Health & Fitness
A Celebration: 50 Years of Republicans Serving Alexandria
The Commonwealth Republican Women's Club (CRWC) celebrated 50 years of service in Alexandria at a gala event Thursday evening, April 28, 2011 at the historic Lloyd House.
The Commonwealth Republican Women’s Club (CRWC) celebrated 50 years of service in Alexandria at a gala event Thursday evening, April 28, 2011 at the historic Lloyd House.
Republican notables and club members turned out in force, testifying to the club’s many years of support to local and state candidates, to community service and to America’s time-honored system of participatory governance.
Shortly after its founding in 1961, the club achieved a major goal with the election, in 1967, of Wiley Mitchell as the first Republican member of the Alexandria City Council since Reconstruction. He became the Vice Mayor in 1970, followed by the elections of Republicans Connie Ring and Bill Cleveland to the Alexandria City Council and, more recently, Council members Frank Fannon and Alicia Hughes.
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Sharon Day, newly elected Republican National Committee Co-chair, appearing in “Republican red,” set the stage for Republican victories in 2012. She praised club members for energizing the electorate and getting out the vote – and exhorted them to “keep up the great work!”
Other Republican speakers thanked CRWC members for their commitment and spirit and urged a re-doubling of effort in 2012: former first lady Susan Allen, former Virginia Governor James Gilmore, former Alexandria Vice Mayor Wiley Mitchell, Rebecca Wales of Smart Girl Politics and Alexandria Councilman Frank Fannon.
Find out what's happening in Old Town Alexandriawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Fay Williamson, President of the Virginia Federation of Republican Women presented a 50 Year certificate to CRWC, a member club. The honor was accepted by founding member, Jane Ring, an Alexandria Living Legend, who noted: “We’ve come a long way in 50 years. We’ve shown we can make a difference - in politics and in the community - and I know tonight is just the beginning of a continuation of strong Republican women in Alexandria.”
CRWC consists of about 85 local members who discuss the issues that shape their community’s future and take action to achieve recognized goals. The club supports the literacy program at Community Lodgings, women’s health, and special groups such as Meals on Wheels and the Commission for Women.
In 2011, the Alexandria Commission for Women awarded The Marguerite Payez Leadership Award for volunteerism to club member Julie Lineberry. Past CRWC award recipients include Betty McCann, Sharon Annear (twice), Jane Ring, Fran Redmon, Becky Davies and Alicia Hughes.
