We are dedicated to promoting the values and principles of the Republican Party in Garrett County, Maryland. Our mission is to engage with the community, support Republican candidates, and uphold conservative ideals.
CONTRIBUTING TO OUR COMMUNITY
We volunteer and contribute to community
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Dove Center & Garrett Mentors
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College scholarships
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High School Events
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Lunch for police/sheriff departments
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Reading to students in schools
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INFORMING OUR COMMUNITY
We stay informed about legislation and influence outcome
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Red Scarf Day in Annapolis
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Emails to state representatives
We stimulate involvement in the Republican political system
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Public meetings about conservative stance on issues
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Mailings to newly registered Republican/ unaffiliated voters
2025 NFRW Diamond Award
Awards - 2025 Maryland Shield Award and Greatest
Increase in Membership for a large Club
SERVING OUR COMMUNITY
We assist in electing Republican candidates
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Information at HQ, county fair, and other venues
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Electioneering at polls, door-knocking, phone calls
EDUCATING OUR COMMUNITY
We assist in creating an informed electorate
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Sharing of information on candidates/issues
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Attendance at local/state/national meetings​
We educate in a variety of ways
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Human trafficking projects/displays
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Women’s Equality Day project
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Book donations to Ruth Enlow Library
President, Patty Hammond, Vice-President, Melita Friend, Treasurer, Rita Watson, Asst. Treasurer, Liz Morin, Secretary, Lisa Welch
Upcoming Events
Meeting Reminder, February 18, 2026
Pine Lodge Steakhouse, McHenry
4:30 p.m. Social Hour, order dinner by 5:30 p.m. Meeting at 6 p.m.
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Kate Sullivan, Election Integrity
SECURE THE VOTE MD ALERT!!! Due to inclement weather, Secure the Vote Act Lobby Day January 27 has been postponed. NEW DATE: 9am, Wednesday, February 4th. Stay safe everyone and see you on 2/4!!
RED SCARF DAY
Event Date
March 3, 2026 9:30 am
Red Scarf Day in Annapolis is free for MFRW members – Happy Hour is on your own.
You can join us at any point throughout the day.
Hotel Information — special rate expires on February 3rd
Online Booking: Maryland Federation of Republican Women Room BlockPhone Reservations — (410) 263-2641 — reference Group #300118
Historic Inns of Annapolis has multiple locations in and around State Circle. Be sure to request a room at the Governor Calvert House.
REGISTRATION closes on February 23rd. 9:15 a.m. —
- 9:15 Registration opens – Calvert House, 58 State Circle
- 10 -10:45 a.m. – view Legislative Session from the Gallery, tour the State House, or relax at the Calvert House
- 11 a.m. — assemble on Lawyers Mall (weather permitting) for group photo
- 11:30 to 12:30 p.m. Brunch with Republican legislators
- 1-3 p.m. – visit Senate and House office buildings, attend a committee hearing, explore Annapolis, etc.
- 3-5 p.m. — OPTIONAL Happy Hour — The Lodge Annapolis, 177 Jennifer Rd, Annapolis (near the Annapolis Mall)
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Garrett and Allegany County MFRW ladies meet with Senator Mike McKay
NEWS AND EVENTS
GCRWC
Meet the Candidates
Ed Clemons Jr., candidate, House of Delegates 1A
Dan Duggan, candidate House of Delegates 1A
At the January 21, 2026, GCRWC meeting, we heard from three Republican candidates: Ed Clemons, Jr. and Dan Duggan, candidates for the House of Delegates District 1A and Chris Burnett, candidate for Congressional District 6.
Follow our Facebook page to see when additional candidates will be speaking.
Chris Burnett, candidate, Congressional District 6
CONGRATULATIONS!
GCRWC Republican Women of the Year Melita Frend
Melita Friend serves as the Club's Vice President and the Chair of the MFRW Western Region. For 2026, she has also been appointed as the MFRW Membership Chair.
Presenting the award are WOY Committee Chair Lisa Herman (left) and Club President Patty Hammond (right).
Women of the Year Committee Chair Lisa Herman reading the award citation as Melita looks on.
LEGISLATIVE DAY, January 15, 2026
MFRW attendees enjoy lunch at Ram's Head Restaurant
Lisa Herman, GRWC Scholarship Chair, Luanne Ruddell, MFRW President, Patty Hammond, GCRC President
January 10, 2026
MFRW Leadership Conference
A great Leadership Conference! Traveling to Anne Arundel County were (L to R): Liz Morin, Laura Ivkovich, Luanne Ruddell, NFRW 7th District Director Christine Peters, Patty Hammond, Melita Friend and Lyn Strawser. This was the first MFRW event since member Luanne Ruddell took over as President.
GCRWC Annual Book Donation to the Ruth Enlow Library
Promoting education and literacy, the Garrett County Republican Women’s Club recently made its annual book donation to the Ruth Enlow Library. Literacy Chair Lisa Thayer Welch is pictured presenting to Library Director Thomas Vose The President Will See You Now: My Stories and Lessons from Ronald Reagan’s Final Years by Peggy Noonan. Two children’s books were also given: Why America Matters by Dr. Ben Carson and Valerie Pfundstein and The Berenstain Bears God Bless Our Country by Mike Berenstain.These books have all been on the Mamie Eisenhower Library Project listing of the National Federation of Republican Women. In 1961, the NFRW established the Mamie Eisenhower Library Project as a memorial honoring the former Republican First Lady who served for decades as a military wife and prepared the family home for over 30 moves during President Eisenhower’s military service to our country. All Republicans are invited to join the Garrett County Republican Women’s Club, which can be contacted through the Club’s Facebook page.
Maryland Federation of Republican
Women Fall Convention 2025
Congratulations to the 2026-2027 MFRW President, Luanne Ruddell
Madam President with the First Gentleman
2026-2027 MFRW Board
NFRW 43rd Biennial Convention
September 26-28, Orlando, FL
Keynote speaker
Tulsi Gabbard, Director of National Intellengence
Florida Governor
Ron DiSantis
Florida State
Representative
Kat Cammock
Florida State Representative
Byron Donalds
Delegate Luanne Ruddell, Past President, Delegate Lisa Herman, Scholarship chair, with Martha Jenkins, NFRW President, and Delegate Patty Hammond, President,
displaying the Diamond Award and Delegant Melita Friend, Vice President
Maryland Delegation
Grantsville Days, June 27 & 28, 2025
June 14, 2025 Celebrating Flag Day, 250th Anniversary of the U.S. Army and President Trump's Birthday
Congratulations Garrett County Republican Women's Club on Receiving the Maryland Federation of Republican Women Shield Award and the Greatest Percentage Increase in Membership for A Large Club in 2025 Award!!
Ruth Umbel Memorial
Scholarship Award Winners
Patty Hammond, GCRWC President, Brogan Moyer, Southern High School scholarship award winner and Luanne Ruddell, GCRWC Past President.
Lisa Herman, GCRWC Scholarship Committee Chair, Austin Ross, Northern High School scholarship award winner and Patty Hammond.
National Law Enforcement Day, May 15, 2025
GCRWC members, Lisa Welch, Linda Bradley, Janice Layton, Joanne Ashby and Patty Hammond, treated our Garrett County Sheriff’s office and State Highway Patrol to a yummy lunch of pizza, chicken wings, salad, brownies, cookies, and drinks. It was a humbling experience to see our Heroes in Blue so grateful.
McHenry Barracks of the Maryland State Police
Garrett County is incredibly blessed to have these amazing men and women, along with their incredible support staff, who are always there to protect our community. A huge thank you to Garrett County law enforcement for everything you do!
Garrett County, Maryland, Sheriff's Office
Maryland Federation of Republican Women Spring Board, May 17, 2025, Elkton, MD
The venue was a lovely converted barn, nestled in beautiful pastures and wooded areas. The weather was perfect, with bright sunlight and gentle breezes. It was the ideal spot for a meeting and to catch up with other Republican women’s club members across the State!
Patty Hammond, GCRWC President, Luanne Ruddell, MFRW 1st VP, Melita Friend, GCRWC VP and MFRW Western Regional Chair..
Rose Terrace Project
This year, the Garrett County Republican Women’s Club (GCRWC) is pleased to support Rose Terrace, an emergency shelter administered by the Garrett County (GC) Community Action. The program provides temporary shelter to homeless families and individuals residing in GC, enabling them to secure permanent housing while addressing their immediate needs. To qualify, individuals or families must be experiencing homelessness, fleeing domestic violence, or attempting to escape such circumstances.
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Rose Terrace is situated within the Community Action Building and offers a room and bed for 30 to 90 days, serving as a transitional solution for those experiencing homelessness. During this period, tenants are assigned a case manager who provides housing services and assistance in securing affordable permanent housing.
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The GCRWC is actively involved in supporting Rose Terrace by donating essential items for New Client Welcome Kits and Outreach Kits. These kits include toiletries, bedding, towels, infant necessities, laundry detergent, and other necessary supplies. The Outreach Kits are designed to support homeless individuals in the community when shelter availability is limited, and they include mini toiletries, first aid kits, hats, gloves, fast food gift cards, and other practical items.
On April 23, the GCRWC delivered the first quarter of its donations to Rose Terrace and will continue to collect essential items throughout the year. For further information on how you can contribute to the support of Rose Terrace, please contact Shawnee Reynolds or Wendi Rodeheaver at 301-334-941.
L to R, Shawnee Reynolds, Wendi Rodeheaver, Caring for America Chair, Joanne Ashby, Janice Layton, Linda Bradley and Patty Hammond
Red Scarf Day, March 4, 2025
CONTACT
Who We Are
The Garrett County Republican Women's Club is a local organization of Republican Women that is affiliated with the Maryland Federation of Republican Women and National Federation of Republican Women.
Garrett County Republican Women's Club
Meetings
Inquiries
For any inquiries, questions, or comments, please call us at 301-852-1453
Contact Us
Email: patty.hammond@scd-corp.com
We meet the 3rd Wednesday of
every month; host special
events; and attend Maryland
Federation of Republican Women events as well as National Federation of Republican Women Events!
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For locations and times call 301-852-1453