Republican Women to Celebrate 60 Years in Ramona

Intermountain Republican Women, Federated, has a long history in Ramona and the backcountry – 60 years long.

A handful of women got together on July 19, 1951, at the home of Virginia and John Fansher to share their views on the Republican Party and the role of women in it. By the time the charter was issued two weeks later on Aug. 2, there were 47 founding members. The first president was Emily Sawday.

At that time, the only requirements to become a member was to be a woman and a registered Republican. Over the years, the rules changed and men are now allowed to join as associate members. The Republican qualification, however, remains the same.

Members traveled to Los Angeles in 1954 to attend a rally at the Hollywood Bowl for President Eisenhower. Members often traveled to Washington, D.C., and other cities around the country to attend conventions.

Meetings for the first 30 years were held monthly in members’ homes. Now they go to lunch at a local restaurant before conducting the business meeting. There also is an annual barbecue dinner.

The next meeting on June 27 at San Vicente Inn will be a celebration of the club’s six decades of serving Ramona and the backcountry communities of Julian, Santa Ysabel, Mesa Grande and Warner Springs. In the early years, members came from as far away as Sunshine Summit, Aguanga and Borrego Springs.

Four of the women have consistently renewed their membership and stayed active with the club for more than 40 years. They are: Jane Barnes of Julian; Betty Anne Tulloch of Witch Creek; Susan Slaughter of Julian; and Delores Anderson, now of San Diego.

Many prominent Republican leaders have traveled to the club’s meetings to address issues of importance to the party. Michael Reagan, son of President Reagan, attended a barbecue meeting about 30 years ago at the Witch Creek home of Tot Cumming. Duncan L. Hunter was a recent guest to talk about the book he authored, Victory in Iraq. Politicians Bob Wilson, Jack Schrade, John Stull and Bill Craven have been among the speakers over the years. Navy Adms. Decker and Jarrell showed up in the 1960s to reveal some military insight.

County Republican leaders Dianne Jacob, Paul Fordem, George Bailey, Bill Bradley, Paul Eckert, Trisha Hunter and Larry Stirling were frequent guests.

Local political contenders also had a chance to address their prospective voters, as well as supporters of local, state and federal issues appearing on the ballots.

When a campaign office opened in Ramona in the 1980s, it was staffed by volunteers from Intermountain Republican Women.

The local club currently boasts a membership roster of 115 dedicated Republicans. Members are encouraged to “become actively involved in the political process (and) are mentored to develop their own style of activism and political leadership,” according to its mission statement. The primary functions of the club are civic education and political activism.

The club is affiliated with the state organization that formed in 1925 and the national organization of Federated Republican Women that formed in 1938.

History of Intermountain Republican Women, Federated, was researched with special thanks to members Sue Ruputz, Claudia Weringer and Sallie McKelvey.