|
AFRW E-News
April 2008
President's Message
Thanks to all of our AFRW members from around the state for participating in the 2008 Alaska Republican Party state convention. One of the highlights of the Convention was the AFRW-sponsored campaign school at which 55 Republican candidates, potential candidates and campaign volunteers were trained for our upcoming election season. Thanks to Holly Robichaud for traveling from Boston to anchor our training sessions and to Becky Hultberg, Marc Hellenthal, Chris Ellingson and Matt Moon for assisting with the presentations.
The AFRW also had a booth at Convention where we sold raffle tickets for our patriotic quilt (won by Kenai Peninsula Republican Women president Carol Brenckle!) and also sold our terrific AFRW unisex reversible fleece vests.
Speaking of the vests, we have several more to sell so if you have not purchased one already, contact your club president and do your part. They also make wonderful gifts! So far, Juneau?s Capital City Republican Women have purchased 35 and have another 10 they are selling over the next month. All proceeds benefit our Alaska Republican candidates, particularly our Republican women candidates running for the State legislature.
Who are these wonderful women? In Fairbanks, Cynthia Henry is vying for the Senate "E" seat being vacated by the retiring Sen. Gary Wilken and Sue Hull is challenging the Democrat representative in District 9. In Anchorage, Charisse Millett is running for the District 30 seat being vacated by Rep. Kevin Meyer who is running for the Senate District "O" seat. In District 4, we have two Republican women (Stephanie Madsen and Cathy Munoz) running in the Primary for the privilege of challenging the Democrat representative in Juneau's Mendenhall Valley seat.
Of course, we also have incumbent Republican women legislators who may also need our financial assistance, so we promise not to forget them either. Already, 2008 is shaping up as one of the most interesting election years of our lifetime. We will do all we can to keep you informed and inspired to do your part to help elect as many Republicans as possible.
Paulette Simpson
Judicial district Report
Many thanks to FRW member, Linda Manns for attending the State Convention as a guest. Linda did an outstanding job organizing and working the AFRW booth morning to night, selling raffle tickets, red vests to men & women alike, and was especially helpful providing information.
As an NFRW Regent, I recently had the memorable honor of attending the Regents Tea with our fabulous First Lady at the White House. Republican Women nation wide are phenomenal.
Chris Duke, AFRW Judicial District 4 Vice President
Around Alaska
Anchorage Republican Women – Margaret Brown, President
The Anchorage Republic Women's Club had a full house of 65 for the lunch meeting on March 6. The program was centered around 6 Assembly and 2 school board candidates. A week later 18 ARWC members joined 395 delegates from 38 districts around the state to attend the Republican State Convention in Anchorage. Our Fundraising and Special Events Committees worked together to successfully host the silent auction for the Lincoln Day Dinner, raising $7100 to fund Republican candidates. Congratulations to member Cathy Giessel for organizing a tremendous State Convention and for her election to Vice Chair of ARP. ARWC will have 5 of its members attending the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis, MN September 1-4. Two members were elected as delegates to the convention and 3 members will attend as alternates. Congratulations to Robin Phillips who was selected as the ARWC Woman of the Year.
Capital City Republican Women – Connie McKenzie, President
Capital City Republican Women were pleased to have two women speakers, Governor Sarah Palin and "The Lone Republican" Holly Robichaud, in Juneau on March 12 as our guest luncheon speakers. Each year we try to do something to recognize Women's History Month and it was great to have our Governor, a woman making history herself, speak on this topic. And for a lot of humor, Holly provided an insider view of what it is like to battle with Democrats in the war of words describing her daily blog in the Boston Herald. For April we have scheduled Cathie Roemmich, CEO of the Juneau Chamber of Commerce to talk about the projects the chamber is supporting in Juneau and the state. We also hope to have Rep. Gabrielle LeDoux join us if her schedule allows, to give us some information on herself and her candidacy for U.S. House of Representatives.
Fairbanks Republican Women - Pat Fink, President
Fairbanks Republican Women are getting ready for the Women's Affairs at the Carlson Center, April 4-6. We hope to have pictures of our State Senate candidate, Cynthia Henry and our District 9 candidate, Sue Hull. Voter registration will be encouraged and a drawing of a nicely filled basket of goodies will be given away. Our next meeting for FRW is April 12 where delegates and alternate delegates will be sharing one minute talks on what they received at the State Convention.
Kenai Peninsula Republican Women - Carol Brenckle, President
Senator Ted Stevens was KPRW's special guest of honor at our Lincoln Day Dinner that was held on February 15th . Senator Stevens also received recognition as KPRW's Republican of the Year. When it came to introducing the Senator I probably gave the shortest introduction on record - after all Senator Stevens and his accomplishments really need no introduction. Charlotte's did the catering - and donated a black bottom coconut pie (Senator Stevens' favorite). It was auctioned off with the winning table having dessert with the Senator.
We also celebrated Susan B. Anthony's birthday at the Lincoln Day Dinner. Member Carolyn Gabbard purchased Susan B. Anthony dollars for each LDD attendee - a lasting memento of the importance of women and the significance of their right to vote, We put together a Susan B. Anthony basket for the silent auction - yet another reminder of how much we, as Republican women, owe to her efforts.
Five of our members attended the State Convention in Anchorage. You will never guess who won AFRW's quilt? Senator Lisa Murkowski pulled Paulette Simpson's name first. After Paulette told the Senator to draw again, my name was called. Thank you Paulette! I decided to keep the quilt not only because it was a work of art but also because I realized that we could probably use it to make more money for the Republican Women. This year we will probably need every penny we raise and more to support our Republican candidates in what promises to be a very contested election.
Mat-Su Republican Women - Glenda Ledford, President
The Mat-Su Republican Women's Club held their annual Lincoln Day Dinner and Auction February 22nd at Evangelo?s in Wasilla. Congressman Don Young was the guest speaker. He and his wife Lou were celebrating their wedding anniversary that evening and were presented with a beautiful cake and floral bouquet. Congressman Young presented the flowers for auction since they were catching a plane. The winning bidder will dry and frame the bouquet and Congressman Young will sign and date the finished product.
Our next event will be the "Spring Fling Sock Hop" to be held May 2, 2008 at the Palmer Depot. Everyone is invited to join us for the fun. There will be a costume, twist, limbo, and many other contest to participate in. We will also kick off the raffle for a gun safe and other items.
Midnight Sun Republican Women - Holly Kelty, President
MSRWC's March meeting, held Tuesday the 25th, involved a lively debrief of the Alaska Republican Party State Convention activities. Of special note, we are proud to say that Angelina Burney (a long-time associate and recent convert to full membership status) is attending the National Convention as an Alternate, Hope Nelson is serving as an Elector and Robin Phillips (another long-time associate) was most-deservedly recognized as Republican Person of the Year. The first edition of our cookbook is ready. Anyone interested in BETA testing can contact us at 229-7420 or via email to receive a discounted copy in return for your assistance. Final versions will be ready for fundraising activities commencing this summer. Our next meeting is scheduled for April 29th, Noon, Chilkoot Charlie's Swing Bar.
Key Web Sites
Alaska Federation of Republican Women
http://www.akfrw.com
National Federation of Republican Women
http://www.nfrw.org/a>
Alaska Republican Party
http://www.alaskarepublicans.com/a>
Statewide Contacts
Alaska Federation of Republican Women
Paulette Simpson, President
(907) 770-6797 or (907) 364-3179
Email: paulettem@gci.net
Anchorage Republican Women
Margaret Brown, President
Email: margbrown@alaska.com
Capital City Republican Women (Juneau)
Connie McKenzie, President
(907) 790-3321
Email: connie-mitch@gci.net
Fairbanks Republican Women
Patricia Fink, President
(907) 457-4614
Email: sigfink@juno.com
First City Republican Women (Ketchikan)
Laura Antonsen, President
(907) 225-5547
Email: panhandler@att.net
Email: panhandler@att.net
Kenai Peninsula Republican Women
Carol Brenckle, President
(907) 398-8228
Email: carol.brenckle@alaska.net
Mat-Su Republican Women
Glenda Ledford, President
Email: gledford@mtaonline.net
Midnight Sun Republican Women
Holly Kelty, President
Email: holly@larsen-anc.com
Sitka Republican Women
Karoline Bekeris, President
(907) 747-5804
Email: kbekeris@hotmail.com
Paid for by Alaska Federation of Republican Women, 2504 Fairbanks St., Anchorage, AK 99503
|
|
|
