PRESIDENT'S BIOGRAPHY

Elected president of the Alaska FRW in April 2005 and re-elected in 2007, Paulette Simpson is AFRW's first state president from southeast Alaska.

Born and raised in Southern California, Paulette graduated from UCLA and then taught language arts and history for four years at a Catholic school in Los Angeles. After she and her husband, Budd, took an extended camping trip to Alaska in the summer of 1976, they returned to Juneau and by January 1977 were permanent Alaska residents.

When her three children were young, Paulette worked part-time and volunteered in the community. For the past 13 years, she has worked with the Juneau chapter of the Alaska Visitors Association, promoting tourism and developing and implementing educational programs for cruise lines and visitor industry businesses in Juneau.

In 1996, after 10 years spent volunteering on local and state legislative campaigns, Paulette was elected chair of Juneau's Capital City Republicans. She also helped re-establish Capital City RW in 1996 and served as president from 2000-2004.

A lifelong Republican, Paulette has attended the last two national Republican conventions.

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

FEDERATION HISTORY

Mat-Su Republican Women's Club was organized in the 1940s and became affiliated with the NFRW before the state Federation was established in 1962. Today, the Alaska Federation has eight clubs. All of the members vigorously participate in fundraising and campaign activities, often in unique and novel ways - from telemarketing and crusades on local issues to the more traditional polling, campaigning door-to-door, phone banks and Lincoln Day events. 

Past presidents include:
Janet M. Halvarson, 2001-2005
Pauline R. Martens, 1995-2000
Alyce Hanley, 1992-94
Hope Nelson, 1989-91
Hope Nelson and Jo Fenety, 1986-88
Jennie Wasey, 1983-85
Mary Pike, 1980-82
Pauline Martins, 1977-79
Renee Blahuta, 1974-76
Elva Christianson, 1969-70
Edith Holm, 1969-70
Barbara Dimock, 1962-68 (founding)

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

LOCAL CLUBS

Anchorage RWC Capital City RWC Fairbanks RWC

First City RWC Kenai Peninsula RW MatSu RWC

Midnight Sun RWC Sitka RW