GREATER MCLEAN

​

HISTORY OF THE GMWRC

The long history of The Greater McLean Republican Women's Club (GMRWC) goes all the way back to 1944, having its roots in the Fairfax County Republican Women's Club. The FCRWC was the first Republican Women's Club in the county and preceded by one year the charter of the Virginia Federation of Republican Women. When the FCRWC disbanded after 20 years of service, a group of ten or so of its members gathered to organize the Greater McLean Republican Women's Club. The GMRWC was chartered in 1968, and two years later, under President Louise Geil, joined the Virginia federation. From these ten founding women, the club has grown to an average annual membership of 200, even surpassing 300 during the Reagan years. 

​

The GMRWC has produced three VFRW presidents, as well as numerous VFRW and NFRW (National Federation of Republican Women) board members. Members have sought, and/or won, elective office for such public service positions as the school board, County Board of Supervisors, State Senate, Lt. Governor, and National Committee Woman. These public servants have come from a membership drawn from all walks of life: homemakers, teachers, small business owners, lawyers, doctors, accountants, corporate officers, elected officials, wives of elected officials, members of the DAR, and naturalized citizens, reflecting a cross section of 21st century American women. 

​

The GMRWC, led by President Dot Callahan, helped to elect the first Republican Governor since Reconstruction, Gov. Linwood Holton. Gov. Holton was a McLean resident whose wife, Jinx, was a member of our club. And the list of successful candidates whom the club supported and for whom its members worked tirelessly goes on from there.