by Monica Chamness
Staff Writer
A far cry from the pre-sufferage days of the early 1900s, women have made great strides in the political realm since securing the right to vote.
One group of ladies intent on remaining on the forefront of the movement is the Republican Women’s Club of Duval Federated, which was chartered in the 1940s and is part of the National Federation of Republican Women. Nationwide, there are 2,000 clubs and over 100,000 women participating.
“Women’s issues are American family issues,” said Cindy Burgin, president of the local club.
Topics such as homeland security, education, voter participation, economic prosperity and equal rights are just some of their concerns. The group, which has 265 members, is also focusing on regional problems.
“The biggest issue on the agenda is the literacy problem here,” said Lynda Follenweider, second vice chair of the club and a former school teacher. “Forty seven percent of the people in Jacksonville are illiterate. It’s a vicious cycle. If the parent can’t read, it’s hard to instill that in the child.”
To help combat the problem, the Republican Women’s Club has formed a coalition with Learn to Read of Jacksonville and Shands Jacksonville to give books to children. The pediatric unit is treated to story time. Volunteering and coordinating the reading zone at this weekend’s Much Ado About Books fair is another initiative.
“We have a booth to sign up volunteers to read to children and to help identify literacy problems,” said Follenweider.
Taking educational enhancement another step, a scholarship program has been started to grant $1,000 to a graduating high school senior based on a 3.0 GPA and volunteer work in the community.
The rhetoric of less government and more opportunities for individuals is embraced by the women. Of course, being a political entity, the club strives to promote and inform the public of their causes through grassroots efforts.
“Our objective is to foster loyalty to the party and get our candidates elected,” said Burgin.
Showing a united front, other party members including State Sen. Jim King, lobbyist Mike Hightower, Mayor John Delaney, State Rep. Don Davis, City Council member Lad Daniels and U.S. Rep. Ander Crenshaw participated in the group’s annual fundraiser/fashion show last month.
“We have quite a few associate members who are men,” said Burgin. “But our objective is to get women involved. The new Republican woman is the working mom. Politics is exciting. We’re a dynamic, energetic group so we draw women. Nationally, we’re the largest voting block.”
Human rights are another subject the club seeks to address.
Last month they had a speaker who was a doctor in Afghanistan. He established an underground clinic so that Afghan women could have access to health care.
“He raised over $50 million to sneak them across the border,” said Burgin.
Counterterrorism is something the women are also discussing. At their monthly meeting today, FBI special agent Lucy Hoover will speak to the organization on how the events of Sept. 11 have affected her job and domestic security.
Burgin joined the club eight years ago when her son was four years old.
“I got involved because if I wanted my son to grow up with the freedoms I enjoyed, then I needed to do my part,” she said. “I want my children to know it’s their civic responsibility to make a difference. Every vote counts so it’s important to be involved in the political process. What each individual does makes a difference in the course of our nation.”
Keeping the torch of freedom burning is important to the group.
To express their appreciation for America’s veterans, they are throwing a Valentine’s Day party for patients at the veteran’s hospital in Gainesville. They never miss a Veteran’s Day parade either.
“I think people are becoming more aware and more patriotic since Sept. 11,” said Burgin.