NCFRW – Thankful for those who gave all for Liberty! | | | From the desk of Kay Wildt, NCFRW President | | |
Remember
I just attended a US Army Change of Command ceremony, and I was moved by the speech of one person. Before he began his remarks on leaving that assignment, the officer recited the names of every soldier who had died while serving with him.
I asked about that, and he replied that he wants to remind the young soldiers who have not seen combat that there is a tremendous cost to war, and we must never forget who paid that price.
For the past four years, NCFRW has distributed American Legion poppies to our members at our May meeting in commemoration of those who served our country and did not return.
While the wearing of red poppies began in England to commemorate Armistice Day, November 11th, in the USA, however, we honor our fallen on Memorial Day.
Many of us have loved ones or forebearers who served our nation in the military, and so we honor them and the memory of our nation's heroes with this gesture.
The poem, "In Flanders Field" by LTC John McCrae, reflects on the sacrifices of soldiers who died in battle. The poem serves as a poignant reminder of the cost of war and the importance of honoring those who have fallen.
| | Reflection A Prayer for Living | | |
Lord, you said you do not give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind. Amen! That you set our feet on solid ground, that you are righteousness, and you put righteousness in us. Not that we would be haughty, but that we would serve and do good for others. In your Godly order and your stability may we live in, walk in, and serve in your strength.
We ask for mercy, grace, and strength to live each day as a light set on a hill so
others may have hope. Give us wisdom and understanding in how to lead. We pray this for our leaders, our families and our government. Thank you, God for all things.
| | NCFRW Leaders for 2025-2027 | | (L to R: Stephanie Broughton, VP Coastal Region; Erica Vedeikis, President-Elect; Sarah Wetherby, Secretary; Toni Wall, VP Mountain Region; Stephanie Franks, VP-Elect Foothills Region; Cooper Falls, Asst. Secretary-Elect.) Not pictured: Felice Pete, VP-Elect Capital Region; Cara Dohner, VP-Elect Central Region, Pam Keller, Treasurer; Kelly Gallimore, Asst. Treasurer. | | At our Biennnial Convention, NCFRW members elected Erica Vedeikis, current VP for our Foothills Region as our next President. Erica's technology skills have benefitted NCFRW and NFRW greatly, and Erica and her team are already planning future technology improvements. Erica also serves on the NFRW Orlando Convention Committee, so she'll keep us up-to-date on those plans. | | Candace Sullivan, President of Craven Co. RW was pleased to accept the RISE Award for her club's excellence and its work in 2024. | | Dixie Bishop, President of Macon Co RW accepted the RISE Award on behalf of her club members. Macon Co RW succeeded despite Hurricane Helene. | | Felice Pete, President of Wake RW and our VP - Elect for the Capital Region, received the RISE Award for her club's many successes. | | |
RISE Awards are presented to clubs that achieve four goals during the preceding year.
R = Recruitment; Meeting or exceeeding the recruitment goal.
I = Involvement in Federation meetings.
S=Service through community volunteer hours.
E=Education , the club provides political information to the community.
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Every two years, NFRW women from across the nation elect a new leadership team, and this year we will hold that election during our Biennial Convention in Orlando at Rosen's Shingle Creek.
At the biennial convention - great speakers, training sessions, presentation of Club Achievement Awards, National awards for Literacy, Caring for America, Armed Services and other special awards.
At the Spring NFRW meeting, the Board voted to offer an Early-Bird Registration fee of only $300, available for a two-week period. Keep watching NFRW emails and plan to take advantage of that Early-Bird offer when it is announced in summer.
Above all else, it is wonderful to be with other like-minded women who love God and Country and are committed to protecting our nation. And we have fun!
| | NC Supreme Court Race 2026 | | |
Here is welcome news for North Carolina voters who overwhelmingly support conservative judges and justices in our courts.
North Carolina House Representative Sarah Stevens (District 90 - Surry) announced that in 2026, she will challenge far-left activist Associate Justice Anita Earls for a seat on the NC Supreme Court.
Known for working tirelessly on reforming the NC Child Welfare system, Rep. Stevens is a relentless advocate for children. “I will be a conservative voice for justice and families on the Supreme Court,” Stevens wrote in her announcement. “My experience as a family law attorney and a state legislator has prepared me to be a voice for those who cannot advocate for themselves.”
Rep. Stevens, an attorney from Mount Airy, is in her ninth term in the House and has practiced law since 1986. A graduate of the Campbell University School of Law, Sarah served as the president of the Surry County Bar Association and former chair of the NC Courts Commission.
Rep. Stevens chaired the House Elections Law, Judiciary and Joint Legislative Administrative Procedure Oversight committees and has served with distinction and been a champion of conservative values.
This Supreme Court race is critical, and we call on all our clubs to join in supporting and working for Rep. Sarah Stevens in fundraising, voter registration, and introducing her to our communities. We need your help; we cannot allow the far-left to take over our courts.
| | Highlights of our Spring Meeting | | |
NCFRW invited Sandy Moyer, Chair of the Republican National Hispanic Assembly -NC and other members, as well as NC Federation of Young Republican Chair Emily Stack and NCFYR Executive Director Bill Britton to join us for our Leadership Institute training with Carlos Cardenas.
Many, many thanks to Celeste Stanley and Debbie Dennis Regent Co-Chairs for the success of our Regent Program. Not only do we have record donors, but also, we have our first Regent Club - the Crystal Coast RW. We are delighted to report that 51 Regents gathered on Friday evening to celebrate together. Kyshia Brassington our NC RNC National Committeewoman impressed us all with the challenges she's faced in her career as a businesswomen and leader in her community.
Special thanks to Pauline Bruno for bringing lovely centerpieces and to Charli Thyne President of Moore RW for helping to decorate our events.
Note: If you booked your hotel room through the NCFRW link, your parking fee will be refunded by the hotel, as our contract called for free parking if booked in that way.
| | Legislative Day was outstanding. Thank you to Capital Region VP Jackie Weyhenmeyer for planning a great day. Photos and story will be in the next newsletter. | | |
Training in Cary
In April the Republican National Hispanic Assembly - NC held a training class in Cary given by Carlos Cardenas and Barbara Casanova of the Leadership Institute (LI) to equip members with skills to work in their communities.
Local RNHA-NC chapter Chair Sandy Moyer invited NCGOP Chair Jason Simmons and NCFRW President Kay Wildt to attend the event and to encourage a closer working relationship among the groups.
The RNHA - NC seeks to promote Hispanic-American issues and interests within the Republican Party, and the Party’s interests and candidates within the Hispanic-American population.
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Triangle RW
RW of Chapel Hill Chatham
RW of Cary & Southwestern Wake
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Representative Virginia Foxx
An Evening with Virginia Foxx was sponsored by the three clubs to honor our distinguished Congressional member who has represented North Carolina since 2005.
Renee Hill, Donna Stewart, Kathleen Dusto and Deborah Vaughan welcomed the guests to the University Club in Durham. Special guests included NFRW 1st VP Martha Jenkins, NC Representative Amy Galey and NCFRW President Kay Wildt, all of whom were asked to speak.
Although the evening was intended to honor Rep. Foxx, the Congresswoman turned the honor for her to one where she honored the volunteers in the clubs and gave a touching and encourging speech for us to continue our efforts.
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Continuing support for Helene Recovery
BCRWC member Teri Lindeberg met with Carl Fultz of the Appalachian Army to deliver gift cards for $300 to purchase building supplies for continued Hurricane Helene relief efforts in the Buncombe County area. We appreciate our first responders, rescue workers, and the recovery workers who helped WNC at such a critical time.
Captain Carl Futz of the Fairview Fire Department is a highly skilled rescue worker, who organized hurricane relief efforts in WNC for the Appalachian Army. With the help of over 80 volunteers (many from the Knoxville, TN area), they supplied more than 20 campers, temporary housing structures and supplies for those displaced. The Appalachian Army also built two additional structures for housing traveling relief workers in hard-hit Swannanoa.
| | In December BCRWC gave needed Christmas gifts to two families greatly impacted by Hurricane Helene. | |  | BCRWC collected food and gave proceeds from a 50/50 raffle to the Appalachian Army. | | | |
Mary Frances Forrester, NCFRW Parliamentarian reminds Secretaries, that, according to Robert's Rules of Order, the secretary's minutes should primarily document what actions were taken, not what was said, during the meeting. This includes key information like the type of meeting, date, time, location, attendance, and the disposition of all motions, points of order, and appeals. Discussion or comments are never recorded.
Many, many thanks to Mary Frances for her excellent parliamentary guidance - good advice mixed with kindness and generosity of spirit.
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- June 5 - 8, 2025: NCGOP State Convention, Koury Convention Center
- September 25 - 28, 2025: NFRW Convention, Orlando, Florida
- November 15, 2025: NCFRW Fall Meeting, Koury Convention Center
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Let your light shine!
We'd like to hear about all the great things your clubs are doing and share the news in this newsletter! Contact NCFRepublicanWomen@gmail.com and send in your information and photos.
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JOIN THE NCFRW REGENTS PROGRAM
Heartfelt thanks to our members and friends who support NCFRW through our Regents program. You enable us to achieve our goals.
We are excited to announce that your club may be a REGENT CLUB. Thank you to our first Regent Club, Crystal Coast Republican Women's Club!
SILVER REGENT CLUB FOR 2025:
CRYSTAL COAST REPUBLICAN WOMEN'S CLUB
NCFRW Regents for 2025:
GOLD - Sarah Absher, Dena Barnes, Stephanie Broughton, Debbie Dennis, Gay Dillard, Mary Frances Forrester, Cornelia Groce, Barbara Harrison, Kristine Hunt, Martha Jenkins, Senator Dana Jones, Diane LeBlanc, Susan Mills, Gail Morfesis, Pat C. Smith, Celeste Stanley, Carol Ulrich, Angela Vacek, Ceil Wasserman, Jackie Weyhenmeyer, Kay Wildt
SILVER - Christine Adams, Jeanna Benoy, Nancy Brinkley, Christine Card, Jo Clark, Janice Craig, Stephanie Franks, Kelly Gallimore, Angela Hawkins, Didi Hedrick, Linda Hill, Margeaux Holland, Linda McAlister, Michele Nix, Sandra Patterson, Patsy Penuel, Terri Penzenstadler, Felice Pete, Linda Petrou, Brenda Rembert, Leisa Rowe, Cat Stash, Brenda Teague, Charli Thyne, Erica Vedeikis, Sarah Wetherby
BRONZE - Lari Bubile, Laura Cox, Ellen Donovan, Cindy Edwards, Melissa Freeman, Kathy Gleeson, Pam Higgins, Mary Anne Huggins, Ann James, Lisa James, Carolyn Justice, Martha Miller, Anita Moody, Misty Nagy, Janet Nutley, Becky Porter, Peggy Smetana, Donna Stewart, Candace Sullivan, Marge Swierz, Toni Wall
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NCFRW Regents Program
Our special Regent Program provides additional funding to keep NCFRW dues low, fund special events, train and recruit candidates and educate voters. May pay in installments. See our website to join. Become a Regent today!
Bronze Level $150
Silver Level $250
Gold Level $500
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Support NCFRW with a donation!
Contributions to NCFRW enable us to bring great speakers to our meetings, positively impact our state and nation, recruit and elect conservatives, advocate for good government, and offer training and communications.
We're fighting for you, our families and our nation.
Please support our work with a gift from your heart.
We are grateful for help at every level. Thank you!
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