Montana Federation of Republican Women was organized in 1938

The Montana Federation of Republican Women was officially organized under the leadership of Mrs. L. O. Evans, MT GOP National Committeewoman in 1938. However, Republican clubs had been active in the state as early as 1936.

Mrs. Gladys Knowles, who succeeded Mrs. Evans as National Committeewoman served for 24 years. Mrs. Gladys Knowles played an important role for the recognition of our Federation in state politics and for the equal status which women have enjoyed in our Party’s structure.

The Montana Federation in its early years was partially subsidized by the State Central Committee, but now we are self-sustaining. The Montana Federation of Republican Women’s presidents were voting members of the Montana State Central Committee’s Executive Board until 2019 when the MT GOP changed their rules and took off the leaders of all the state-wide Republican entities and all statewide officials off their executive board .

Republican Women have raised thousand of dollars for local and state candidates. They have helped with Central Committee events, volunteer their time working hours on campaigns, “man” Republican headquarters, and run for office themselves.

1938 — Mrs. Lynde Catlin
1940 — Mrs. Raymond Dockery
1942 — Mrs. L. O. Evans (NFRW 4th Vice President from 1945-1946)
1944 — Mrs. J. E. Miller
1945 — Mrs. Harry Gullard
1949 — Mrs. Story Dean
1951 — Mrs. Fred Sanborn
1953 — Mrs. R. H. Weidman
1955 — Mrs. Bertha Weiloff
1959 — Mrs. Ona M. Wright (NFRW Member-at-Large)
1964 — Mrs. Harry Roe
1966 — Mrs. Willard Nash
1968 — Mrs. Bert L. Amsberry (NFRW Chaplain 1971-73)
1972 — Mrs. Stephen A. Birch (NFRW Member-at-Large)
1976 — Mrs. David O. (Maggie) Spear
1980 — Mrs. John W. (Ella Mae) Cromer
1984 — Mrs. Francis (Terry) Mannix
1986 — Judith A. Johnson
1988 — Joan C. Kurtz
1990 — Barbara Ford
1992 — 1995 — Helen Kellicut
1996 — 1997 — Betty Paulsen
1998— 1999 — Carol Lambert
2000 – 2003 — Billie Love
2004 – 2007 — Arla Jeanne Murray (NFRW Chair for Caring for America, Resolution Chair)
2008 – 2009 — Jean W. Bartlett
2010 – 2011 — Beth Cargo
2012 – 2013 — Shirley Herrin
2014 – 2015 — Debra Brown
2016 – 2019 — Heidi Roedel
2020 – 2023 — Shirlee Keffer
2024 – Present — Suzzann Nordwick