PRESIDENT'S BIOGRAPHY

Leona Johnston became a member of the Arizona Federation of Republican Women in 1997 when she and her husband retired to Fountain Hills. She soon was elected as a club president and went on to serve in many positions, including 2nd vice president, 1st vice president and then president.

Her involvement with the NFRW began with the San Antonio convention in 2001. She has been a delegate to every convention since. She was a Regent from 2004 to 2006 and resumed her membership in 2010. She served on the NFRW Board of Directors as a member of the Outreach Committee for eight years. As chairman of the Outreach Committee, she worked with African American, Jewish and Latino Republican groups. She also served as an alternate on the NFRW Nominating Committee in 2011.

Leona is involved with a number of Republican organizations at the local, state, and national levels. She is on the Advisory Board for the Dodie Londen Leadership Series, a mentoring program for women interested in GOP politics. She also served as secretary of the Navajo Code Talkers Memorial Foundation.

Leona is a retired teacher, a retired business owner, and a former tour director. She is not retiring from Republican politics. When she steps down as president at the end of 2011, she plans to remain active at all levels of the Federation and to work on behalf of her favorite GOP presidential candidate in the upcoming primary season.

Leona spent her first 27 years in her hometown, Beaver Falls, Penn., and the next 30 years in South Bend, Ind. She is spending her “golden years” in the beautiful State of Arizona.

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

FEDERATION PROFILE

Arizona FRW was founded in 1924 and affiliated with the NFRW in 1940. AzFRW has 29 participating clubs and is organized into eight regions. Members participated in the 1998 National Town Hall, worked with the State Party on Arizona’s first presidential debate, and sponsored the 1990 State Gubernatorial Debate. Members have served as governor, secretary of state, state treasurer, state senator, state representative, corporation commissioner, state senate president, speaker of the house, county school superintendent, county treasurer, county supervisor, city and town council member, school board member, and judge. 

Past presidents include:

Cindy Collins, 2008-09 Noreen Thomas, 2006-07 Dorothy Greener, 2004-05 Barbara McMullen, 2002-03 Rae Chornenky, 2000-01 The Hon. Marian McClure, 1998-99 Ramonia Thomas, 1996-97 Kay Van Sant, 1994-95 Sharon Giese, 1992-93 Joan Heskett, 1990-1991 Norma Steinbrenner, 1988-89 Dorothee Goodrich, 1986-87 Vedah Luce, 1984-85 Carolyn Taylor, 1982-83 Dodie Londen, 1979-81 The Hon. Elsa Mulhern, 1977-78 Barbara Peck, 1975-76 The Hon. Winifred Hershberger, 1973-74 Mrs. Ted Kraft, 1971-72 Mrs. John Troster, 1969-70 Mrs. B.B. Stephenson, 1968 Mrs. Louis Ely, 1966-67 Mrs. Richard Burk, 1965

Mrs. Curtis Long, 1963-64 Mrs. Bert Cross, 1961-62 Wilma Brummett, 1959-60 Mrs. Glen McDermid, 1958 Mrs. A. H. Dress, 1956-57 Mary Jane Shoun, 1955 Mrs. L.A. Romine, 1953-54 Mrs. J.E. Thompson, 1952 Ruth Gaddis Jeffries, 1950-51 Mae Ricketts, 1948-49 Mrs. L.F. Miller, 1946-47 Mrs. D. Thurston, 1945 Dr. Grace Zorbaugh, 1944 Mrs. Monroe Rand, 1942-43 Irene Tibolet, 1940-41 Mrs. Thomas Harsell, 1938-40 Kate Reynolds, 1937 Eva Robinette, 1935-36 Mrs. Clifford Parsons, 1933-34 Mrs. O.C. Parker, 1931-32 Mrs. Lloyd Cristy, 1929-30 Mrs. J.S. Murless, 1927-28 Mrs. J.L.B. Alexander, 1924-26 (founding)

LOCAL CLUBS

Ahwatukee RW Arrowhead RW Cactus Wren RW Central RW Chandler RW Colorado River RW Estrella RWC Flagstaff RW Gilbert RW Graham County RW

Grande Valley RW Huachuca Area RW Kingman RW Lake Havasu RW Lincoln RWC London Bridge RW Mesa RW Oro Valley RW Palo Verde RW Paradise RWC

Pima County RW Prescott RW Rio Colorado RW RW of Pinal County Tempe RW Thunder Mountain RW Tucson RW Verde Valley RW Yuma County RW

NOTE: The Arizona Federation's web site features a page on each local club. Visit www.azfrw.org/Members.htm.