in October. This event will feature several panels discussing the prevention of violence against women. The development of this theme within the liberal spectrum is a unique aspect that sets LOLA apart in Espírito Santo and has the potential to attract more women to the organization.
The October event, titled “Violence Against Women – Prevent to Avoid,” is expected to be a significant milestone in LOLA’s positioning in Espírito Santo. Several initiatives have been planned before and after the event to ensure its success. The entire project and communication plan were discussed during the Café meeting. The September event will be a presentation for micro-entrepreneurs in a neighborhood on the outskirts of Vitória city and is part of the promotion strategy for the larger October event.
LOLA BRAZIL, RIO DE JANEIRO
BATE-PAPO SOBRE EMPREENDEDORISMO
The persistent wage gap is a pressing issue that needs to be addressed. One possible solution is to encourage and empower women to start their own businesses and become self-reliant. This can be achieved by providing them with the necessary support, confidence, and resources to achieve financial independence and freedom.
In order to achieve this, the Chapter brought together members, expanded the LOLA network, and fostered an environment of exchange and inspiration, where women can share their ideas and experiences about entrepreneurship, and take their first steps towards becoming successful businesswomen.
LOLA URUGUAY
LOLA PIZZA PARTY
LOLA Uruguay recently hosted a welcoming event to introduce new members. Attendees indulged in pizzas while engaging in insightful discussions covering topics such as individual rights, professional development, and economics. The ultimate goal is to organize similar events on a monthly basis to keep all members engaged and involved in the organization’s mission. Over 15 inspiring women attended, including four passionate new members who are excited to contribute to the cause.
LOLA WARSAW, POLAND
LANGUAGE OF LIBERTY
LOLA Poland attended the Language and Liberty event to connect with international friends from the liberty movement, enhance their English speaking skills, and strengthen the LOLA Poland community. It was especially significant because Maria Moreno from LOLA Colombia visited us. The objective was to showcase the global aspect of LOLA.
The highlight of the event was LOLA Chapter Operations Coordinator Maria Alejandra Moreno’s insightful speech. She elucidated the mission of LOLA, effectively conveying the organization’s core values to those new to the community. Later, Marina Brierley graced the stage with her impactful speeches on free market solutions to environmental challenges. Marina shared a gripping personal account of her family’s escape from Russia following the collapse of the Russian empire after the 1917 revolution, which serves as a poignant reminder that history often repeats itself. Thousands worldwide continue to seek refuge from oppressive regimes in pursuit of a more liberated future.
Tania Rak followed with an engaging discourse on comprehending the ethics of egoism. During her panel, Tania expounded upon the significance of situational awareness within social and global contexts, while also exploring the delicate balance between ethical egoism, self-interest, and altruism, all intertwined with a compassionate approach.
The event featured two male speakers as well, diversifying the discussion. Jan Kuban provided insights into what young individuals should be aware of when it comes to those in positions of authority. Glenn Cripe illuminated the origins of Liberty International, highlighting the importance and methodologies behind disseminating freedom through classical liberal ideals and entrepreneurship.
LOLA MINAS GERAIS
FÓRUM DA LIBERDADE E DEMOCRACIA
The Freedom and Democracy Forum is an annual event organized by the Leadership Training Institute. It features prominent speakers and offers opportunities for knowledge exchange, networking, and debates on relevant topics. The 2023 edition of the forum will revolve around the Principle of Creative Destruction and will showcase renowned market experts. LOLA’s participation in the event helped to spread awareness of the movement in the liberal environment and attract new members.
The main objective of participating in this event was to introduce the LOLA movement to the women in attendance. It was a significant
regional event that focused on liberalism, featuring informative lectures and networking opportunities. The Chapter realized that many women were not yet familiar with LOLA, so it was crucial to present the movement to them. The approach involved providing informative materials and engaging in conversations to spread the word about LOLA.