he "Republican Women of Henry County" was chartered in 2002 by a small but energetic group of ladies of the Henry County Republican Party Committee, and led by Lynn Wenner. Prior to that time, the organization known as "Henry County Republican Women" existed and served the community for many years.

The RWHC has been involved in numerous activities since its reorganization. In the County Commissioner Chairman's race of 2004, where six Republicans vied for the party nomination, the RWHC held the first Henry County Campaign Forum, which was attended by all six candidates. The RWHC held two more Campaign forums: one as a joint effort with the Henry County Republican Party for state legislatives candidates in Senate District 17 and Congressional Districts 109 and 110, and a third--the county's final Campaign Forum, including the Republican primary's runoff candidates, from County Commissioner to State candidates to US Congressional candidates Lynn Westmoreland and Dylan Glenn.

Also noteworthy was the involvement of individual members in campaigns. RWHC members Melody Mena and BJ Mathis ran for District 2 Commissioner, with BJ the ultimate victor. Associate member Bill McLeer, along with two other Republicans, also competed for that district's Republican nomination. Associate Member Jim Cox, assisted by member Kitty Cox, worked diligently to try to unseat incumbent Henry County Sheriff Donald Chaffin, in office since 1982.

All members worked aggressively behind the scenes during the campaign, helping voters, candidates and party leaders such as Associate Member Jim Henry, Jr. Under Jim's leadership, this campaign cycle included the opening of the first-ever county Republican Headquarters, which was well used, and genuinely helpful to voters in the county. Three RWHC ladies attended the GOP Convention in NYC in November, one as a delegate, and two as guests. During the President's acceptance speech, there were at least two convention parties back in Henry County.

In addition to campaign activities, our group had two literacy projects. The first, known as Adopt-A-Book, helped provide age appropriate civics books for the libraries of newer public schools in the county. The second, based on an existing program known as the Dictionary Project, was a resounding success, as over 2500 dictionaries were presented to each 3rd grade student, teacher, elementary school principal and media specialist, in the county. This dictionary of over 500 pages included complete reprints of the Declaration of Independence and US Constitution, and these pivotal documents were introduced in every 3rd grade public school classroom in the county. The group plans to continue the tradition for the 2005-2006 school year.

In addition to campaign activities and projects, the RWHC provided several opportunities for educating its members and the community. Among our many speakers were award winning columnist and author Phil Kent, GA Federation of Republican Women President Valerie Betz, GA GOP 2nd Vice Chair Carolyn Garcia, and radio and TV personality, and author Herman Cain, numerous local Republicans in office, and others knowledgable in politics and government.