BEAVERTON HILLSBORO REPUBLICAN WOMAN

Socialize with likeminded conservative women.

Support local non-profits.

Turn your values into policy.

Never serve alone.

History of Beaverton - Hillsboro Republican Women

(Formerly Beaverton-West Slope Republican Women)

1954-2020 - By Gail Wilhelms

1954 - The Beginning

A group of politically-interested women formed the Beaverton-West Slope Republican Women (BWRW) in November 1954, setting annual dues at $1.00. Ann Nash McIntyre served as the first President. The Club affiliated with the Oregon Federation of Republican Women and the National Federation of Republican Women, adopted the Federations goals and agreeing to the Federation Bylaws.

1963 - Good Times

By 1963 BWRW had 81 members and continues its popularity into the 90's. Originally, the women met at members' homes, enjoying many of the fine homes in the West Slope and Raleigh Hills neighborhoods. A variety of restaurants hosted special BWRW dinners, including Saylors Road, Golden Crown Chinese Restaurant, and the most often, Westbrook Clubhouse.

70s - 90s -Accolades

BWRW became one of the top clubs in the Oregon Federation of Republican Women, with its membership and influence. Notable members include: Georgia Patterson and Dolores Atiyeh (wives of former Oregon Governors); Jo Kuzmanich (former Sen. Mark Hatfield’s mother-in-law); Jeannette Hamby, former Oregon State Senator Mary Alice Ford, former Oregon State Representative and Washington County Republican Party Chair Delna Jones, former Oregon State Representative and Washington County Commissioner Nancy Ryles, former Oregon State Representative and Pubic Utility Commissioner Bonnie Hayes, former Washington County Commissioner Dorothea Moore, 14-year National Republican Committeewomen Doris Thoen, Oregon Republican Party Treasurer, NFRW Committee Chair Lucille Pursell, Marjory Russell, Betty Atteberry, Rachel Gerber, Inez Riechers, Judy Taylor, and Martha Brooks, Washington County Republican Party Chairs. Jean Gilbert, former NFRW Committee Chair Cappy Straw, Doris Thoen, Beverly Myers and Beryl Stephens, former OFRW Presidents Also, during the 70’s – 90’s, the Club often received the NFRW Diamond Club Achievement Award, and achievement not repeated until 2019!

2000's

In 2000, OFRW asked for a list of 20-year members to be honored at the OFRW Biennial Convention. BWRW shocked the Federation with 32 honorees! In 2005, membership had decreased to 65 and has fluctuated since. By 2003, meeting in members’ homes was no longer feasible, so the Club moved to Fire Station #61’s Community Room and later moved to Ernesto’s Italian Restaurant. In 2007, BWRW met at the Claremont Golf Club clubhouse and the Oak Hills Apartment complex clubhouse.
Both venues worked well for catered luncheons, but soon afterward, both facilities established policies to preclude political meetings. The Club tried a few other places before settling on Rock Creek Country Club in 2010.

2010 - 2020

In 2010, Beaverton West Slope Republican Women changed their name to Beaverton Hillsboro Republican Women (BHRW). Many of the West Slope and Raleigh Hills members had passed away and redistricting had affected the ability of these neighborhoods to elect Republicans. Hillsboro and Washington County population was growing. The County Commission, though non-partisan, reflected Republican values and local House and Senate district positions were held by Republicans. The name change and focus of the Club has been beneficial in drawing members from new areas. Several members have recently served as OFRW or NFRW officer or Committee Chairs: Elizabeth Fischer, former OFRW Olive Drahos Scholarship Chair Sue Zike, former OFRW 2nd Vice-President and Corresponding Secretary and Ways and Means Committee Chair; NFRW Bylaws Vice-Chair Laurel Regan, OFRW Treasurer Alison Kettenhoffen: OFRW Mamie Eisenhower Literacy Project Chair and NFRW
Mamie Eisenhower Project member In 2000, OFRW asked for a list of 20-year members to be honored at the OFRW Biennial Convention. BWRW shocked the Federation with 32 honorees! In 2005, membership had decreased to 65 and has fluctuated since. By 2003, meeting in members’ homes was no longer feasible, so the Club moved to Fire Station #61’s Community Room and later moved to Ernesto’s Italian Restaurant. In 2007, BWRW met at the Claremont Golf Club clubhouse and the Oak Hills Apartment complex clubhouse.
Both venues worked well for catered luncheons, but soon afterward, both facilities established policies to preclude political meetings. The Club tried a few other places before settling on Rock Creek Country Club in 2010.

Beyond the Federation

Beyond the Federation, BHRW members are active in their communities, churches, and with other non-profit organizations, such as The Humane Society, Homeplate Hillsboro and Portland Assistance League, Dyslexia Foundation and Smart Readig. Over the years, three of our members served as Dorchester Conference Presidents: Martha Brooks, Becky Tymchuk, and Gail Wilhelms.

Literacy

BHRW has always encouraged literacy in many ways: scholarships, books, dictionaries, and funds.
In the 70’s, BHRW started a scholarship program and would distribute the funds at an annual tea.
Sometime in the 2000’s, BHRW discontinued the program, but with membership improving and successful fund-raising in recent years, 2019 saw the scholarship program revitalized. The first recipient of a $500 scholarship in 10 years is Kaitlin Hergert of Hillsboro? BHRW donated dictionaries and Constitutions to the German-American School (Beaverton) for many years, until the school officials observed the students used online dictionaries more than hardback dictionaries. In response, the Club redirected dictionary funds to the library donation fund. Now and in past years, BHRW donates new and used books and funds to Hillsboro’s Brookwood, Aloha, and Beaverton Libraries. BHRW is considering expanding the program to Cornelius and Forest Grove libraries. One way the club has remembered deceased members is to donate a book in their name. In 2018, member Alison Kettenhofen started “The Red Shoe Box” book club for members. The group meets monthly at Murrayhill in Beaverton. Members enjoying getting together to discuss the book from the NFRW Book List.

Philanthropy

Philanthropy continues to be a big part of the Club. In the past, the Club has contributed to the Good Neighbor House, Women’s Shelter in Hillsboro, Emergence (office clothes), candidates (no longer allowed), new citizens (American flag,), then new Jacob Wismer Elementary School
(American flag) and Marysville Nursing Home (large print book). More currently (2010 – 2020), BHRW donates goods and funds to Salvation Army Veterans, which also benefitted Family Center, Goodwill, Rescue Mission LifeChange for Women and Children, Washington County Community Action and to others as needs are brought forward.

Fund - Raising

Money may make the world go-round, but for BHRW, it fuels our philanthropy! Fundraisers have always been a big part of the Club. Over the years, there have been some interesting ones: wine auctioned at meetings, Margarita Party (limit 20), Martini Party (limit 20), Hawaiian BBQ with speaker, Masked Ball (not real ball, just by a ticket), Make up Party (15% of proceeds to BHRW), Christmas tree sales, BINGO night with a Mexican Dinner, Play at local a theater (purchase group tickets and sell for a few dollars more), afghan raffle, jewelry and calendars sales, and in the 2000, the start of the annual BHRW garage sale. The garage proceeds have increased every year as the quality and quantity of goods has increased. The fund-raiser allows BHRW to be more and more generous!

Socials

Member socials have been varied over the years from trips to Skamania Falls, the Woodburn Tulip Farm, Schreiners Iris Farm, Washington County Historical Museum, and Rice Rock Museum. The Club endeavored to have one social a year, not counting the BHRW Christmas Party. This event is held in a member’s home and for the past many years has been hosted by Gail Wilhelms in her lovely decorated Claremont home. Of course, the Christmas Party brings a salad/dessert potluck, a gift exchange, and needed items for the Veteran’s Family Center and the LifeChange for Women.
The cooking exchange from past years has been discontinued.

Programs

The vast majority of BHRW luncheon programs present politics and politicians. We have had Governors, Ambassadors, Speakers of the House, Senate Presidents, Senators, Representators, Secretary of State, and many local officials to educate us, update us on elections, and encourage us to be involved. BHRW uses the NFRW Achievement Award program to guide program development. While elected Republicans are always helpful to learn about issues and possible solutions, sometimes BHRW members have expertise to share. For example, Ruth Bendl, a longtime member, spoke on the Electoral College and the History of the Secretary of State. Up until, 2018, member Dawn Phillips, a longtime presence at the Oregon legislative sessions, spoke often on the status of bills, ballot measures, the ongoing politics behind the scene and her opinion of the sessions. In 1981, Former First Lady Barbara Bush created quite a stir when she spoke at a BHRW meeting.
In 2006 Ambassador from Malta, Molly Bordanaro gave us insight to politics abroad.
Since 2015, member Elaine Woods, has keep BHRW well-apprised of legislative actions and inactions, good actions and bad actions. The Club greatly benefits from Elaine’s passion for good government. Former Oregon Representative Dennis Richardson visited BHRW meetings often as he campaigned for Oregon Governor in 2014 and successfully as Secretary of State in 2017.
BHRW raised $1,000 to donate to Richardson’s proposal to build a museum quality cabinet to house the original Oregon State Constitution. BHRW members assisted OFRW to host a reception for Sec. Richardson’s inauguration in 2017 and again hosted a reception following Sec. Richardson’s state funeral in 2019.

In Sum

BHRW credits its success since 1954 on the success of Washington County Republicans in local and state elections, when the County was considered “Republican”.
In 2019, Washington County registered Republicans fell below Non-affiliated and Democrat registered voters. Can Washington County be Republican again? Can1 Column BHRW lend a hand in turning the County red again? BHRW has the enthusiasm, talent, and the members – we can do it! The BHRW is a growing, vibrant and productive Club and remains one of the top clubs in Oregon.