An elephant running loose through the corridors of a hotel. Dozens of women
donning construction gear. Enough flowered fabric to outfit a Hawaiian luau.

Mary Jo Arndt’s life has been a whirlwind of political activism. She’s headed the state and national women’s GOP organizations. She spearheaded the formation of the GOP women’s think-tank, the Illinois Roundtable. She established the Illinois Lincoln Series, a state organization that prepares women for successful political careers. And two US presidents named her to the President’s Commission on White House Fellows.

Making sure women had a voice in a male-dominated field has long been the Lombard woman’s focus. And making noise often involved employing unusual tactics. There was the time she convinced her son-in-law to don an elephant costume while she drummed up support for her candidacy to an executive position with the National Federation of Women. And the time she passed out hard hats to supporters “to build the Republican Party” as she waged another bid for office in the national GOP women’s organization. And the time she dressed her family and friends in Hawaiian muumuus and shirts at yet another convention.

Women from across Illinois were treated to a condensed version of Arndt’s political antics at the Illinois Federation of Republican Women’s biennial convention held in late October. The IFRW honored Arndt by making her a lifetime member, and her family shared a slide presentation chronicling Arndt’s long, storied relationship with the Republican Party. Arndt also spoke on the “Challenges, Accomplishments and Memories of Illinois Republican Women: A Legacy of Leadership.”

That history includes 20 years as a Republican National Committeewoman for Illinois, sitting on the Midwestern Region of the RNC Executive Committee for three years, acting as an advisor to the Republican National Hispanic Assembly of Illinois, and chairing the Illinois Women for McCain campaign. Arndt credited a long list of GOP women who blazed the way before her with clearing the path for today’s politically savvy women.

“I’m proud of what we stand for and what we can do,” said Arndt, of her Republican sisters. “We’ve opened the doors of politics for thousands of women.”

Arndt’s activist role reaches beyond the political arena. The former teacher and newspaper columnist today is managing partner and hospital administrator of Lombard Veterinary Hospital. She’s served on the US Small Business Administration National Advisory Council and the National Board of Directors of Leadership America. She also was named to Illinois Governor’s Commission on the Status of Women. Her numerous other state and federal appointments led to Today’s Chicago Woman twice recognizing her as a “Power Personality” for her role in shaping Chicagoland’s business and social environment.

At the convention, Arndt spoke on the “Challenges, Accomplishments and Memories of Illinois Republican Women: A Legacy of Leadership”. She challenged the IFRW crowd to forge their own paths to success.

“Dream bold dreams. Aim high. Be innovative and forward thinking. Be inclusive. Mentor and be mentored,” she said. “Take a stand on issues that are important to us. Don’t be afraid to have diversity of opinion.”