The History of CFRW

The California Federation of Republican Women was organized in January 1925.  Although women in California have had the right to vote since 1911, the women of Southern California did not become actively interested in good government until the ratification of the 19th Amendment, which granted equal suffrage, in 1920.  They organized the Los Angeles Republican Study Club with Mrs. Florence Collins Porter as leader.  This Study Club became a model for other cities.  Southern Division and Mrs. Parker Maddux, of San Francisco, as President of Northern Division.  In 1937-38 Central Division was formed.

At the 1938 biennial conventions the members voted to join the newly organized National Federation of Women's Clubs under the name of the California Council of Republican Women.  In 1954 National became the National Federation of Republican Women and our State organization again became known as the California Federation of Republican Women.