South Bay Republican Women History

The South Bay Council of Republican Women were chartered on July 7, 1938, as the South Bay Federated Republican Women’s Club with 20 charter members meeting in Redondo Beach at the Hollywood Riviera Club House.

Margaret Moodie and Kathleen Smale were co-Founders and Moodie became the first president (1938-1940) with Smale as Secretary. Kathleen Smale became the second president of the Club. 

Two months after the charter, California delegates voted to join the newly formed National Federation of Women’s Republican Clubs (NFWRC), as the California Council of Republican Women (CCRW). 

Kathleen Smale was the 2nd president of the Club, 1940-1942. From the Minutes of Sept. 22, 1941 – the Club was originally called South Bay Club of Republican Women and met in the Hermosa Biltmore with a dues of $1.00. They voted to join the Southern Division of Republican Women with per capita dues at five cents, as well as the Los Angeles County organization of Republican Women per capita being $1 per year. Mrs. Kathleen Smale, president and Mary Brennan were voted as delegates to attend the Southern District Convention in Santa Barbara but were unable to attend due to insufficient funds. 

Charter Members – Mary Jane McLennon, Grace (Temple) Welsh, Dana Tarole, Neande C. Withers, Hetwick Hickman, Pauline Stein, Myrtle Graves, Lillian Ericson, Jesse Ogglesby, Cora B. Ledbetter,
W. E. Bruce, Kathleen Smale, Grace Temple, Nella Kraushaar, Rachael Pierce, Electra Anderson, Hannah E. Craine, Lylian P. Walker, Margaret Moodie, Gracce E. Neall.

In 1941 they gave prizes to High school Students for posters, five dollars for first prize, three dollars for second prize and two dollars for the third prize winner.

October 1941 the Club voted to establish a canteen for the men of the Army and Navy to have a recreation room at the Hermosa Biltmore called the Army and Navy Hospitality Club working with Commanding Officer Hicks from Fort McArthur. Made available for the men in uniform would be magazines, books, radio, games, puzzles and music and other facilities available. 

Other South Bay clubs were asked to join in this project and many clubs such as Sandpiper Club, American Legion, Coordinating Council, PV Women’s Club, Lion’s Club, Mayor of Manhattan Beach, Dicken’s Fellowship Club. This room was created on October 16th, previous to the attack on Pearl Harbor. March 6, 1943, room at the Hermosa Biltmore would no longer be available so they had to find another place, so dances were being held at the Neptunian Club in Manhattan Beach.

The Club had attendees at their 46th Assembly District meeting in Hawthorne and the Club was very active with their Assembly District. They had a donation box to carry out their work for the Service Club work.

Bylaws were developed by their parliamentarian and another member. They were asked to bring a can of food for their Christmas giving. They hosted an Armistice Ball with a twenty-piece colorful band for a thousand guests. December 22, 1941, a Christmas party was planned at the Hermosa Biltmore.

Their first meeting had speaker Sydney Laughlin talking about keeping humor and laughter in their lives, urging them to keep up their work irrespective of party, not criticizing the administration. He stated, “Remember the Constitution and keep this country a Republic – a two party system. Have courage, initiative, and intelligence.”

The State President of California Council of Republican Women spoke of her trip to Washington, DC. The balance announced in their financial account for February 1942 was $9.34

In April 1942 they submitted a change to their bylaws for membership for a dollar a year instead of fifty cents a year; it was approved at their June meeting. The speaker was from the D A’s office speaking on “Women in Defense.” Forty women had been trained for the sheriff’s office. The Red Cross handles cases after a catastrophe and civilians must protect themselves, the communities should provide Block Mothers, have a casualty center where blankets can be secured with stretchers and first aid supplies. Each house should have a first aid kit, bucket of sand, shovel and 50 feet of hose as well a kit packed in case of evacuation containing a blanket, change of clothing, food for at least 24 hours for each person. Also, a mobile canteen to feed air raid wardens. He stated, “The fear of the unknown is greater than fear of what actually happens.”

July 16th, 1942, Mrs. Margaret Moodie lit the birthday candle and wished “a long, happy, and successful year for the South Bay Club of Republican Women.” 

1953: NFWRC became the National Federation Republican Women (NFRW). 

1954: CCRW became the California Federation of Republican Women CFRW. 

1981: The Scholarship Program was established in 1981 as the Julie McIver Scholarship for Graduating Seniors and Community College Students.

1988: On June 9, 1988, members were invited to the South Bay Republican Women Federated to The Holiday Inn in Torrance for the 50th Anniversary Celebration. 

2013: On June 15th, 2013, our Diamond Jubilee Celebration was held at the Torrance Doubletree hotel.

2018: Our 80th birthday celebration was held in 2018, also at the Torrance Doubletree hotel.2019: Many of our members have held leadership positions with Los Angeles County Federation of Republican Women which celebrated their 96th Anniversary and final meeting December 4, 2019 with guest speaker, Pat Boone. That same year, CFRW Southern Division RWF, also had their final meeting with Ronald Reagan’s son, Michael as their speaker.
 

2020: South Bay RWF celebrated the 100th Centennial of Women's Suffrage during a Zoom Member Meeting (due to CA Covid restrictions) with officers dressing in Suffrage colors for the occasion. A scripted play was presented by four of the Board members on Women’s Suffrage.

2023: In December 2023 the Joint Board of Directors for 2023 & 2024 voted unanimously to become independent of CFRW and NFRW. 

At the January meeting the membership voted unanimously to stand on their own as an independent club. After much work the club completed its separation process on February 22nd and became the South Bay Republican Women. The club will be holding its first inaugural meeting on March 14, 2024.