January 07, 2006
Members of the Republican Women Leaders of Calvert were in Annapolis on Saturday, January 7th to participate in a training workshop on growing their organization into an effective political force in preparation for the 2006 election. Pictured above (l. to r.):Catherine Grasso, Delores Brown, President of the Maryland Federation of Republican Women, Patt Parker, President of the Republican Women Leaders of Calvert, Judy MacWilliams, President of the National Federation of Republican Women, Beverly Davis,Ella Ennis, Mary Igoe, Laura Jessup, former Calvert County Commissioner Joyce Lyons Terhes, and Ann Baker Jenkins
November 30, 2005
A VISIT FROM PRESIDENT BUSH!
Nine members of the Republican Women Leaders of Calvert (RWLC) participated in Lt. Gov. Michael Steele's fundraising event where the guest of honor was President George W. Bush. Held at Ravens Stadium in Baltimore, over 800 guests watched the arrival by helicopter of the President. From high above the stadium, Republicans gathered at the windows to catch a glimpse of the President departing the chopper and making his way into the stadium. Lt. Governor Michael Steele and the President of the United States walked in together to the reception area to the sound of cheering crowd.
Introducing the President, Steele warmly embraced the Head of the free world and welcomed him to the great State of Maryland. President Bush, arriving from a major visit/speech in nearby Annapolis, offered encouraging words asking for everyone's support for Steele in his race for U.S. Senator. Part of Steele's campaign focuses on building a bridge that brings people together, crossing the lines that for too long have divided people by party, class, and race. President Bush remarked that "As Maryland builds the bridge, you might as well make it a Steele bridge." The cheering audience enthusiastically agreed with the President.
President Bush spoke on the Lieutenant Governor's life story and remarked that Steele's mother had been a laundress for some 45 years rearing her family in a home with rich values and character. The President said, "That's the kind of fella you want in the United States Senate representing you, somebody raised that kind of way."
The President also spoke on recent victories in Iraq and how important it will be to have someone the caliber of Steele join the Senate. "Michael Steele understands the duty of protecting the American people." He also remarked that having someone like Steele who understands the economic side as well will be very valuable. The President spoke for over 15 minutes and after his departure guests enjoyed a luncheon and talking with Lt. Governor Steele and his family.
RWLC members President Judy MacWilliams remarked what a wonderful opportunity it was for the residents in MD to see and hear the President "up close and personal." "It is very important to us to be there to support Lt. Governor Steele in his quest for the Senate seat. He is a wonderful leader and will be a great Senator," said MacWilliams. Other RWLC members from the County were Della Stull, Marilyn Quinn, Catherine Grasso, Ella Ennis, Laura Jessup, June Lusby, Faye Bruso and Linda Woods.
Photos: Lt. Gov. Steele and President Bush; President Bush; RWLC Members with Lt. Gov. Steele
Laura Jessup, Linda Woods, Marilyn Quinn, Judy MacWilliams, Michael Steele, Faye Bruso, Ella Ennis, June Lusby, Catherine Grasso
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New photos from the National Federation of Republican Women (NFRW) Convention – Nashville, TN September 9 to 11, 2005.
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Enthusiastic and daring RWLC members ventured out of Calvert County on May 9 to attend the annual Maryland Federation of Republican Women First Ladies Luncheon honoring Mrs. Kendel Ehrlich in Bethesda. MFRW President Betty Jane Carroll welcomed over 300 guests, and after a delightful lunch, National Committeewoman Joyce Terhes introduced the guest speakers.
Elected in 2002, Tennessee’s Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn served as an assistant whip on the majority whip team and was selected by the House leadership for a coveted seat on the exclusive House Energy and Commerce Committee. Noted for its broad jurisdiction, this Committee will play a key role in the legislative agenda this year. Representative Blackburn thanked the MFRW ladies for continuing the work lay down by many others and championed the many ways that women have led and continue to lead in America and around the world. She said that women across the globe are seeing and believing in freedom.
Representative Blackburn spoke on the President’s great agenda, as well as the Governor Ehrlich’s. She is excited about what the Republican leadership is doing and spoke on how much bipartisan support many of the President’s bills received. She said that the American people agree with our Party’s solutions. Recalling her many visits to foreign lands, Blackburn met many of our women serving their country as well as grateful Iraqi women. Congresswoman Blackburn encouraged the large audience to be “Steel Magnolias” in 2006 and return our Republican leadership to office.
The Honorable Jo Ann Davidson, Co-Chair of the RNC and former member of the Ohio House of Representatives for 20 years, spoke on the historic grassroots win in 2004 in her home state. As Bush-Cheney ’04 Ohio Valley Regional Campaign Chair, Davidson helped direct the effort that enabled President Bush to win Ohio by a decisive margin. She gave insight into Ohio’s 72-hour campaign to get out the vote. Comparing the win in Ohio to the work done by local clubs, Davidson said they gave their volunteers ownership, empowering and engaging them in the election.
She encouraged the RWLC membership who aspires to public office to begin their own grassroots organization and form a support group to make calls, visit homes, hold coffees, etc. She gave valuable and substantial advice to the group and provided examples recalling the great win in Ohio.
The First Lady of Maryland, Mrs. Kendel Ehrlich, thanked all the Republicans in the State and echoed Ms. Davidson’s remarks on continuing to build and grow the grassroots organization within the State. Noting that she, too, had become newsworthy (as a local TV station appeared to video her remarks and later interview her) of late with her outspoken remarks. She outlined many of the Governor’s achievements in the recent Legislative Session from the huge tax surplus to the funding of education for our public schools to higher education. Mrs. Ehrlich stressed the need for Republicans to talk about the achievements of the 2005 session and not to rely totally on what we read in the media.
Attributing the role her husband played in encouraging tourists to the State, Mrs. Ehrlich was pleased with how well the Governor is doing helping with the tourism industry. Expressing her concern with the attitude of the political climate in Annapolis, Mrs. Ehrlich encouraged the MFRW to continue their support of the Governor and to work to send him back with more Republican members of the General Assembly in Annapolis.
The RWLC members returned to Calvert County filled with new ideas and ready to take on the challenges presented to them. Many thanks to our intrepid drivers who maneuvered the Beltway to and fro with ease and grace. From all of your passengers, we thank you!
Book Review I Love You, Ronnie by Nancy Reagan (Random House, New York, 2000, 2002)
Do yourself a favor for Valentine’s Day – read Nancy Reagan’s I Love You, Ronnie, the letters of Ronald Reagan to Nancy Reagan. Talk about a love story! Former First Lady Nancy Reagan shares with us the intimate letters that President Ronald Reagan wrote to her during their courtship and marriage of over 50 years.
Fortunately for the world, Mrs. Reagan saved and cherished every note, card, and letter.
Mrs. Reagan tells their story through these letters. The man is totally smitten by this woman who is the great love of his life. He is so in love; his words are simple phrases, but the genuine feeling that he has for this woman is so evident and apparent in these love notes.
They met in 1950, both aspiring actors, and as marriage, children, and careers took off, their deepening love never diminished. For Ronnie, his love for Nancy, never wavered; she was always number one. He would send her love notes when he was on location, from hotel rooms, on trains and airplanes, and if he passed a Western Union, he’d stop and send a telegram with these words, “I love you.”
They married on March 4, 1952 and for the next 50 years, he never forgot a wedding anniversary. “I just want to start each day by opening my eyes and seeing you and each day seeing you before I close them. In between times, I’ll just look in my heart. You are always there.” He cherished and adored her. He writes often that his life started when they met. He has pet names for her that change as their lives change, but his adoration and love never change and grow deeper and deeper with the years.
Nancy Reagan shares her journey as a young wife and mother, desiring to please her husband. She wants what he wants; she will do whatever it takes to protect him as well. In the early 60s, the Reagans realize that he is heading towards the political arena. She struggles and grows into the political partner of the great communicator and finds her own legs on which to stand in time. When asked to campaign for Barry Goldwater, Reagan gives the speech by which he is later defined.
Speaking at a fundraiser, he said, “You and I have a rendezvous with destiny,” thus making his mark on his future and raising more money for a candidate than ever. On the campaign trail, his thoughts of Nancy are never far away as he wrote, “Do you know that when you sleep you curl your fists up under your chin and many mornings when it is barely dawn I lie facing you and looking at you until finally I have to touch you ever so lightly so won’t wake up–but touch you I must or I’ll burst?”
When they arrived in the White House, the only thing that changed in his love for Nancy was the stationery. As President, he continued sending her notes and letters now penned as the “Pres” writing to her as the First Lady, First Mommie, Glamour Puss. His feelings for Nancy are so beautiful, his words so poignant, sometimes reading their letters is almost an intrusion into their private lives.
I hope you read I Love You, Ronnie and find yourself tearing up as I did, as you glimpse into the lives of two extraordinary people who changed the world. Then I hope you go and write a letter to the one you love.
Judy
Did you know?
NFRW Fall Board Meeting September 8-9, 2006 Hilton Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN
The National Federation of Republican Women (NFRW) chartered 64 new clubs in 2004.
State Federations are increasing membership.
