FEDERATION PROFILE

Illinois Federation of Republican Women is the largest all-volunteer Republican women's organization in Illinois. We are a grassroots organization organized into seven regions and 65 clubs. We are united by the Republican philosophy and are dedicated to electing Republican candidates to local, state and national office. Additionally, IFRW provides leadership training, assistance in running for office, opportunities to meet political leaders and elected officials, networking opportunities, information about local, state and national issues and involvement in campaigns and elections. 

The Illinois Federation affiliated with the NFRW in 1940. According to state history, "In 1891, the women in Illinois had been granted the right to vote in school elections, and to these women that meant political action. In 1896, a group of Illinois feminists felt that the time had come for action and advertised in the newspapers for a mass meeting of women to be held in Springfield just before the regular state convention." The call stated it was for the purpose of "perfecting a women's Republican club" and selecting a woman candidate for university trustee. 

In the following years, independent clubs were formed. In September 1940, Republican women from all over the state met and elected Marie Suthers the first state president. She served until 1943, the year she was elected president of the NFRW. Two other former state presidents have also served as NFRW president: Patricia Hutar (1976-77) and Mary Jo Arndt (1998-99). 

Past presidents include:
Lois Frels
Kay Hatcher
Shirley Fazio
Maralee I. Lindley
Regina Benson
Frances Killey
Josephine Oblinger
Chloanne Greathouse, 1998-99
Charlotte Mushow, 1994-97
Jan Landis, 1992-93
Virginia Macdonald, 1973
Hazel Watson, 1969
Ginny Kenney, 1964
Phyllis Schlafly, 1960
Maryan Boardman, 1959

Publisher's Note: Text published as provided by Illinois FRW.

LOCAL CLUBS

Addison County RW African American RWC of    Rock Island Aurora RWC Bloomingdale Township RW Bureau County RW Carroll County RW Champaign County RW Chicago RW Network Christian County RWC Coles County RW Crawford County RW DeKalb County RWC Dewitt County RWC Douglas County RW Edwardsville RWC Fulton County RW GBS RWC (Geneva, Batavia,    St. Charles) Glen Ellyn RWC

GROW: A Republican    Organization for Women Grundy County RW Hancock County RW Illinois R Comm W's    Roundtable Iroquois County RWC Jackson County RW Jefferson County RW Johnson County RW Kane County RW Kendall County RW La Salle County RWC Macon County RW McDonough County RW McLean County RW Naperville RWC Northern Illinois RW Northern Kane County RW

Ogle County WRC Peoria County RW Republican Swans RW Network RW of Henry County RW of Rock Island RW of Union County Salem WRC South DuPage Women's    Republican Organization St. Clair County RW United Southland RW Upper Northwest Illinois RW Vermilion County RW Wheaton WRC Whiteside County RWC Williamson County RWC York Township RW