A Short History

The first Republican Women's Club in Michigan was formed in Detroit in the Spring of 1919. On June 10, 1919, the Michigan Legislature voted to ratify the 18th amendment giving women the right to vote. The Republican Women's Federation of Michigan was organized in 1925, 13 years before the National Federation of Republican Women, which was founded in 1938 at the Palmer House in Chicago.

Our local chapter is affiliated with both the State and National Federations. Nationally, we are over 100,000 members strong with chapters in all 50 states plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. We have a beautiful and historic headquarters building in Alexandria VA. There are 28 clubs in Michigan at present with nearly 1,200 members.

Why have a Republican Women's Club in addition to the county Republican Party?

Many members belong to both — women's groups are more "hands on" and work at the grass roots level. We are involved with programs specific to women such as child care, career development, reading and literacy.

Republican Women's Clubs Members Activities

We sponsor monthly meetings and organize political debates open to the public at which prominent Republican speakers and issues are featured. We have sponsored a tri-county dinner that celebrated women's right to vote and honored all female elected officials. It was our honor to host an evening with National Federation of Republican Women President Heidi Smith.

And we are involved in the community! CCRWA has chosen to assist military veterans by hosting Christmas parties on the Psychiatric Ward at the VA Hospital, and at a local home for vets. Easter baskets for terminally ill veterans were delivered to the Palliative Care unit at the VA. Along with members of the Calhoun County Republican Party, we assist candidates with literature drops, phone banks, and door-to-door campaigning, march in parades, work the fair booth, and help pour coffee at the annual Cereal Festival. In 2006 CCRWA adopted Inasmuch House, a temporary housing facility for displaced women and children. CCRWA provides Christmas baskets, gifts and a basket of housekeeping supplies to take to their new home when leave Inasmuch House.