PRESIDENT'S BIOGRAPHY

Kathy Drake was elected president of Missouri FRW in 2009.

She is a lifelong resident of Bolivar, and has worked as office manager for the Polk County University Extension Center for 16 years.

Kathy has been involved with Republican Women since 1984, when she joined Polk County RWC. She has held every officer position in her local club, as well as offices at the district and state levels. She also has chaired various committees and events at all levels.

Kathy believes in community involvement and is a member of various community organizations. She believes in the saying, “You can’t complain if you don’t exercise your right and freedom to vote.”

She is the mother of one son and two daughters, and is Nana to one granddaughter.

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

FEDERATION PROFILE

The Missouri Federation has 54 clubs and nine districts. Members host campaign schools, candidate forums, Women of Tribute events and Lincoln Day celebrations, as well as register voters and educate the public on issues.

On Feb. 15, 1930, representatives from the following Republican women’s clubs met in St. Louis:

Republican Women’s Club of St. Louis, organized 1920
West End Republican Women’s Club of St. Louis, organized 1929
South Side Republican Women’s Club of St. Louis, organized 1921
Greater St. Louis Ladies Club, organized 1928
Greene County Republican Women’s Club, organized 1922
20th Century Republican Women’s Club of Kansas City, organized 1920

The group voted to form a federated Republican Women’s State Club and chose Mrs. Grace S. Burlingham as temporary chairman. On May 9, 1930, a committee was appointed to draft a Constitution and Bylaws. There seemed to be confusion as to which people were to be present at the meeting to adopt the Constitution and Bylaws, so Mrs. Burlingham wrote letters stating that all Republican women of the state were invited and were eligible to vote.

The meeting was called for Saturday, June 7, 1930, to be held in the House of Representatives Room at Jefferson. The Constitution and Bylaws were adopted at that time.

By 1938, the Missouri Federation of Republican Women had grown in numbers and in support throughout the state. At this time, a group of concerned women from across the nation was convinced that women could make a difference in party politics and in the management of government. Representatives from 11 charter states, including Missouri, met in Chicago and formed the National Federation of Republican Women on Sept. 23-24, 1938.

Past presidents include:
Carrie Almond, 2008-09
Ronny Margason, 2006-07
Barbara Cooper, 2004-05
Violet Corbett, 2002-03
Jeanne Hacker, 2000-01
Mrs. La Rue Lemons, 1998-99
Mrs. Mellene Shudy, 1996-97
Mrs. Joanne Breckenridge, 1992-95
Ruth Ann Compton, 1988-91
Mrs. Garhon Stauss, 1984-85
Mrs. Lena Ekman, 1984
Mrs. J. Charlin Sherrill, 1980-83
Mrs. Marybelle Wnuk, 1978-79
Mrs. Eleanor Schicht, 1976-77
Mrs. Betty Arndt, 1974-75
Mrs. Ruby Life, 1972-73
Mrs. Anne McElhiney, 1970-71
Mrs. Maryetta White, 1968-69
Mrs. Ollie Fritschy, 1966-67
The Hon. Rosemary Ginn, 1964-65
Mrs. Earle Frost, 1962-63
Mrs. Harry Gladish, 1960-61
Mrs. Pearl Gehrig, 1938-39 (founding)

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

LOCAL CLUBS

Adair County RWC Barton County RW Benton County RW Bonhomme Township FRWC Boone County FRW Callaway County RWC Ce-Co FRWC (Cedar Co.) Christian County RWC Crawford County RWC Dade County FRW Dent County RWC First Capital RWC (St. Charles) First FRWC of Clay County First Ward FRWC FRW of Lafayette County Gentry County FRWC Greene County RWC Hickory County FRWC High Noon RW Jackson County FRW Jefferson Township RWC

Johnson County RW Kansas City Metro RW Laclede County FRWC Lincoln Ladies RWC Linn County RW Livingston County RWC Macon County RW Mercer County RWC Nodaway County FRW North Howell County    FRWC Pettis County RWC Phelps County RWC Platte County FRW Polk County RWC Pony Express RW Pulaski County RWC Putnam County RW Randolph County FRW Ray County RWC Reagan RFWC

RW of Kansas City RW of Newton County RWC of Northwest    Township RWC of St. Louis RWC of Union (Franklin Co.) Salt River FRW (Shelby Co.) Santa Fe Trail RWC    (Jackson Co.) Southland FRW    (Jackson Co.) St. Charles County RW St. Clair County RW Sullivan County RWC Taney County RW Texas County FRW United FRW Washington FRWC    (Franklin Co.) Wright County FRW