NFRW: Year of the Republican Woman

Sandy Adams won her Representative Seat in the 34th District of Florida. Adams is a member of the Atlantic RW branch of the NFRW. Congratulations Sandy Adams, this is your year.

The National Federation of Republican Women is calling this, the Year of Republican Women. The organization is "Celebrating Victory as Voters Take Back America!"

From the NFRW website:

Republican Women Make Historic Election Gains Across Nation
Republican women enjoyed widespread success in the general election and made a significant contribution to the historic federal and state gains made by the GOP. Both incumbents and newcomers were popular with voters, and several milestones were crossed.

It truely is the year of the Republican woman as evidenced by a 75,000 member increase in the NFRE. In a press release dated November 17, 2010, the NFRW stated:

Lynch attributes the NFRW's membership gains to many factors, including improved dissemination of information, expanded public relations and outreach efforts which have included national media exposure, increased usage of new media such as Facebook and Twitter, and collaboration with like-minded groups. Lynch says the elections also played a role. Republican women were energized by the Republican message and by the quality of Republican candidates, particularly the distinguished group of Republican women running at the federal and state levels.

Key Statistics from the Recent Election

Every incumbent Republican woman running for federal or statewide office won reelection Tuesday, with the exception of U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, whose race is still undecided.

According to the Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP), at least eight new Republican women won seats in the U.S. House, beating the previous record of seven Republican women newcomers in a single election. In addition, Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire won her race for the U.S. Senate. Two additional Republican women are still waiting for final calls on their close House races.

At the state level, three new Republican women were elected governor: Susana Martinez of New Mexico, Mary Fallin of Oklahoma and Nikki Haley of South Carolina. In addition, Jan Brewer won reelection as governor of Arizona, and at least a dozen Republican women were newly-elected to other statewide offices.

Republican women also made gains in state legislatures across the nation. The National Conference of State Legislatures reports that preliminary data shows Republican women gained more than 100 seats in state legislatures, from 529 in 2010 to 633 in 2011.

Founded in 1938, the NFRW has thousands of active members in local clubs across the nation and in several U.S. territories, making it one of the largest women’s political organizations in the country. The grassroots organization works to promote the principles and objectives of the Republican Party, elect Republican candidates, inform the public through political education and activity, and increase the effectiveness of women in the cause of good government.

Planning on a convention, trade show or conference?
Consider Renting your AV Equipment. Save time, we set it up and save money. Save up to 50% off the rates that most hotels and convention centers charge. Rentacomputer.com has a wide range of AV rentals delivered and installed, worldwide. Call today at 800-736-8772.

Women in Elective Office

In 2010, 90 women serve in the U.S. Congress. A record 17 women serve in the Senate, and 73 women serve in the House. The number of women in statewide elective executive posts is 72, while the proportion of women in state legislatures is 24.4 percent.

It is expected that Women of the GOP will pickup many seats this November despite Emily's List Attack on Rebuplican Women.

Here is the most recent statistics regarding women in eletive offices in the US.

CONGRESS
Women hold 90, or 16.8%, of the 535 seats in the 111th U.S. Congress -- 17, or 17.0%, of the 100 seats in the Senate and 73, or 16.8%, of the 435 seats in the House of Representatives.

• Seventeen women (4R,13D) serve in the Senate.
• Seventy-three women (17R, 56D) serve in the House.

STATEWIDE ELECTIVE EXECUTIVE OFFICES
In 2010, 72 women hold statewide elective executive offices across the country; women hold 22.9% of the 315 available positions. This is less than the number of women -- 88, or 27.4% -- serving in 2002.

Governor - 6 (3R, 3D)

Lieutenant Governor - 9 (3R, 6D)

Attorney General - 4 (4D)

Secretary of State - 12 (2R, 10D)

State Treasurer - 10 (2R, 8D)

State Comptroller - 4 (2R, 2D)

State Auditor - 8 (3R, 5D)

Chief State Education Official - 5 (1R, 3D, 1NP)

Commissioner of Insurance - 3 (1R, 2D)

Commissioner of Labor - 1R

Corporation Commissioner - 3 (2R, 1D)

Public Service Commissioner - 5 (5D)

Public Regulation Commissioner - 1D

Railroad Commissioner - 1R


STATE LEGISLATURES
In 2010, 1,799 (24.4%) of the 7,382 state legislators in the United States are women. Women currently hold 435 (22.1%) of the 1,971 state senate seats and 1,364 (25.2%) of the 5,411 state house seats. The number of women serving in state legislatures has increased more than four-fold since 1971.

The states with the highest percentages of women state legislators are:

New Hampshire – 37.5%
Vermont – 37.2%
Colorado – 37.0%
Minnesota – 34.8%
Hawaii – 32.9%
Washington – 32.7%
Nevada – 31.7%
Connecticut – 31.6%
Arizona – 31.1%
Maryland – 30.9%


MAYORS
As of February 2010, of the 100 largest cities in the United States, 7 had women mayors: Baltimore, Md.; Fresno, Calif.; Tampa, Fla.; Stockton, Calif.; Glendale, Ariz.; Chula Vista, Calif.; and, Houston, Texas.

As of January 2010, of the 249 mayors of cities with populations over 100,000, 36 (14.5%) were women. Of the 1,158 mayors of cities with populations over 30,000, 204 (17.6%) were women.

Source: Center for American Women and Politics, Rutgers University (Updated: 04/10)

--------------------------
Technology Rentals for National, State, and Local Campaigns

Linda Biamonte for New Jersey's 2nd

New Jersey's 2nd District is the largest in the entire state. It includes the entire Atlantic Coast, Cape May, Cumberland, County, Salem County, and parts of Gloucester, Burlington, and Camden Counties. All in all, it houses 82 municipalities. If New Jersey native Linda Biamonte gets her way, she'll be representing them all in Congress next year. As her website says, Biamonte wants to put "the 'represent' back in Representative."

Linda Biamonte grew up with her single mother in Ocean City, New Jersey, where she attended public schools and participated in a number of sports. She lettered in basketball and softball, and enjoyed surfing and skating. But she was also a good student, excelling in English and history, who could often be found in the library, doing research. According to her website, her upbringing helped her develop the values she'd like to bring to Congress,

"Because she is an only child raised by a single parent she learned independence and responsibility at a young age. Naturally, she came to appreciate teamwork, the value of a dollar and the closeness of community."

Biamonte, who is currently an Egg Harbor resident, is a strong supporter of our military. She has been a member of the Gathering of Eagles for four years, a group who works to "thwart unjust attacks against our Military" from groups such as Code Pink. The group is non-partisan and compromised of many smaller groups, including Band of Mothers and vets for Freedom. As a matter of fact, one of the main issues Biamonte is campaigning on is support of troops and veterans, including providing health care funding for soldiers who are deployed or injured in the line of duty, and ensuring that troop and veteran funding is never cut.

Biamonte is also a member of many other groups and causes; these include Operation Baghdad Pups, the ASPCA, Toys for Tots, Just Give, We Are a Republic and the NRA. As an NRA member, she supports Second Amendment rights, firearm ownership, and the right to bear arms, stating that "people kill people, not firearms," and "the lawless don't care about gun control laws, only the law abiding citizens care about laws." She's also pro-life and says there is no distinction between the born and unborn. She believes current abortion laws are "poorly constructed."

With a strong desire for self-improvement, Biamonte started out as a boardwalk waitress and went on to work in the food and beverage field, where she held a Union position, public relations, computers, and advertising media. She current serves as Vice President of Sales Americas at Civolution, an advertising technology firm. She put herself through school, advanced her education by retaining a Project Management IS/IT at Villanova, and considers herself, a self-made woman.

So what does Biamonte want to do for the business world? A true fiscal Conservative, she believes in putting "more money in the hands of investors and small businesses through investment tax cuts," cutting payroll taxes, and giving an investment tax cut to small businesses within the first year. Biamonte recognizes that small business owners are the backbone of the country and create the majority of the nation's jobs, and does not believe that creating more government jobs is the answer.

To read more about Linda Biamonte, vist her website here. The New Jersey primaries will be held on June 8.

---

Considering a projector rental or a plasma rental for your your next convention or event? Then Call a Tech Travel Agent today at 800-736-8772.

Sandy Adams for Congress in Flordia's 24th

"I have devoted my life to my family, my profession, and a personal crusade on behalf of the citizens of Florida." - Sandy Adams

Sandy Adams is no stranger to serving her country or the people of Florida. As a deputy sheriff, member of the United States Air Force, and member of the Florida House of Representatives, Adams has been doing just that for years. In addition to taking care of her family, she sees it as a top priority and that's probably why she's decided to take her service to the United States Congress. Here is a look at a true Conservative, who is running for Congress in Florida's 24th Congressional District.

Sandy Adams was born in Wyandotte, Michigan in 1956 and moved to Florida eight years later. After serving in the United States Air Force, Adams became a Deputy Sheriff and Investigator for the Orange County Sheriff's Office. She worked in law enforcement for nearly two decades, dedicating her life to the people of Florida. During that time, she also served as the President of the Central Florida Chapter Concerns of Police Survivors Incorporated. According to her official website, Adams knows what it's like to struggle, as many Americans are now. As a young woman, she found herself a single mother of a daughter, attempting to finish college. Today, both she and her daughter are college graduates. She got her BA in Criminal Justice Administration from Columbia College in 2000.

In 2002, Adams decided to take a different route to serving the people of her state. She ran for office, hoping to become a member of the Florida House of Representatives. She was elected and has been serving ever since. Once she was elected, she was tapped to head the Homeland Security Workers’ Compensation work group and served as Chair of the Seminole County Legislative Delegation. She went on to serve as Chair of the Orange County Legislative Delegation and is currently the Chair of the Seminole County Legislative Delegation again. She also currently serves as Chair of the Criminal and Civil Justice Appropriations Committee, Vice-Chair of the Criminal and Civil Justice Policy Council, Vice-Chair of the Public Safety and Domestic Security Policy Committee and Vice-Chair of the Select Committee on Seminole Indian Compact Review, and is a member of the Full Appropriations Council on General Government and Health Care and the Rules and Calendar Council.

As chair of the House Domestic Security Committee, Adams was a strong voice for security. She passed legislation that promoted security at seaports, general aviation airports, and hurricane preparedness and recovery. She helped schools receive adequate funding, helped promote sales tax relief, worked on getting tougher sentences for sexual predators, protecting victims and protecting personal information for concealed weapon permit holders. She also worked to ensure services for seniors and stood up against eminent domain laws. Recently, Adams has filed Enforcement of Immigration Laws legislation.

The Orlando Sentinel endorsed her runs for the Florida House and has called her, "an expert on public-safety issues and committed to the thankless but essential task of juvenile-justice reform." In 2006, the Sentinel printed, “Her success in that area and others, coupled with her ability to work across party lines, makes Ms. Adams the best…Her leadership skills are reflected in her ability to push successfully…Ms. Adams ‘ passion for public safety is understandable…But she’s branched beyond that expertise."

So, where does she stand on the issues? Adams has said that small businesses are what drives the Florida economy and believes the best thing the government can do for entrepreneurs is offer incentives for new technology and to attract businesses to areas where they are needed, not offer regulation and higher taxes that often drive small businesses away. She believes the tax code should be made simpler and people should not be penalized because they are married or own businesses. She has also proposed we remove the death tax.

Adams believes the nation should become energy independent. From her website,

"We need an energy policy that encourages all forms of energy including nuclear, clean coal, natural gas, wind, solar, geothermal, hydro power, and safe off shore oil drilling. I am opposed to the Cap and Trade legislation that would place a national energy tax on all American families and small businesses. If Cap and Trade passes, our local economy---more so than other states---will suffer. Families will pay higher utility rates and thousands will lose their jobs. We need an energy bill that saves jobs, improves our economy and promotes technology and innovation while moving our country towards energy independence."

Sandy Adams and her husband, John, live in Orlando. The couple has three children.

---

Considering a projector rental or a plasma rental for your your next convention or event? Then Call a Tech Travel Agent today at 800-736-8772.

Dr. Deborah Honeycutt for Congress in Georgia's 13th

Dr. Deborah Travis Honeycutt calls herself an "independent Frederick Douglass Republican." She says she's running for Congress because she's "angry" at what our government is doing. "Congresspersons are supposed to be leaders, servant leaders, serving the people and leading them toward solutions... I do believe that anyone in leadership must exhibit honest, integrity at the highest levels. Otherwise, we need to allow them the opportunity to do something else," she says on her website. And if Honeycutt has her way, Congressman David Scott of Georgia's 13th Congressional District will be allowed "the opportunity to do something else." Here is a look at Honeycutt's life and where she stands on the important issues facing Georgia and the United States.

Dr. Deborah Honeycutt was born in Chicago, Illinois and attended the University of Illinois - Urbana, where she received her Bachelor's degree in Dance Education, Master's degree in Dance, and eventually attended the school's College of Medicine, where she became a doctor and laid the foundation for what would be a very extensive career in the medical profession.

She's worked as a faculty member at Atlanta Medical Center's Family Practice Residency Training Program and has also worked as an educator at Emory University's Family Practice Residency Training Program. She's worked as a family physician at Georgia Baptist; at her own private practice, Five Points Family Practice in Fairburn, Georgia; and Eagles Landing Family Practice in Hampton, Georgia.

In 2004, Dr. Honeycutt became the President of the Georgia Academy of Family Physicians and later served as Chairman of the Board of Directors. She's been appointed to the American Academy of Family Physicians' Commission on Education and served twice as the Minority Constituency Delegate and twice as the Georgia State Delegate to the American Academy of Family Physicians. In 2005, she was appointed Medical Director of Good Shepherd Clinic, a free clinic located in Morrow, Georgia and she worked in this position until her decision to run for Congress.

She has been instrumental in lobbying for better health care at both the state and federal level and is very involved with the community and health care-related activism. She often speaks on topics that often affect African Americans such as diabetes, obesity, and domestic violence, and has served on the board of the CareNet Pregnancy Resource Center of Atlanta, as well as the Board of Directors of the Georgia Partnership for Caring. Currently, she is a member of the Georgia Free Clinic Network Board of Directors and is co-chair of the Georgia Department of Community Health Minority Health Advisory Council.

With all of this experience in health care under her belt, Dr. Honeycutt strongly opposes nationwide, government sponsored health care, saying the issues failed in other countries, and "a government sponsored one size fits all solution won't fit anyone." Instead, she feels we should rely on "free markets and multi group efforts that allow government to do its part and citizens to do their part." She says that when she was working in her own private practice, she was not able to help the people who most needed help because of government restrictions in place that prevented her from doing so and feels people should be empowered to help themselves, not to be helpless.

Dr. Honeycutt is also a proponent of the Fair Tax system. From her website,

"I have examined alternatives and found the FairTax to offer the best hope of returning our tax system to our constitutional principles, providing both increased fairness and dramatic simplification, as well as positioning this country to continue to prosper in the increasingly competitive global marketplace of the 21st century. "

Even though she's currently campaigning, Honeycutt continues to work as a volunteer physicians at the Good Shepherd free clinic. She has also taken an active roll, becoming a voice for issues in her community, such as community values and public education. She attends school board meetings in Clayton County, as well as Clayton County Home Owners Association meetings, and regularly meets with elected officials.

Dr. Honeycutt is married to Dr. Andrew Honeycutt, a Distinguished Fellow of Business at Shorter College. They are members of the Word of Faith Family Cathedral in Austell, Georgia and reside in Fayetteville, Georgia.

---

Considering a projector rental or a plasma rental for your your next convention or event? Then Call a Tech Travel Agent today at 800-736-8772.

26 Year Old Princella Smith for Congress in Arkansas

Anyone who has ever called the GOP the "party of old white guys" has obviously never met Princella Smith. Not only is she a proud member of the GOP, but she's young, she's black, and she's a woman. Oh, and she's running for Congress in Arkansas. So just who is this young woman who's taking the "Natural State" by storm? Here is a look at her short life leading up to her not-so-typical run for Congress.

Princella Smith has been public speaking since she was four years old and by the age of nine, she and her brothers were in high demand as keynote speakers at a number of church and education-based events, where they were often asked to recite Martin Luther King's entire "I Have a Dream" speech. But that's not all she did at a young age. Smith was involved in a number of academic and civic groups as a child. According to her website, she came in first place at two county spelling bees, won awards for writing, won quiz bowls, and was involved with Girl Scouts, Key Club, and Boys 2 Men/Girls 2 Women.

Smith attributes her success at such a young age to being raised in a small town with a strong foundation. She grew up in Wynne, Arkansas, raised by her father John Smith, a former school board vice president and the minister at Christian Fellowship Church and her mother Sandra Smith, the vice principal at Wynne High School.

In high school, she developed a passion for politics when she was sponsored by the Wynne chapter of the Women’s American Legion Auxiliary to attend Arkansas Girls State. There, she was elected out of about 900 girls as the 2001 Girls State Governor. That summer, she was awarded an internship with the state's Lt. Governor Win Rockefeller. During that internship, she was part of a life-changing moment. The Lt. Governor asked her to write a speech for him to give a college graduation. She did and he read it word for word, something he usually didn't do with his staff. Smith has said of that moment, "To see your billionaire, world-famous, Lt. Governor quote your words verbatim is overwhelming. Do you know what that does to a kid from the Delta?" In high school, Smith went on to letter in women's basketball, leading the team to its first state playoff appearance in years. She was elected to the Arkansas All-Star Basketball team, was her class president, and graduated with honors.

She went on to college at Ouachita Baptist University in Arkansas, where she majored in political science and minored in communications and history, and played for the school's women's basketball team. She is also a graduate of the Buckley School of Public Speaking. Smith went on to take part in internships with former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, U.S. Congressman John Boozman of Arkansas, and served a clerkship at the U.S. Department of Labor. In 2004, she won a speech/essay contest sponsored by MTV called "Stand Up and Holla." That same year, she spoke at the Republican National Convention, just before First Lady Laura Bush addressed the nation.

In 2006, she served as the E-Campaign Director for then Maryland Lt. Governor and current Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele. In that position, she managed all electronic communications for the campaign, including the official campaign website. She has also served as a Communications Director and as the National Spokesperson for American Solutions and has been a guest lecturer at the Leadership Institute, speaking on topics such as "New Media" and "Grassroots Activism." She is also a visiting fellow at the Independent Women's Forum and has worked as a political contributor for the following media outlets: FOX News, FOX Business News, CNN, CBS, MSNBC, BET, Bloomberg News, PBS, France 24, EuroAmerican News, Danish Broadcasting, NPR, the New York Times, USA Today, XM Satellite Radio, The Chronicle of Higher Education, Essence Magazine, YouTube News, XM Radio, AOL Radio/TV, Black America Web, RocktheVote.com, Huffington Post.

You can read more about what Smith stands for and why she's running for office at PrincellaSmith.com.

---

Considering a projector rental or a plasma rental for your your next convention or event? Then Call a Tech Travel Agent today at 800-736-8772.

Sue Lowden Hopes to Unseat Harry Reid

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has been making news lately and not in a good way. His popularity is waning, along with many Democrats in the Senate, and his recent comments about President Barack Obama not having a "negro dialect" have people on both sides of the aisle calling for him to step down from his Senate leadership position. With this in mind, Republicans are stepping up to the plate, looking to run against Reid and take his senate seat, something no one has been able to do in 23 years. A recent Rasmussen poll shows that all of the Republican candidates are polling more favorably than Reid and that includes the GOP's Sue Lowden.

So what makes Lowden qualified to take over the coveted senate seat? According to her website, she is a "longtime Nevada resident, philanthropist and an award-winning news reporter, anchorwoman and businesswoman. She has also served as a Nevada State Senator and Chairman of the Nevada Republican Party." During her stint in the Nevada State Legislature, Lowden served as the Senate Majority Whip and Chairman of the Senate Taxation Committee. Fiscally conservative, she was committed to lowering taxes and responsible government spending. This led her to win a number of awards including the Guardian of Small Business Award from the Nevada chapter of the National Federation of Independent Businesses, the Senator of the Year Award from the Clark County Republican Party, the Woman of the Year Award by the Republican Women of Las Vegas, and the 2008 Lifetime Achievement Award by the Republican Women of Henderson.

Before getting into politics, Lowden had already built quite the list of accomplishments. She earned a Bachelors Degree from American University and a Masters Degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University. The New Jersey native also represented her state in the 1973 Miss American pageant, where she was the second runner-up. She is still involved with the pageant and currently serves on the Board of Directors and as an advocate for the organization.

Professionally, Lowden began as an elementary school teacher in New Jersey. Eventually, she would move to Nevada, going to work as an award-winning reporter and anchorwoman for KLAS-TV, a CBS affiliate in Southern Nevada. Lowden has also worked in the business world. She currently serves as a Member of the Board of Directors and Secretary-Tresurer of Archon Corporation and is the former president of Santa Fe Hotel Casion. She is also the former executive vice president of Sahara Hotel and Casino. As a businesswoman, she has earned a Women of Achievement Award by the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce.

Lowden has also served in a number of philanthropic capacities. She began working with the Muscular Dystrophy Association in 1978 when she hosted the local Las Vegas telethon and currently serves on the Board of Directors and as the National Treasurer. She is a founding member of Nevada Child Seekers and the former chief barker for Variety Club for Handicapped Children of Southern Nevada, as well as a founding member of the Southern Nevada Ice Hockey League. As a young woman, she traveled with the USO and the Bob Hope Christmas Troupe to entertain troops all over the world.

Sue Lowden is married to Nevada businessman Paul Lowden, and they currently live in Las Vegas, Nevada. She has four children, Christopher, Jennifer, Paul IV, and the late William, who passed away in 2004, as well as one granddaughter, Vanessa. You can read more about Lowden at her website, SueLowden.com, including her views on taxes (lower them), abortion (pro-life), the Second Amendment (uphold it), Israel (protect it), federal spending (stop it) and more.

---

Considering a projector rental or a plasma rental for your your next convention or event? Then Call a Tech Travel Agent today at 800-736-8772.

One of the First Female Senators, Paula Hawkins, Dies at 82

Paula Hawkins, the first female to be elected to the United States Senate in her own right, died on Friday. She was 82 years old. Hawkins was also the first and only female elected to the Senate from Florida and according to the Orlando Sentinel, she fought hard to get through the "good ol' boys" club."

She was working as a Republican committeewoman when she decided to run for the Public Service Commission in 1972. She campaigned as a populist and a consumer advocate, and won a second term in 1976. In 1974 she ran unsuccessfully for the United States Senate -the seat was won by Jack Eckerd- and in 1978, Eckerd ran unsuccessfully for governor, with Hawkins under him as Lieutenant Governor on the Republican ticket. In 1980, she beat out Democrat Bill Gunter with 52% of the vote, finally earning herself a spot in the United States Senate. She served only one term.

"Senator Paula Hawkins broke the glass ceiling for women like me to be able to pursue public service at the highest levels. She blazed a trail by winning statewide office at a time when being an elected Republican woman wasn't very common in the Sunshine State, needless to say in the United States Senate," Florida State Senator and gubernatorial candidate Paula Dockery told the Orlando Sentinel.

While Senator Hawkins didn't enjoy being called a feminist, she considered herself a champion of children's and women's rights. She backed legislation that would help homemakers get jobs upon becoming widowed or divorced and wanted to equalize pension benefits for women by considering the years they spent raising children. She fought for tax breaks on child care expenses and to get day care for children of Senate employees. She also fought hard against drugs and child abuse, disclosing that she had been molested as a child, while speaking at the Third National Conference on Sexual Victimization. This led to her penning a book in 1986, Children at Risk, My Fight Against Child Abuse: A Personal Story and a Public Plea.

She was pro-life and opposed abortion-on-demand, as well as the Equal Rights Amendment. She also refused to join the Congressional Woman's Caucus because she thought women's issues were "family issues" and concerned more than just women. She as quoted as saying, ""I did not like the Equal Rights Amendment. I predicted that it would bring about the downfall of the father's responsibility to support the family."

Hawkins also served as the Vice President of Air Florida from 1979-1980 and director of the Rural Telephone Bank Board from 1972-1978. In 1988, she was named the director of Philip Crosby Associates, a consulting company started by Winter Park businessman and author, Philip B. Crosby. In 1997, she joined the board of Nu Skin Enterprises. Nu Skin Enterprises is a direct selling company that sells cosmetics, nutritional supplements and technology services.

Hawkins was born on January 24, 1927 in Salt Lake City, Utah, and grew up in Utah and Georgia. She was married to Gene Hawkins and they had three children, Genean, Kevin, and Kelly Ann. She attended Utah State University and was a member of the Church of Latter Day Saints.

It is reported that Hawkins died in her home in Winter Park, Florida, after complications from a fall. She had also recently suffered a stroke. Florida Governor Charlie Crist ordered all flags lowered to half-staff and Dean Cannon, Florida House Speaker-designate, held a moment of silence on Friday.

Lyn Bliss Elected VP of Southwest Ohio FRW

The Ohio Federation of Republican Women held their annual fall conference recently and officers for 2010 and 2011 were elected. Darke County Republican Women's Club member, Lyn Bliss, was elected Vice President of the Southwest District which includes Republican Women’s Clubs in Butler, Champaign, Clark, Clermont, Clinton, Greene, Hamilton, Logan, Miami, Montgomery, Preble, Shelby, Warren and Darke counties.

Bliss has served in a number of roles at the Darke County Republican Women's Club, including corresponding secretary, recording secretary, card party committee member, nominating committee member, picnic committee member, publicity chairlady, membership book editor, and representative to the OFRW and representative to the National Federation of Republican Women. She is also a member of the Ohio Republican Party and Republican National Committee.

She has also served on a number of non-political boards. Bliss is a League of Women Voters Board of Directors member, Junior Vice President of VFW Auxiliary 7262, Board Member and Secretary of the Darke County Metropolitan Housing Authority and webmaster for the Darke County Republican Party as well as a member of the Eagle’s Auxiliary, Women of the Moose, Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, Greenville Area Women’s Connection, Core Committee for the Greenville Schools Levy, Darke County Historical Society (Garst Museum), Friends of the Greenville Library, Committee to Restore the Greenville Mausoleum, Citizens Against Carbon Sequestration, Senior Advocate Scholarship Fund, Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority Alumni, University of Iowa Alumni, University of Maryland Alumni, Wright Patterson Club and the Dayton Art Institute. She has served as a member on the following boards: Edison Community College Board of Trustees, the Darke County Republican Central and Executive Committees, Board of Directors for the Cancer Association of Darke County and was also the Political Education chair for the Ohio Federation of Republican Women.

Bliss is a former schoolteacher and a graduate of the University of Maryland and the University of Iowa. She and her husband, Al, make their home in Greenville.

Other officers elected include: President Jean Turner of Gibsonburg, Vice President Carol Salmon of Canfield, Treasurer Karen McTague of Oak Harbor, and Secretary Pet Rettig of Clyde. In addition to Bliss, the six district Vice Presidents are: Kathy Wise of Newark for Central District, Jewette Toney of Wintersville for East District, Donna Thatcher of Freemont for Northwest District, Edwina Wolcott of Warren for Northeast District, and Shawn Priest of Leesburg for South District.

Get Your Great American Conservative Women 2010 Calendar

Yes, you read right. The Clare Boothe Luce Policy Institute (CBLPI) has put together the "Great American Conservative Women" 2010 calendar and has already sold out the initial 25,000 copies of its first printing. This is the fifth such calendar released by the the CBLPI.

According to Alyssa Cordova, spokeswoman for the institute, the calendar is meant to celebrate conservative women and encourage young women to follow in their footsteps. Though she wouldn't name names, Cordova also mentioned that several journalists turned the institute down, fearing that they would lose credibility after appearing in anything labeled "conservative." She also mentioned a desire for former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin to make an appearance in 2011.

Of course, as with anything conservative, liberals are already making the calendar a target, "The left is petty. They go for the cheap and easy…whether that’s attacking Sarah Palin for spending money on a wardrobe, or calling Obama’s opposition racist, or attacking a calendar of conservative women," said Miss December and columnist S. E. Cupp. Even so, the Huffington Post has already put together a "help make a liberal women calendar" effort.

The calendar features conservative women including former Miss California Carrie Prejean, Ann Coulter, Michelle Malkin, former U.S. Treasurer Bay Buchanan, author and activist Star Parker, former chairman of the Virginia GOP Kate Obenshain, Regnery Publishing president Marji Ross, Eagle Forum founder Phyllis Schlafly, pollster Kellyanne Conway, Cupp and Congresswoman Michele Bachmann. It cost $25 or for students, it's free.

According to their website, the Clare Booth Luce Policy Institute is dedicated to the "power and potential of conservative women" such as "Clare Boothe Luce, Margaret Thatcher, and Sarah Palin." Founded in 1993, their mission is to prepare women for effective leadership and to promote leading conservative women. Their programs stress the importance of moral values, strength of character, academic integrity, strong work ethic as well as pro-American, pro-business, and pro-family ideas. Learn more about the institute or order your calendar at their website here: CBLPI Home

---

Considering a projector rental or a plasma rental for your your next convention or event? Then Call a Tech Travel Agent today at 800-736-8772.

Sue Lynch to Lead the NFRW

The National Federation of Republican Women (NFRW) has elected a new leader, but she's no stranger to politics or the GOP. Wisconsin's Sue Lynch currently serves as the First Vice President of the national grassroots political organization and just last month was unanimously elected to head the group. Lynch spoke with a La Crosse, Wisconsin news station (WXOW) about her new position, saying she would be moving to the Washington D.C. area. The move allow her to work closely with current Republicans in Congress and the Senate and enhance NFRW visibility. Her two year term will begin in January, 2010 - just in time to help the GOP take back Congress and the Senate.

In addition to her current positions as the group's First Vice President, Lynch also currently serves as Director of Region 1 (which includes Alaska, Hawaii, California, Oregon, and Washington), and as an adviser to both the NFRW Leadership Development Committee and the NFRW Special Events Committee. She has also served as second and third vice presidents and chairman of the Nominating Committee at the federal level. At the state level, she served as President of the Wisconsin FRW for four years and President of two local-area groups.

Lynch, a mother of two daughters, has been involved in Republican politics for over 30 years, having worked as chief of staff and office manager to three members of Congress and serving a number of gubernatorial and presidential campaigns. During the Reagan administration, she worked as the staff assistant to then Secretary of Agriculture John Block as well as holding other positions within the Department. For over twelve years, she taught campaign schools and did field work for campaigns for the Free Congress Foundation. She also lectured for the Krieble Institute.

In addition to her professional work, Lynch has been involved in a number of community activities. She served as president of the Franciscan Skemp Auxiliary-Mayo Health System, the state public policy chairman for the Partners of Wisconsin Hospital Association, she served the committee on Volunteer's Board Member for the American Hospital Association, and as a volunteer for the American Cancer Society. In 2007, she was named the Grassroots Volunteer of the Year for the Midwestern Division. She was also chosen as an outstanding volunteer for the West Salem Village People in 2007 for her work securing a building for a local Boys and Girls clubs. In 2006, she was chosen as one of the Most Influential Women of the Coulee Region. In 2001, she received the Caring for America Award for Community Service.

The NFRW is one of the largest and most influential women's political organizations in the United States. It recruits, trains, and elects candidates, advocates the GOP's philosophy and initiatives, and empowers women of all ages, ethnicity, and backgrounds in the political process. You can read more about the group here: History of the National Federation of Republican Women

Sarah Palin's "Going Rogue" Already Number One

Republicans, Conservatives and Sarah Palin fans flocked to online book sellers such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble this week to pre-order the former governor's book, Going Rogue: An American Life. As a matter of fact, the book, which will not be released until November 17, 2009, quickly became the number one selling book on both websites last week, beating out the late Senator Ted Kennedy, and books by several top authors including Dan Brown and Mitch Albom.

The book's release date was originally scheduled for sometime during the spring of 2010, but Palin, along with author Lynn Vincent, completed the book in just four months after signing a deal with with publisher HarperCollins. HarperCollins plans to release an initial 1.5 million copies of the 432-page book and book sellers are already competing for even more sales. The book, originally priced at $28.99 is being offered at $15.45, a 45% discount, at both Amazon and Barnes & Noble's websites and Wal-mart is offering the book for a mere $13.50.

According to Amazon, the book will be a, "personal and political chronicle of her life." HarperCollins would not release any clues about of the book's contents but claimed it is full of "fascinating details." The title of the book is said to refer to the 2008 Presidential election when Palin, the GOP Vice Presidential candidate, supposedly strayed from McCain's campaign message. Many McCain staffers accused Palin of "going rogue."

Palin's book is just the latest is best-selling Conservative reads: Michelle Malkin's Culture of Corruption spent weeks on top of the New York Times nonfiction list. Glenn Beck's Common Sense and Mark Levin's Liberty and Tyranny have also been big sellers over the last few months.

Pre-order your own copy of the book here: Going Rogue

WWE's Linda McMahon to Run for Senate

Following former Colorado Lt. Governor Jane Norton, Linda McMahon became the second Republican woman to announce that she would run for a United States Senate seat this week. The World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) CEO announced on Wednesday that she'd be entering the race to unseat current Connecticut Senator Chris Dodd. McMahon would run as a Republican in what's quickly becoming one of the biggest political races in the country.

In a statement, she said,

"Washington is out of control, and sadly, Senator Chris Dodd has lost his way and our trust. I can't sit by on the sidelines anymore knowing that I have both the experience and the strength to stand up to special interests and bring badly needed change to Washington."

McMahon's campaign financing will come mostly from the wealth she and her husband, Vince, have accumulated through their wrestling empire. Running as a fiscal conservative, she has pledged not to take cash from any political action committees or special interest groups and has put a $100 limit on any private donations made to her campaign. There are several other prominent people running for Dodd's seat including former Congressman Rob Simmons, former ambassador Tom Foley, state Senator Sam Caligiuri, and former Ron Paul advisor Peter Schiff.

McMahon has been involved with the Connecticut Republican Party for several years and appointed to Connecticut State Board of Education by Governor Jodi Rell earlier this year. She was nominated in the State Senate with an overwhelming 34-1 vote. She has given money to a number of political candidates - both Republicans and Democrats - including Joe Lieberman and Rahm Emanuel.

As for her duties as CEO of WWE, McMahon's husband will be taking over, effective immediately. The couple's two children, Shane and Stephanie McMahon are also involved in WWE operations and are expected to help with their mother's duties.

Linda Marie Edwards-McMahon was born October 4, 1948 in North Carolina. She graduated from East Carolina University with a degree in French. She is also a certified teacher. She and Vince McMahon met at church when they were just thirteen and sixteen and after dating throughout high school, they were married in 1966. The couple has resided in Connecticut for the last 30 years.

McMahon is committed to public service and supports a number of organizations including the USO, the Make-a-Wish Foundation, the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, the Starlight Foundation and Community Mayors. She also supports the Connecticut Grand Opera and its arts education program. She is also responsible for creating the Get R.E.A.L. initiative for education and literacy. She has served on the Governor's Council for the World Special Olympics and in 2004, she was elected to serve on the Board of Trustees of Sacred Heart University.

Congresswoman Sue Myrick of North Carolina

When you think of Republican Women, Susan Myrick may not be the first person who comes to mind. But the Congresswoman has been serving North Carolina's Ninth District proudly since 1995. Here is a look at the life of the first and only female Republican to serve Congress from North Carolina.

Sue Wilkins Myrick was born August 1, 1941 in Tiffin, Ohio. While living in Ohio, Myrick graduated from Port Clinton High School in and attended Heidelberg College for two years. She began her career by starting an advertising and public relations firm and later went on to serve on the Charlotte City Council in North Carolina. She would later become the first and only female mayor in Charlotte's history, serving two terms. During her time as mayor, Myrick focused on removing drug dealers from Charlotte neighborhoods, and managed to improve the city's transportation without raising taxes.

During her eight terms in Congress, Myrick has had many accomplishments. Perhaps, the one most near and dear to her own life is serving as the co-chair of the House Cancer Caucus and championing legislation for breast cancer that called for increased research, education, early detection, and development of promising new therapies. Myrick, herself, is a breast cancer survivor. Her own experience has prompted her to become a strong voice against socialized medicine and the health care system currently being pushed by the President and Democrats in Congress. On her website, she states, "I don’t believe in a government run health care system. Do you really want the same government that responded to Katrina, and who can’t seal off our borders, to run and control your healthcare?"

Two other issues Myrick feels strongly about are disaster relief and the war against terror. She is the founder of the Congressional Anti-Terrorism Caucus which works to educate the public about the dangers of Islamofascism and meets with experts on terrorism. Her experience dealing with North Carolina's floods, hurricanes, and torandoes in recent year has taught Myrick that federal government can't always be depended on to respond efficiently in times of emergency. For this reason, Myrick appreciates the importance of depending on private groups and as a leader, has worked extensively with them on-site during times of disaster.

Myrick currently serves on the oldest, broadest and most powerful committee in the House: the Energy and Commerce Committee. There, she is also a member of the Health subcommittee, and the Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection subcommittee. In 2009, she was elected to serve on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. From 2002 to 2004, Myrick served as chairman of the Republican Study Committee, an organization of House Republicans who work to advance a Conservative economic and social agenda. It was this role that allowed her to become a national voice for Conservatives. In 2003, she was appointed as Deputy Whip and continues to serve in that capacity, today.

When she's not busy taking care of her constituents in North Carolina, Sue Myrick is a wife and mother to two children and three step-children. She and her husband, Ed, also have twelve grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

History of the National Federation of Republican Women

The National Federation of Republican Women (NFRW) is one of the largest and most influential women's political organizations in the United States. A grassroots organization, the NFRW recruits, trains, and elects candidates, advocates the GOP's philosophy and initiatives, and empowers women of all ages, ethnicity, and backgrounds in the political process. But how and when did the NFRW begin?

Believe it or not, Republican women began forming clubs before women were even allowed to vote and were inspired by the 1872 Republican Platform which stated,

"The Republican Party is mindful of its obligation to the loyal women of America for their noble devotion to the cause of Freedom ..."

The oldest Republican women's club on record was founded in Salt Lake City, Utah in the late 1800's, leading the way for hundreds of such clubs to form throughout the new few decades. By the late 1930's, the state of Indiana, alone, had over 140 clubs created by and for Republican women. But in 1938, Marion Martin, the assistant chairman of the Republican National Committee, decided it was time to organize the groups and clubs into a large national organization. Martin called a meeting at the Palmer House in Chicago and in attendance were delegates from every state that had at least 60% of their counties associated with a Republican women's club. The group adopted rules, elected Joyce Arneill of Denver as the first President, and established the NFRW to

"...foster and encourage loyalty to the Republican Party and the ideals for which it stands - to promote education along political lines - to encourage closer cooperation between independent groups and the regular party organization, which are working for the same objectives, namely sound government - to promote an 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."

At the time of its founding, Maryland, Virginia, and Alabama had not yet granted women the right to vote. Franklin D. Roosevelt has been elected with only two states voting Republican. There were only six Republican governors 89 Congressmen, and 16 GOP Senators. Even so, the NFRW grew and gained momentum amongst women who were concerned with an ever growing government. By 1940, 34 states along with Washington D. C. were represented by NFRW.

The group took on the role as a lobbyist group in its earliest days, staying on top of important issues such as the Wagner Labor Relations Act, national debt, and foreign matters. Arneill urged all members of the club to contact their representatives about these matters and let them know that the women of the GOP were concerned about these issues.

Today, there are thousands of local NFRW clubs and members across the United States and even in some U.S. territories and their goals are all the same as the women who met to form the group over 70 years ago: to put Republicans in office, and to encourage women's involvement in politics, and to be sure the nation is aware of what is going on in our country. Members are ages 19-90 and include everyone from housewives to celebrities, first ladies to potential Presidential candidates, and they hold national conventions across the country, each year. Members not only help get the GOP in office, but they also benefit the communities with prorams such as the NFRW's Caring for American and literacy programs.

The current President of the NFRW is Shirley Sadler of Ohio and their newly renovated headquarters (pictured above) is located at 124 N. ALfred Street in Alexandria, VA.

---

Considering a projector rental or a plasma rental for your your next convention or event? Then Call a Tech Travel Agent today at 800-736-8772.

Women of the GOP "In the News" Weekly Round-up

Lot of great Conservative and Republican Women in the news this week! Here is your weekly round-up:

- Fox News' Primetime Shows have been filled with Conservative and Republican women, this week. Last night, Cindy McCain, wife of Senator John McCain sat down with Greta Van Susteren to discuss everything from her work in Camboida and Congo to her Twitter habits. Tonight, Women of the GOP favorite Liz Cheney, daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney, will be on "On the Record" to discuss the CIA vs. Nancy Pelosi and more on the CIA memo controversy. Meanwhile, "The View" co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck visited "Hannity" to discuss everything from President Obama to her new cookbook. Sean Hannity also interviewed Miss California Carrie Prejean about her big news-making week!

- Congresswoman Michele Bachmann has spoke out this week, calling on Congress to block ACORN's access to federal housing funds due to charges of voter registration fraud. Yesterday, Bachmann spoke outside the Capitol,

"ACORN, as you know, is no stranger to the spotlight. Yet no matter how many times prosecutors investigate and even indict ACORN and their employees, they emerge unblemished as far as the federal government is concerned from having access to federal tax dollars."

- Governor Sarah Palin has, once again, made news this week. Not only did she defend Miss California Carrie Prejean against "malicious attacks" but rumor has it, Palin has signed a book deal to publish her memoir sometime next spring. Palin tells the Associated Press,

"There’s been so much written about and spoken about in the mainstream media and in the anonymous blogosphere world, that this will be a wonderful, refreshing chance for me to get to tell my story, that a lot of people have asked about, unfiltered.”

- Finally, Georgia Secretary of State and Conservative Republican candidate for Governor, Karen Handel has a new message and a new website: Karen Handel for Governor - Bring it on! Handel gave a big speech today at the Georgia Republican Convention in Savannah, GA. In it, she presented a message of change, her personal story, and beating the odds in both life and politics!

Where are the Republican Women?

Why are Republican women the minority in Washington? That is the question Erika Lovley of POLITICO.com explored this week. Women make up 51% of the United States population, but in Congress, the numbers are far from representative. Of 435 men and women in Congress, only seventeen of them are Republican women, and just four of 99 Senators are female members of the GOP. And if 2008 is any indication, things aren't getting much better. Despite having Alaska Governor Sarah Palin on the ticket as the Vice Presidential candidate in November, there were 96 women on the ballot for the Democrats, only 37 Republicans. Political science professor, Laurel Elder told Politico,

"Republican women are more reluctant to throw their hat in the ring because they don't see a lot of women like themselves in leadership or on the news. This idea that the GOP is just going to treat everyone fairly hasn't worked. If the GOP wants more women, they're going to have to do more than just recruit women. They need to urge them to run"

Several Republican members of Congress agree with Elder's statement. Representative Pete Sessions (R-Texas) claims the Republican party is focusing on "finding highly qualified female candidates who can effectively convey the Republican message," but former Representative Thelma Drake (R-Virginia) claims the negative press coverage and harsh accusations from opponents is enough to turn women away from politics. When news broke that Governor Palin's seventeen year old daughter was pregnant, the Palin family was often subject to negative and downright hateful treatment from the media and many liberal groups. Drake tells Politico she is still angry at the effect television ads had on her own grandchildren,

"For Republican women to say, ‘This is something I want to subject my family to’ — it’s a big role.' It’s difficult to find people to run for office, and it will be more difficult in the future because of the tones in campaigns."

Republican National Committee Co-Chairwoman Jan Larimer claims the RNC is taking notice and making a push to recruit and train women to run for office in 2010.

"Part of our goal is to dramatically increase the number of Republican women running for office. Chairman Steele and I agree that we must redouble our efforts to build a strong grass-roots organization that encourages participation by every Republican in every state and territory."

With this issue on the table, it will be interesting to see just what happens in 2010and 2012 regarding female Republicans. Will the national presence of Governor Palin influence more women to run for office or will the treatment of her family and other various other issues send a message that has women shying away from politics in general?

Welcome - Women Of The GOP Blog

Welcome to our blog dedicated to the women of the GOP!

We hope that with your help we can spotlight some of the great new and existing female talent of the Grand Old Party.

As always should you have any suggestions for topics please e-mail us at web@xponex.com.

Thanks,
Andy Wendt