Past Presidents of the IFRW

2005-2009
Dr. Lois Frels,

Kay Hatcher

Shirley Fazio

Maralee I. Lindley

Regina Benson

Frances Killey

Josephine Oblinger

1998-1999
Chloanne Greathouse

1994-1997
Charlotte Mushow

1992-1993
Jan Landis

1973-
Virginia Macdonald

1969-
Hazel Watson

1964-
Ginny Kenney

1960-
Phyllis Schlafly

1959-
Maryan Boardman 

A Brief History

The Illinois Federation affiliated with the NFRW in 1940. According to state history, "In 1891, the women in Illinois had been granted the right to vote in school elections, and to these women that meant political action. In 1896, a group of Illinois feminists felt that the time had come for action and advertised in the newspapers for a mass meeting of women to be held in Springfield just before the regular state convention." The call stated it was for the purpose of "perfecting a women's Republican club" and selecting a woman candidate for university trustee. 

In the following years, independent clubs were formed. In September 1940, Republican women from all over the state met and elected Marie Suthers the first state president. She served until 1943, the year she was elected president of the NFRW. Two other former state presidents have also served as NFRW president: Patricia Hutar (1976-77) and Mary Jo Arndt (1998-99).