Caring for America Photo Album History

.... It all began in 1854 The Whig Party "operated" from the 1830's to the mid 1850's when it imploded on itself.  Women did not have the right to vote but they recognized the importance of national affairs on their lives and determined to become involved in shaping the politics and policies of the government.  Women, and Republican Women's clubs have been an important part of the Republican Party since its inception. In 1854 three women attended the founding meeting of the Republican Party which was held in Ripon, Wisconsin.   The Republican women actively campaigned for the first Republican candidate, John Fremont. They were even more energized and helped elect Abraham Lincoln. In 1917, Jeannette Rankin, a Montana Republican, became the first woman to sere in the House of Representatives.  She was elected by men - and could not even cast a vote for herself because the 19th Amendment to the Constitution which gave all citizens the right to vote was not passed until 1917. Additional information is available on the NFRW web site and on the web.  Our history is fascinating! __________________________________________________ History of the National Federation of Republican Women Republican women's clubs have existed for at least 100 years.  Inspired by the Republican Platform of 1872, which said: "The Republican Party is mindful of its obligation to the loyal women of America for their noble devotion of the cause of Freedom." Republican women's clubs were off and running.  The oldest club on record was founded in Salt Lake City, Utah in 1899. Under the direction of Miss Marion E. Martin, the Assistant Chairman of the Republican National Committee and National Committeewoman for Maine and with the encouragement of Republican National Chairman, John D. M. Hamilton an organizational meeting took place in Chicago on November 4, 1937.  Thirty-eight women members of the Republican National Committee met to discuss the "desirability" of federating. The National Federation of Republican women was founded at a conference held at the Palmer House Hotel in Chicago, September 22-23-1938.  The delegates adopted rules for governing the establishment of a National Federation of Republican Women's Clubs, to promote education along political lines and to encourage the following purposes: "To foster and encourage loyalty to the Republican Party and the ideals 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 particularly 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 was originally 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). __________________________________________________ Republican Women in Hancock County This section is a work in progress.  Hurricane Katrina took away many of our records, members who might be able to tell us more have passed away or moved away and the rest of us cannot always depend on the exactitude of our memory. Apparently, there was an HCRWC in the mid-60's.  Hancock County was staunchly Democrat (as was the State) and the fledgling club had its ups and downs and disbanded for a while.  The club started up again in the 1970's and has been active ever since.