Submitted by Republican Women of Prescott
With COVID in our rearview mirror, 2022 brought a renewed enthusiasm to Republican Women of Prescott with an active board of directors headed by a Prescott-raised President, Sherrie Hanna.
RWOP hit the ground running with an aggressive fundraising plan and over 50 candidates running for 2022 offices in both state and local elections booked for monthly luncheon speaking engagements.
All of this planning reinforces RWOP’s mission statement that we are dedicated to promoting the principles of the Republican Party through an informed electorate by educating and empowering its members and by electing Republicans to local, state and national offices.
In 2022, the RWOP members’ generosity was evident. Although we could not hold our major fundraiser because of COVID restrictions, our ways and means committee came through with many successful events.
Fundraisers included a Kentucky Derby, Dignitary Speaking Breakfast, Jeans and Jewels BBQ & Dance, Chili Cook Off, Tea and Fashion Show as well as RWOP merchandise sales.
Fundraising proceeds support our operation and the annual scholarship awards program. Generosity also was shown at our luncheons as our members contributed over $23,600 for our veterans, law enforcement personnel and first responders through our Red and Blue Envelope contribution program.
RWOP supports our women and men who have served in the Armed Forces. In February we donated $7,882 to Honor Flight, plus raised $6,875 toward lunches, food and necessities for several veteran organizations in Prescott.
Our November Veteran Luncheon is a tribute to all military branches. We provide over 100 lunches and a token gift of appreciation to each service woman and man in attendance.
A packed crowd of 430 were present in May to honor the 13 recipients of the RWOP annual scholarship program. The total scholarship award in 2022 was $14,000. This year we expanded the program to not only include quad-city high school seniors, but also two recipients from Embry-Riddle Aeronautics University (ERAU).
Next year we hope to help establish a Young Republican Club at ERAU. Since 2015, RWOP has awarded a total of 79 recipients with scholarship funds totaling $105,000.
In mid-2022, the education committee launched two Parent Empowerment Forums inviting parents, as well as concerned citizens, to learn how to stop Critical Race Theory (CRT) and Social Emotional Learning (SEL) from being taught in our local schools. RWOP also hosted several events featuring Republican candidates running for the PUSD governing board. Candidates presented their qualifications and plans for involvement with our Prescott public schools.
In December 2021, a dedicated executive committee member developed RWOP 101, a two-hour in-depth orientation class for RWOP members. It is a deep dive into the inner workings of RWOP. In 2022, nearly 100 members completed the course.
RWOP 101 gained recognition at the Arizona Federation of Republican Women state meeting in June and will become a workshop for other Arizona Federated clubs in the spring. In addition, RWOP offered a 10-hour Constitution class taught by Kelly Cordes, a highly decorated American Civics teacher now retired from Prescott High School.
Currently, plans are underway for an 80th anniversary Celebration for RWOP. We will honor the past RWOP presidents and invite our 1,000-plus members to this joyous occasion. We are proud to say we are guided by the same mission statement established by our Founder Dora Heap in 1942.
Interested in joining this amazing organization? Check out www.rwop.info for details.
