Students pose in the photo booth at NYFLC (Amelia Crawford)
Armed with the determination to shape their future, over 300 young feminists from across the country gathered at the National Young Feminist Leadership Conference to raise their voices, build power, and fuel a movement.
The National Young Feminist Leadership Conference (NYFLC), hosted by the Feminist Majority Foundation, brought together student leaders, activists, and changemakers for a weekend packed with bold conversations, hands-on trainings, and an unshakable commitment to justice. From rallying for reproductive rights to strategizing around the Equal Rights Amendment, this was more than just a conference—it was a launchpad for action.
This year, students from 76 schools across 22 states converged in Washington, D.C. for a weekend of powerful workshops, panels, and strategy sessions designed to equip the next generation of activists for the fights ahead. Standout sessions tackled everything from the growing backlash against women, gender, and sexuality studies in higher education, to countering violence against reproductive health providers. Other popular panels explored the political weaponization of the trans community and the far-reaching human rights impacts of U.S. foreign policy.
The weekend culminated with Congressional Visit Day, as more than 100 students turned their passion into power by meeting directly with their representatives on Capitol Hill. The day kicked off with Rep. Jennifer McClellan (D-VA-04), who inspired the students with a powerful speech, followed by a dynamic panel of Hill staff, lobbyists, and feminist activists to demystify the inner workings of Congress and gave students the tools to advocate boldly and effectively for feminist policies where it matters most.
A central focus of the day was the urgent push to enshrine the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) in the U.S. Constitution. Students came prepared with drafted letters: thanking members that are already champions of the ERA and calling on others to step up and support constitutional gender equality.
After their Congressional visits, students gathered for lunch at the historic Belmont-Paul Women’s Equality National Monument, which was home to the National Woman’s Party for more than 90 years. The students reflected on their experiences over the weekend and mapped out how to carry the momentum back to their campuses and communities.
Virginia State Senator Jennifer Carroll Foy offered the students a stirring reminder of the legacy young feminists carry. “We were built for this moment,” she declared. “We stand on the shoulders of amazing women who came before us, who laid the foundation, who showed us the framework to never back down from a fight, to never say no, to never sit in the back, to make sure our voices are heard.”
As the conference came to a close, students didn’t leave with just inspiration—they left with a mission. Fueled by history and united in purpose, they returned to their campuses ready to organize, mobilize, and build feminist power in every corner of the country.