The History of the Jefferson County Federated Republican Women

Through the inspiration of Antonia Boyd and Nancy Saggio, a message was sent to local Republican women, calling for the establishment of a new organization to be affiliated with the National Federation of Republican Women through the Ohio Federation of Republican Women.  On October 4, 2004, six women answered that call – Antonia Boyd, President, Nancy Saggio, Vice-president, Rose Anticole, Secretary/Treasurer, and Kimberly Hahn, Parliamentarian and Media Chair, with Mary M. Amos and Judy Hughes-Barnes also in attendance.
 
Preparations began immediately for introducing this organization to the public in time to have an impact on the November elections.  The new executive committee reviewed bylaws and mailed necessary materials for establishing the Jefferson County Federated Republican Women. 

On October 19, 2004, thirteen new members became active.  We endorsed candidates, responded with pro-life messages when Democratic leaders campaigned in Steubenville, and offered support for President George Bush’s re-election.  The JCFRW presented a silver engraved tray to Senator Santorum for all his pro-life and pro-family efforts.

Post-election 2004, the JCFRW made plans to attend the March for Life in Washington, DC, in January 2005.  President Antonia Boyd requested an emblem for our chapter.  Lori Bortz volunteered, including in her design the American flag, an American Eagle with claws open to represent an alertness to defend our values, a rose to represent our commitment to the unborn, and our chapter name.  Jeanie Israel was elected Treasurer so that Rose Anticole could focus on being the Secretary.

The new year, 2005, saw several changes in leadership – Kimberly Hahn became the new Vice President, Jennifer Buchmelter the new Treasurer, and Anna Santacroce the new Secretary.  President Antonia Boyd continued to offer leadership throughout the various changes of positions as the group adjusted to a post-election lull until she moved out of state in late summer.

In December 2005, Kimberly Hahn became President, according to the bylaws.  Other positions were filled in the next two months:  Jewette Toney, Vice President, Susan Conaway, Treasurer, and Irene Marx, Secretary.  New members joined at meetings that included candidate forums and planning sessions for future events.  Kathy Donahue became Chair of Membership and Hospitality and Susan Conaway became Chair of Fundraising. 

Items were collected to mail to servicemen from our area.  The Conservative Compassion Committee completed its work having developed a brochure on some of the works of charity in which current members of JCFRW are involved. 

Through the generosity of Jefferson Community College, the JCFRW have been able to have monthly meetings in both 2005 and 2006.  In addition, a JCC student, Bethany Drake, is developing a website for JCFRW as a community initiative to be unveiled the first week of May.  Plans are under way for a booth at the Jefferson County Fair, involvement in campaigns (local and state-wide) through phone banks and door-to-door literature drops. 

The Jefferson County Federated Republican Women is a local organization of Republican women who seek to increase the effectiveness of women in the cause of good government.  We seek to inform the public through political education, grassroots participation, and community service.  We foster loyalty to the Republican Party, its platform, and its candidates.  We recruit and support qualified Republican women for political office.  We strive in every endeavor to promote traditional family values and the sanctity of life throughout the entire spectrum, from conception until natural death.  We are women of family, faith and country, and in God we will forever trust.

Designed by Bethany Drake