Women's Republican Club of Lancaster County
Founded by Suffragettes
1922 - 2015
About the Women's Republican Club of Lancaster County
MISSION:
The Women's Republican Club of Lancaster County is an affiliate of the Pennsylvania Federation of Republican Women. Our mission is to support and strengthen the Republican Party, to advance women in political knowledge and political activity and to promote honest government and unselfish patriotism.
HISTORY:
In the summer of 1922, a group of women made plans to gather other civic-minded women such as themselves into one large Republican Club for Lancaster County. Having helped Republican candidates and worked hard to fight for their right to vote, these ladies were already politically active. The founders of our club were Mrs. Charles Stauffer, Mrs. Bernard J. Myers, Mrs. I.H. Herr and Mrs. Mary S. Long. They printed an invitation in the local newspaper urging women to attend the first meeting of the Women’s Republican Club of Lancaster County (WRC) on October 3, 1922. 1,000 women attended this meeting at the Brunswick Hotel in Downtown Lancaster and the Women’s Republican Club was born. Membership peaked in 1972 at 3,500 members.
For decades, members of the WRC have engaged in projects to introduce candidates to the electorate, preparing and supporting women to hold public office, and supporting Republican principles. Some of these projects include:Participation in Naturalization Day & the Sertoma Club LuncheonGiving of the Order of the GarterSelection of the Teen of the WeekGiving of the Louise Souder Youth AwardThemed Summer PartiesGarden PartiesHoliday TeasFingertip LuncheonsCard Parties & Card and Dane PartiesCorn RoastsMeet the Candidates EventsFashion ShowsRummage SalesMembers have always found a way to finance all of their accomplishments through luncheons, rummage sales, and other fundraising activities. In February 1923, the Pennsylvania Council of Republican Women was organized in Harrisburg, PA with the goal of uniting all Women Republican Clubs throughout the state. In February 1926, the WRC of Lancaster County became a part of the Pennsylvania Council of Republican Women. The name was later changed to the Pennsylvania Federation of Republican Women.