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The Pat Nixon Republican Women Federated (PNRWF) , formerly Yorba Linda Republican Women Federated, was founded on January 26, 1966 by Muriel Sutton. The first president of YLRWF was Charlotte Loomis. On March 25, 1966, Charlotte received a letter from Grace Thackeray, president of Southern Division of the California Federation of Republican Women, welcoming the new club into the Federation.
The new Yorba Linda Republican Women Federated let no grass grow under their feet. As soon as they received their charter, they were off and running. Setting up Republican headquarters, planning fundraisers, helping with fundraisers for the OCFRW, bussing people to the polls to vote – the list goes on and on.
They had many wonderful Candidate Nights with many impressive candidates. The group attended many biennial conventions of the NFRW. The second president of YLRW, Bette Smith, was able to attend her very first convention of the National Federation of Republican Women in May 1967 in Washington, D.C. In May of that year, the local newspaper ran the headline, “Mrs. Smith Goes To Washington.” Bette said of that trip, “It was one of the highlights of her life.”
The group met many celebrities, such as Shirley Temple-Black, George Murphy, Nancy Reagan, and of course President Richard Nixon and First Lady Pat Nixon. The women of the YLRWF became the cheerleaders for many of the early happenings, both in the city of Yorba Linda and Republican candidates.
In January of 1968, Bette Smith attended, along with other members of the Federation, the installation of the president of the National Federation of Republican Women, Gladys O’Donnell, of Long Beach. Senator George Murphy installed Mrs. O’Donnell and Shirley Temple Black was the keynote speaker.
In 1968 the YLRWF were present when Richard Nixon kicked off his campaign for President in the Grand Arena of the Anaheim Convention Center. The YLRWF worked diligently and in the process helped Richard Nixon become President of the United States. They were instrumental in loading 13 buses, taking 700 people to the polls to vote for Richard Nixon. That November 1968, Yorba Lindanes gave Richard Nixon a huge majority, 5,827 votes compared to 1,408 for George McGovern. In January 1969, President Richard Nixon greeted Bette Smith, along with 3,000 laughing, gawking thrilled Republican Women on the White House lawn.
The Republican Women from the beginning have spent many hours in opening and staffing Campaign Headquarters, helping Republican candidates get elected. It has been a long-standing tradition for very prominent Republicans to attend the opening of thes headquarters which holds true today.
In 1971, the YLRWF participated in an Independence Day Celebration called the “Grand Old Picnic” at the site for the soon-to-be Richard Nixon Library and Birthplace. It is obvious to see that these early members had the privilege of being part of the very early beginnings of the Republican Party, not just in Yorba Linda, but Orange County.
In 1972, the YLRWF launched an all-out campaign to nominate Richard Nixon for a second term. They were also very busy introducing other candidates, educating and informing the women of the ideals of the Republican Party./p>
On May 15, 1974 there was quite an array of distinguished speakers at their “Meet the Candidates” meeting. Those in attendance were candidates running for City, County and State offices. This meeting gave the YLRWF much needed information to vote in an intelligent manner.
The early days of the YLRWF gave the members many and varied opportunities to not only meet many prominent Republicans, but to help get them elected. Also, at that time the population of Orange County was approximately 75% Republican. Candidates were eager, willing and able to be seen and heard at the County’s Federated Republican Clubs.
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