Welcome to the Republican Women's Federation (RWFM)
official website!
The first Michigan Women’s Republican Club was formed in Detroit in 1919 – in the spring before the Michigan Legislature gave women the right to vote. The Republican Women’s Federation of Michigan was founded in 1925, thirteen years before the National Federation of Women was organized in 1938. The NFRW has a beautiful and historic headquarters building in Alexandria, VA.
Nationally, we are over 100,000 members strong with chapters in 48 states plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. There are 34 clubs in Michigan with almost 1,600 members.
Our mission is to increase the effectiveness of women in government through active political participation, to promote an informed electorate through political education, work for the election of the Republican Party’s candidates, and support and assist the Republican Party.
Brief History of Republican Women's Clubs
Republican Women's Clubs were inspired by the Republican Platform of 1872, which said: "The Republican Party is mindful of its obligations to the loyal women of American for their noble devotion to the cause of Freedom." The oldest Republican Women's club on record was founded in Salt Lake City in 1899. The National Repubican Women's Federation today has 1825 affiliate clubs in all 50 states plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam and the Virgin Islands. Its individual membership exceeds 100,000.
The National Women's organziation was founded at a conference held at the Palmer AHouse in Chicago, September 23-24, 1938. With the encouragement of Republican National Chairman John D. M. Hamilton, it was organized under the direction of Miss Marion Martin, then Assistant Chairwoman of the Republican National Committee and National Committeewoman for Maine. The original organizational meeting took place in Chicago on November 4, 1937, when 38 of the women members of the Republican National Committee met to discuss the "desirability" of federating: "to foster and encourage loyalty to the Republican Party and the ideals for which it stands; to closer cooperation between independent groups and the regular party organization which are working for the same objectives, namely, sound government, to promote interchange of ideas and experiences of various clubs to the end that the policies which have proven particularily effective in one state may be adopted in another; and to encourage a national attitude and national approach to the problems facing the Republican Party."
The organization originally was known as the National Federation of Women's Republican Clubs of America (NFWRC). The name was changed in January 1953 to the National Federation of Republican Women (NFRW). At the time of organization in 1938, clubs totaling 95,000 members had applied for affiliation. Since 1952, the Federation's President serves as an ex-officio member of the Executive Committee of the Republican National Committee.
The first Michigan Women's Republican Club was formed in Detroit in 1919, in the spring before the Michigan Legislature gave women the right to vote. The Republican Women's Federation of Michigan was founded in 1925, thirteen years before the National Federation of Women was organized in 1938. Michigan was one of the original 11 statewide Federations organized as charter members of the NFRWC in 1938. To be considered "statewide" at that time, a State Federation or a club had to have members in 60 percent of the counties of the state.
RWFM Past Presidents
Nola Rae Batch Battle Creek 2006
Mary Abel Temperance 2000
Lorraine Corl Saginaw 1998
Barbara Cable Grand Rapids 1994
Eleanor Whitson Bloomfield 1991
ElsieChristensen Montague 1990
Irene Mitchell Rochester 1986
Joyce Kleiman Portage 1982
Carol Josephson Grand Rapids 1978
Dianna Forster Traverse City 1974
Dorothy Borg Grand Rapids 1972
Isabel Haynes Farmington 1968
Ruth Hobbs Ann Arbor 1966
Dorothy Benton Battle Creek 1961
Mrs. Thomas Willmore 1957
Ella Koeze Grand Rapids 1953
Catherine Gibson Monroe 1948
Mrs. Lee Richardson Lansing 1943
Dr. Hazel Bacheller St. Joseph 1941
Murel H. Defoe Charlotte 1939
Mrs. George Rogers Jackson 1933
Mrs. C.L. Barber Lansing 1929
Isabel Larwill Adrian 1925
Mackinac Republican Leadership Conference
September 25-27, 2009
www.mackinacconference.com
I (Ron Weiser) am pleased to announce that registration is officially open for the 28th Biennial Mackinac Republican Leadership Conference! We are in the midst of planning this exciting event, which will be held September 25-27, 2009, and you can find constant updates on our website, www.mackinacconference.com
This year’s conference will provide an exciting opportunity for Republicans to again gather at the magnificent Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island as we recharge, refocus and recognize that “Our Ideas Win in ’10!” We have invited many exciting special guests and a number of them have already accepted. More information on our guests will be forthcoming.
We have done our best to keep conference costs down in this difficult economic time. Conference registration is $75 per person online and $85 per person by mail, with children 15 and under free with a registered adult. After July 6, registration will increase to $100 per person. We have negotiated discounted ferry tickets from Shepler’s Mackinac Island Ferry, and we are able to pre-sell them at 25% off the regular rate.
In an effort to Go Green, registration and ferry passes will be handled electronically. It is important to us that we make this experience as simple and as pleasant as we can for you. Once you register and purchase your ferry passes, confirmation will be sent to you along with additional conference information.
Hotel blocks on Mackinac Island will open July 6. You must be registered for the conference and have received your conference confirmation code in order to obtain a room in one of the conference registration blocks.
Again, please remember to visit www.mackinacconference.com for additional information on the conference. If you have any additional questions please feel free to contact our office at info@mackinacconference.com or 517-487-5413.
I hope to see you on the Island in September!
Best Regards, Ron Weiser, Chair Michigan Republican Party
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Thank you and happy browsing!