by Carla Bream
The Virginia Federation of Republican Women (VFRW) held their 58th Annual Convention in Richmond-Short Pump over the weekend. Members of the Roanoke Valley Republican Women (RVRW) attended the three day convention and earned the VFRW’s highest award, The Gold Achievement Award.
The Gold Achievement Award is earned by activities and contributions made throughout the year by the local RVRW club. The women donated money to local candidates, held fundraisers, donated books to the Barbara Bush Literary Fund and the Mamie Eisenhower Literary Foundation, supported our troops overseas, donated stuffed animals to sick service member’s children as well as many other charitable activities.
The start of the three day event was a reception held at the Governor’s Mansion, hosted by Governor Bob McDonnell and his wife Maureen. It featured great food and drink and offered all in attendance a chance to speak with the Governor and his wife. Later that evening hospitality suites were hosted by many local politicians.
Saturday’s keynote speaker at the luncheon was Congressman Eric Cantor, who had just arrived from Washington, D.C., right after the historic vote on the federal budget. He explained why he voted the way he did and what he and other conservatives hoped to accomplish later in the year with the 2012 budget, which will feature massive budget cuts. Cantor stated, “You, the women of the VFRW, have always served as the real heart and soul of our Republican Party. You make the difference in every election through your hard work and dedication to the commonsense conservative values that have made our Commonwealth and our Country great.”
The evening’s reception was hosted by George and Susan Allen. Allen is running against Tim Kaine for the Senate seat being vacated by Jim Webb in this fall’s elections. The dinner featured many fine speakers, including keynote speaker Lt. Governor Bill Bolling. Honored guests included former First Lady Roxane Gilmore and the Honorable Jim Gilmore, former First Lady Susan Allen and the Honorable George Allen and Jean Ann Bolling, wife of our current Lt. Governor.
The VFRW consists of 65 local clubs throughout Virginia. They have a total membership of over 2,000 women and approximately 300 attended the convention. The convention itself offered many great learning experiences with their break-out sessions and discussion groups.
