History of the NFRW

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History

History of the North Carolina Federation of Republican Women

The North Carolina Federation of Republican Women affiliated with the NFRW in 1953. Our "roots" began during the victorious campaigns of President Eisenhower and North Carolina Congressman Jonas in 1952. Fourteen unit clubs were represented at the first convention held in Hickory, NC on April 11, 1953. Those clubs were Alexander County, Buncombe County, Burke County, Caldwell County, Catawba County, Charlotte-Mecklenburg, Forsyth County, Henderson County, Jackson County, Madison County, Polk County, Sampson County, Transylvania County and Wake County. Today, the NCFRW has 56 chartered clubs and over 2,100 members. This represents growth of about 10% in 2009.

We have continued this legacy as NCFRW aggressively assisted with the elections of Congresswomen Sue Myrick from Charlotte and Virginia Foxx from Boone, and U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole from Salisbury. NCFRW members are praised for their efforts in the election of seven Republican U.S. House of Representatives out of 13 districts and our two Republican U.S. senators. Linda Shaw, our national committeewoman, is to be applauded for her presence at the national level as a Federated woman. In 2006, a Federated Republican woman, Jean Preston, was the only Republican in North Carolina to defeat a sitting Democrat.

North Carolina Federated women were highly visible in North Carolina's two gubernatorial victories. In 1973, James E. Holshouser Jr. was sworn-in as the first Republican governor of the century, and James G. Martin was the second in 1984.

We have continued this legacy as NCFRW aggressively assisted with the elections of Congresswomen Sue Myrick and Virginia Foxx, NC Labor Commissioner Cherie Berry, as well as sending seven Republican women to the NC House and two Republican women to the NC Senate. Dr. Ada Fisher was elected as the North Carolina national committeewoman in 2008.

NCFRW has five regions and 56 clubs. Our goal continues to be informing, educating and training our members to be activists and candidates. Our web site helps provide members across our state with the resources to be an effective leader. Club presidents and members stay connected statewide through our weekly E-news and Legislative emails, and have immense effectiveness with the residents in each community by being informed on the issues. NCFRW has been praised for our leadership action in community service and leadership positions at the local and state party levels. Our RISE program offers measurable results to encourage clubs to be active and increase membership.

Through our Caring for America program, NCFRW has raised more than $20,000 in scholarship funds for children of American servicemen killed in the war. NCFRW established a scholarship funded by personal contributions to assist teachers across our state on behalf of our former first lady, Dottie Martin. The Dottie Martin Teachers Scholarship Fund supports future educators with a $500 scholarship for multiple applicants annually. The Honorary Life Member program began in 1963 to recognize women leaders that have provided outstanding services to the Republican Party, with unit clubs recommending their nominees to the NCFRW.

In 2010, the Federation will continue to make a difference at the grassroots level on the issues that affect our state, strive to increase our membership and work towards supporting our Republican candidates on the local, state and federal level.

Ginger H. Alexander, 1975-77

Alma Tilghman, 1973-75

Mary Alice Warren, 1971-73

Marie Rowe, 1969-71

Anne Hickman, 1966-69

Robenia Smith, 1965-66

Frances Yow, 1963-65

Roxie Simpson, 1961-63

Helen Verbyla, 1959-61

Hila Straten, 1956-59

Emma Lassiter, 1955-56

Lesslie Koontz, 1955