GFRW History

History of the Georgia Federation of Republican Women

The Georgia Federation affiliated with the NFRW in 1957. Following the Republican National Convention in 1956, Mrs. Harold McGeorge of Florida, regional director for the NFRW, and Margaret Twiggs, vice chairman of the Georgia Republican State Committee, toured the state organizing the first Republican women’s clubs in Atlanta, Macon, Rome, Americus and Blue Ridge. When General Eisenhower carried Richmond County, the Republican women were given the credit. The Georgia Federation’s first convention was held in Augusta in January 1957, and President Eisenhower wired his congratulations. One of the state’s leading newspapers, The Atlanta Constitution, said, “The two-party system in Georgia gained momentum Monday when a state-wide organization of Republican Women was formed in Augusta.”

Past presidents include:

Suzy Voyles, 2010
Millie Rogers, 2006-2009
Valerie Betz, 2002-2005
Emma Hinesley, 1998
Sharon Jacoby, 1993
Reva Jennings, 1987
Sandra Deyton, 1985
Helen Von Waldner, 1983
Katherine Miller, 1979 and 1989
June Kidd, 1977
Lil McAfee, 1975
Margaret Holliman, 1971
Virginia Estes Massey, 1968
Bootsie Calhoun, 1967
Ague Miller, 1965
Mrs. W.C. LeShanna, 1964
Rita Creeson, 1963
Anne Bateman, 1961
Mrs. Halycon Bell, 1959
Mrs. S.S. Haliburton, 1957 (founding)