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Women's Republican Club of Lancaster County

Help drive change for good with us.

Lancaster PA
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Did You Know: 

The Republican Party pioneered the right of women to vote by introducing the 19th amendment in 1878. Republicans continued to support women's suffrage throughout the very long campaign for acceptance. Finally, when the Republican Party regained control of Congress in 1919, the Equal Suffrage Amendment passed. During all those years, the Democrats fought women's suffrage just like they fought the abolition of slavery. 

But even before the passage of the 19th amendment, women were attracted to the Republican Party because of its anti-slavery stance. That's why the Republican Party attracted reformers like Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Lucy Stone. All of these women identified themselves as Republicans.

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Mission

In 1922, 1000 Lancaster suffragettes gathered to form the first Women's Republican Club in PA. They wanted a Republican Club because the Republican Party had always support women's suffrage, as well as the abolition of slavery. A lot has changed since that first meeting, but what hasn’t changed is our mission: 

To support and strengthen the Republican Party, to advance women in political knowledge and activity, and to promote honest government and unselfish patriotism. Today, our mission is even more needed, and we’re so glad you’re joining us. We stand on the shoulders of our visionary predecessors to organize events, introduce candidates, educate the public, promote the Republican ideals of freedom and liberty, help with campaigns, and support Republican women running for office.

Mission
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History

History

In the summer of 1922, a group of women made plans to gather other civic-minded women such as themselves into one large Republican Club for Lancaster County. Having helped Republican candidates and worked hard to fight for their right to vote, these ladies were already politically active. The founders of our club were Mrs. Charles Stauffer, Mrs. Bernard J. Myers, Mrs. I.H. Herr and Mrs. Mary S. Long. They printed an invitation in the local newspaper urging women to attend the first meeting of the Women’s Republican Club of Lancaster County (WRC) on October 3, 1922.  1,000 women attended this meeting at the Brunswick Hotel in Downtown Lancaster and the Women’s Republican Club was born. Membership peaked in 1972 at 3,500 members.

 

For decades, members of the WRC have engaged in projects to introduce candidates to the electorate, preparing and supporting women to hold public office, and supporting Republican principles.

 

In February 1923, the Pennsylvania Council of Republican Women was organized in Harrisburg, PA with the goal of uniting all Women Republican Clubs throughout the state. In February 1926, the WRC of Lancaster County became a part of the Pennsylvania Council of Republican Women. The name was later changed to the Pennsylvania Federation of Republican Women.

DO YOU KNOW

The Republican Party consistently supported women’s suffrage throughout the 72-year campaign to win the vote. Republicans also advocated for the abolition of slavery, for equal rights and for the principle of equal pay for equal work. 

A BIT OF HISTORY

In September 1922, two years after the 19th amendment guaranteed American women the vote, Lancaster suffragettes met with Governor Pinchot, who had served as a vice-president of Men for Suffrage, to discuss forming a Republican Women’s Club. They wanted a Republican Women’s Club because the Republican Party had always supported the fight for women’s suffrage. On October 3, 1922, 1,000 former suffragettes formed the club.

TODAY­­

We stand on the shoulders of our visionary predecessors to organize events, introduce candidates, educate the public, promote the Republican ideals of freedom and liberty, help with campaigns, and support Republican women running for office.

Events
Contact

MEMBERSHIP

We welcome anyone to join our group and the conversation.  Men are encouraged to join. We stay true to our mission to support women in politics today.

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Leadership

Meet The Leadership Team

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Marrianne Clay Strittmatter

President

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Duffy Johnson

First Vice President

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Lisa Colon

Second Vice President

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Eva Olson

Treasurer

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Beverly Shank

Assistant Treasurer

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Anne Rivers

Recording Secretary

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Christina Hausner

Advisor

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Ann Hess

Advisor

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Lynda Bowman

Advisor

About WRC

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REPRESENTATIVE
MINDY FEE

"WRC is a wonderful place for women to learn about candidates, to build relationships with like-minded women, and most importantly, to find out how they can be more involved in creating good government for our families and communities.

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SENATOR
SCOTT MARTIN

"As we aim for our mutual goals of protecting freedom, limiting government, and unleashing our citizens potential, we need to keep growing our movement. Women play such a critical role in that, and a strong and vibrant WRC will foster that.

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REPRESENTATIVE
BRETT MILLER

"From the Suffragettes to today, the WRC is a great organization that has been- and will remain - a powerful force for good here in Lancaster.

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COMMISSIONER
JOSH PARSONS

"I appreciate all that WRC has done over the years to support Republican candidates and conservative causes. The work that WRC members do helps to keep Lancaster County such an incredible place to live, work, and raise a family.

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US REPRESENTATIVE
LLOYD SMUCKER

"It is an honor to serve and represent the Women's Republican Club of Lancaster County, an organization that was instrumental in the suffrage movement bringing equality and the right to vote to women across the county, commonwealth and country. I'm thankful for their actions and continued support of conservative women throughout Lancaster County.

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