CONVENTION HIGHLIGHTS
 

  PRESIDENTIAL STRAW POLL – A majority of delegates to the 34^th Biennial Convention threw their support behind former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani in the organization’s Republican presidential straw poll. Giuliani received 50.21% of the 765 votes cast. Other top vote-getters were former U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson, 20.94%; former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, 14.42%; and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, 6.66%. Those four candidates accounted for more than 90% of the vote. The straw poll also featured U.S. Sens. Sam Brownback (.28%) and John McCain (1.8%) and Congressmen Duncan Hunter (4.02%), Ron Paul (.42%) and Tom Tancredo (1.25%). (Note: the NFRW does not make endorsements during the Republican primaries, but supports all Republican nominees during the general elections.) 

  HONORING PRESIDENT REAGAN – The NFRW honored the memory and legacy of President Ronald Reagan during a ceremony at the Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, Calif., on Thursday, Sept. 27. More than 100 participated in the ceremony, which was led by NFRW Board member Mary Jane Aurdal of Washington and featured a wreath presentation at President Reagan’s tomb.

  ADDRESSES BY REPUBLICAN LEADERS, NATIONAL SECURITY EXPERTS, AUTHORS, POLITICAL EXPERTS AND OTHER NOTABLE GUESTS – Including Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani; Congresswoman Mary Bono (R-CA); best-selling authors Gregg Jackson and Cheryl Shaw Barnes; author and former White House Director of Speechwriting Chriss Winston; and, internationally-known motivational speaker Connie Podesta. (Note: the NFRW invited several Republican presidential candidates to address the convention, including Brownback, McCain, Romney and Thompson.)

  MY FAVORITE TEACHER AWARD – The My Favorite Teacher Award recognizes excellence in education by honoring one of America’s outstanding teachers. This year, the NFRW presented the fourth biennial award to middle school science instructor Diana Blake Barnhart of San Luis Obispo, Calif., during the luncheon Saturday, Sept. 29. Barnhart and three of the national finalists were introduced by Ronald A. Carcich of Fullerton, Calif., recipient of the 2005 award.

  ELECTION OF NFRW OFFICERS – Convention delegates made pivotal decisions as they selected the women who will lead the Federation in 2008 and 2009. Shirley Sadler of Ohio was unanimously elected President Saturday, Sept. 29. Also elected were:

1st Vice President - Sue Lynch, Wisconsin
2nd Vice President - Jane Lane, New Hampshire
3rd Vice President - Sharon Sollenbarger, Colorado
4th Vice President - Rae Lynne Chornenky, Arizona
Secretary - Jeannine Long, Oklahoma
Treasurer - Tricia Greene, Arkansas

Following the convention, the Board of Directors elected the following as Members-at-Large to the Executive Committee:

Lisa Roper, Texas   |   Joyce Smith, Indiana   |   LaDonna Ryggs, South Carolina

  OTHER BUSINESS - Delegates also passed several amendments to the Bylaws, including a change in annual membership dues, and passed resolutions in support of the Public Expressions of Religion Act and educating the public about the ramifications of illegal immigration.

  SUPPORTING OUR TROOPS – The General Session on Sunday, Sept. 30, was dedicated to our men and women serving in the U.S. military and featured patriotic musical performances, as well as speeches by Jim Horn, Middle East expert, and Maj. Eric I. Egland, counter-terrorism expert and author of “The Troops Need You, America.”

  FOLLOWING THE STARS – Hosted by the California Convention Committee, the Opening Night Gala on Friday, Sept. 28, gave convention-goers a red-carpet, Old Hollywood-style welcome to Palm Springs and included a couture fall fashion show by Beverly Hills designer David Hayes, performances by “Hollywood Revisited – A Tribute in Costume, Song and Dance” and the Palm Springs Follies, and appearances by stars from Hollywood’s Golden Age, including actress Rhonda Fleming.

  LEADERSHIP, POLITICAL AND POLICY TRAINING – Attendees trained for leadership roles in government, politics, business and community by attending the two-day campaign school, leadership seminars, and political and policy workshops taught by nationally-recognized experts.

  AWARDS OF DISTINCTION – Sunday, Sept. 30, the NFRW presented awards recognizing accomplishments in the areas of membership and program development, campaign activities, community service and public relations at the state and local level, including more than 500 Club Achievement Awards and 300 Caring for America Awards. In addition, the NFRW recognized the outstanding leadership of Martha Jenkins, president of the North Carolina Federation, with the second biennial Ronald Reagan Leadership Award.

  OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG WOMEN – The NFRW gave more than 50 young women, ages 14-17, from across the nation the educational opportunity to represent their home state during the opening flag ceremony and to serve as a page during the convention.