FEDERATION PROFILE

A charter state of the NFRW, the Connecticut Federation credits President Theodore Roosevelt and Dr. Willard Fleck for their inspiration and encouragement to organize Republican women's clubs. Corinne Alsop Cole, Roosevelt's niece, made frequent visits to the White House, where "Uncle Teddy" warned her that if she did nothing to organize women before they were franchised, the "shrewd and lewd politicians" would use these new voters for their own ends. Cole and Ella Fleck set in motion the organization of clubs throughout the state. Fleck, at the urging of her husband, determined to change the law that prevented "lunatics, criminals and women" from voting. She wrote to ministers, priests and rabbis asking for introductions to women they knew who could help in an emergency or disaster. Many valuable women of Republican philosophy were thus contacted and brought into activity.

Past presidents include:
Barbara McInerney
Nancy C. Apy
Katherine Byrne
Alice Russ Cochrane
Edna Edgerton
Anna Mae Switaski
Constance Collins
Norma Frost
Letus Jennings (founding)

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

LOCAL CLUBS

Manchester Old Saybrook

Simsbury Stamford

Stonington Waterford