Canfield Republican Women’s Club celebrates 50th anniversary

Staff Report

CANFIELD

The Canfield Republican Women’s Club celebrated its 50th anniversary with a celebration Oct. 15 at Avion on the Water.

The club was founded in 1965 with a mission to provide a local center for obtaining political and legislative information, to increase the number of women registered to vote in the Republican Party and to unite their efforts along party lines. The club participates in Caring for America, nonpartisan projects and literacy programs.

Locally, they support community endeavors and provide grass-roots assistance to qualified Republican political candidates.

Particular programs include book drives for children, support for AMVETS, American Legion, Blue Star Mothers and the Youngstown State University Veterans Center, and the creation of an award/scholarship for female ROTC students at YSU.

Guests at the celebration included U.S. Representative Bill Johnson, Ohio Representative Tim Ginter, Ohio Supreme Court Justice Sharon Kennedy, Mahoning County Auditor Ralph Meacham, 7th District Court of Appeals Judge Mary DeGenaro, Columbiana County GOP chairman David Johnson and Mahoning County GOP chairman Mark Munroe.

Nancy Kochert, CRWC member for 28 years, provided club memorabilia that was displayed at the event. Other members recognized for their years of service included Norma Anderson, 39 years; Mary Ann Bryan, 47 years; Phyllis Conroy, 45 years; Gail Gunger, 35 years; and Shirley Pitzer, 25 years.

The group was honored with a proclamation from Ohio governor John Kasich, a letter from U.S. Senator Rob Portman and certificate of appreciation from President Lyn Bliss of the Ohio Federation of Republican Women.

The club meets each month and welcomes a speaker for each meeting. Members include women throughout Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties, and membership is not restricted to Canfield residents.

For information about the club or membership, email crwcmail@gmail.com.