BULL RUN
REPUBLICAN
WOMEN’S
CLUB
THE BRIDGE NEWSLETTER
March 2016
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
PRESIDENT’S CORNER
“We are either a United people, or we are not. If the former, let us, in all matters of general concern
act as a nation, which have national objects to promote, and a national character to support. If we
are not, let us no longer act a farce by pretending to it“
George Washington in a letter to James Madison, 1785
Are we a united people still? Have Americans become so polarized that national unity is no longer
possible? Is it a farce, as Washington said, to continue to pretend to be a united people?
Our future depends upon unity in our people. We must continue to act as a united country, even if unity
may be a farce in these turbulent times. Indeed, if we do not at least act as a united people, what then
would hold us together? It is far too late in our history to return to 50 independent states, each separate
and apart from the other 49. We must reach out to find common ground.
Obama's expertise has been in the use of “identity politics” and exploiting the differences between us.
Instead of concentrating on what brings all Americans together, he has drawn divisions based on race,
ethnicity, religion, gender, political ideology, and every other category one can possibly imagine. At this,
he has been pure genius. His “divide and conquer” mission has succeeded beyond even his wildest
dreams. After decades of steady progress in race relations, it is now considered racist to believe that all
lives matter. Christians are advised to “get off their high horse.” The poor have been repeatedly told that
their situation exists solely because the “rich fat cats” are greedy, and care nothing about them. The “top
1%,” after contributing forty percent of the federal income, are publicly pilloried for not paying their “fair
share.”
Our challenge is great. After seven years of Obama, we Republicans, (those “evil fat cats” you keep
hearing about) just keep getting richer and richer, and kick the poor man to the curb, letting him starve in
the streets. We bar the polling places against Blacks, Latinos, poor people, young people and the disabled,
allowing only rich, white, Christians to cast a vote.
We peek in bedroom windows to make sure everyone stays on the straight and narrow, and tiptoe into
homes to flush birth control pills down the toilet. As we cling to our Bibles in one hand, and our guns in
the other, we pray for dirty air and water. Or so some believe.
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Of course, this is pure nonsense, but that does not mean it is not the way we are perceived. The leading
Democratic contender would certainly continue with the divisions Obama exploited, along with his
policies and his use of Executive Orders to create law. Obama's secrecy and belief that the rules don't
apply to him would pale in comparison to Hillary's in the event she is our next President.
There is only one way to change this perception and restore constitutional limits on the presidency: win
the White House and thus win the Bully Pulpit. This we cannot do if the divisions among Republicans are
as stark as the divisions between the two parties.
While unity in the country remains elusive, we must at least find unity within our political party. We
spend more time disagreeing with each other than we do with the Democrats, which will surely lead to
our demise if it continues. It is time to once again unify as the Republican Party. As in every other
election, we have Republicans who adamantly believe that their preferred candidate (and only that
candidate!) should be elected. Soon, we will have chosen our party's nominee. It is therefore essential
that we come together to support the nominee - even if it turns out to be our second, third, or twelfth
choice.
I truly believe our country is at a tipping point. We teeter between the America we know and the
European-style America that the Democrats seek. I believe another Democratic administration following
the eight Obama years would push us irretrievably toward a fiscal crisis due to our ever-increasing debt.
The welfare-state and socialist ideals would expand beyond our capacity to rein it in down the road.
While every election matters, this one may be the most important in your lifetime, as it will determine
whether or not we actually fall of the precarious cliff where we now find ourselves.
It will take a Republican Administration for millennials to see that capitalism really does provide more
opportunity than socialism. Only with a Republican in office can we use the natural resources God
provided for our benefit. Only with a Republican president will we retain the freedoms the Founders so
carefully itemized in the Bill of Rights.
This November, if you need to hold your nose to support the eventual Republican nominee, so be it.
Staying home is only an option if you wish to slip over the edge of that cliff with no parachute to soften
our fall. Only if we elect a Republican candidate, can we then work toward coming together as a country.
At this point in our history, we desperately need a president who can unite all of us – democrats,
republicans, independents. No matter what race, ethnicity, political party or religion, we must remember
that we are all Americans.
In 1858, Abraham Lincoln faced a country as starkly divided as we are today. His words, so true then,
could be applied to today, but only if we unite as a party:
“...agitation has not only, not ceased, but has constantly augmented. In my opinion, it will not
cease, until a crisis shall have been reached, and passed. 'A house divided against itself cannot
stand....' The result is not doubtful. We shall not fail -- if we stand firm, we shall not fail.”
Abraham Lincoln, June 16, 1858, Springfield, Illinois, Republican State Convention
Jan
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Bull Run Republican Women Elected
Chairmen of Local Republican
Committees!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Next Meeting
Renewing Membership
BRRWC Members Elected Chairs
of Local Republican Committees
Ardeen Nickisch Appointed 2nd VP
Republican Women’s Federal Forum
American History Parade
Women’s History Month
Members in Action
2016 Officers
2016 Committee Assignments
Personally Speaking
Upcoming Electoral Dates to Know
Calendar
Websites
Membership Application
Fashion Show Flyer
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Congratulations go out to Dottie Miller who
was elected at the new Chairman of the Prince
William County Republican Committee at the
County Convention, March 5th! We are so
excited to have our Immediate Past President
utilize her amazing people and organizational
skills as she leads us to Victory this Fall!
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NEXT MEMBERSHIP MEETING
Thursday, May 19, 2016
Eggspectation
6 p.m. meet for dinner (come when you can)
7:30 for business
MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL
Haven’t renewed your membership yet?
Unfortunately we have to remove any
unrenewed memberships as of March 31st. So
get your renewal information in as soon as
possible.
The City of Manassas Republican Committee
has re-elected Chairman Sharon Ashurst, (who
also serves as BRRWC 1st Vice President).
As a Club we know that these two women have
the passion, energy and dedication to our
Republican principles that will lead us in our
effort to turn Virginia not just RED, but
MAGENTA!
New members are always welcome, so please
encourage your Republican friends to come
“party” with us.
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Ardeen Nickisch Appointed 2nd VP
AMERICAN HISTORY PARADE -Debbie Weber
Congratulations to Ardeen Nickisch, our new
2nd Vice President! Ardeen was appointed to
fill the vacancy left by the resignation of Dottie
Miller. While Dottie remains an active
member of the club, she resigned as 2nd VP
after her election as Chair of the Prince
William County Republican Committee.
MARCH 2
Sam Houston is born near Lexington VA 1793.
Congress outlaws the importation of slaves in
1807.
MARCH 3
“The Star-Spangled Banner” is adopted as the
national anthem in 1931.
MARCH 4
The U.S. Constitution goes into effect as the
first session of Congress meets in New York
City.
MARCH 9
The first battle between two iron clad ships,
the Union Monitor and the Confederate
Virginia (formerly the Merrimack), takes place
at Hampton Roads, Virginia in 1862.
The Executive Committee is excited to have
Ardeen as a member of the Committee.
Ardeen was inducted in a brief ceremony on
March 17, 2016. Ardeen will enhance the
Executive Committee, bringing a new
perspective. Every member of the Executive
Committee wants to extend a warm welcome
to Ardeen.
MARCH 16
James Madison, the fourth U.S. president, is
born in Port Conway, Virginia in 1751.
MARCH 21
Pocahontas, who died just before she was to
begin her return voyage to Virginia, is buried
in Gravesend, England in 1617.
THE REPUBLICAN WOMEN'S FEDERAL
FORUM – Judy Colucci
Thomas Jefferson takes office as America’s
first secretary of state in 1790.
The Republican Women's Federal Forum
meets the Second Thursday of each month at
The Capitol Hill Club in Washington D.C. They
have wonderful speakers (senators and
congressman) and important political people
such as Mrs. Huckabee and Mrs.
Romney. They serve a lovely lunch beginning
approximately 11 am and usually over by 2
pm. There is a $60 yearly membership fee and
they notify you each month of who the speaker
will be. Then you send in your reservation for
the lunch with your $30 check. If you are not a
member, you can go with a member. The cost
is $35. Always a great day!
MARCH 23
Patrick Henry delivers his “Liberty or Death”
speech in Richmond, Virginia in 1775.
MARCH 25
Robert E. Lee orders his last attack of the Civil
War against Fort Steadman, near Petersburg,
Virginia in 1865.
MARCH 29
John Tyler, the tenth U.S. president, is born in
Charles City County, Virginia in 1790.
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MARCH 30
Dr. Telkes was a Psychiatrist in addition to
being a Solar-Power Pioneer
President Reagan is seriously wounded after
being shot by John W Hinckley, Jr. outside a
Washington D.C. hotel.
6. The Medical Syringe
From “The American Patriot’s Almanac Daily Readings on
America” By William J Bennett and John T.E. Cribb
The medical syringe which could be operated
with only one hand was invented by a woman
by the name of Letitia Geer in 1899
March is Women’s History Month
7. The Modern Electric Refrigerator
Meg Desmedt
The electric refrigerator was invented by
Florence Parpart in 1914.
We have all heard that necessity is the mother
of invention, and the following women prove
that adage. They not only invented products
that make our every day lives easier, but their
inventions also make our lives safer, and have
been the precursors to many technologies that
are booming today.
(Florence also invented an improved street
cleaning machine in addition to the
refrigerator)
8. The Ice Cream Maker
The ice cream maker was invented by a
woman named Nancy Johnson in 1843. Her
patented design is still used today!
1. The Car Heater
We all owe our thanks to Margaret A Wilcox
who invented the car heater in 1893!
9. The Computer Algorithm
(Margaret also invented a combined clothes
and dishwasher)
Ada Lovelace is essentially the first computer
programmer due to her work with Charles
Babbage at the University of London in 1842.
2. Monopoly
In fact her notes were an essential key to
helping Alan Turing’s work on the first
modern computers in the 1940s.
This popular board game was designed by
Elizabeth Magie in 1904, originally called the
Landlord’s Game. The purpose of this game
was to expose the injustices of unchecked
capitalism. Her game was ripped off by
Charles Darrow who sold it to Parker Brother’s
30 years later. However Parker Brothers later
paid Elizabeth $500 for her game. Gee Thanks!
10. Telecommunications Technology
Some of the Telecommunication Technology
developed by Dr. Shirley Jackson include
portable fax, touch tone telephone, solar cells,
fibre optic cables, and the technology behind
caller ID and call waiting.
3. The Fire Escape
The fire escape was invented by Anna Connelly
in 1887
11. The Dishwasher
The lifesaving Life Raft was invented by Maria
Beasely in 1882. (Maria also invented a
machine that makes barrels)
The Dishwasher was invented by Josephine
Cochrane in 1887. Before her time, she even
marketed her machine to hotel owners and
even opened her own factory without the help
of a man!
5. Residential Solar Heating
12. Wireless Transmission Technology
Solar heating for residential housing was
invented by Dr Maria Telkes in 1947.
Hedy Lamarr, a world famous film star,
invented a secret communications system
during World War II for radio-controlling
4. The Life Raft
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torpedoes. This Technology also paved the
way for everything from Wi-Fi to GPS
manufactured. Her idea was the first that
allowed for using natural gas to heat a home,
inspiring the central heating systems used
today
13. Closed-Circuit Television Security (CCTV)
Marie Van Brittan Brown invented CCTV
because of the slow response of police officers
in 1969 to help people ensure their own
security. This invention influenced modern
CCTV systems used for home security and
police work today.
16. Kevlar
This life-saving material that is 5 times
stronger than steel and used to make
bulletproof vests was invented in 1965 by
Stephanie Kwolek.
14. The Modern Paper Bag
17. Computer Software
Margaret Knight invented a machine that
makes square bottomed paper bags in 1871.
She almost didn’t get credit when Charles
Anan tried to steal her work claiming that it
wasn’t possible for a woman to create this
brilliant invention. (Margaret also invented a
safety device for cotton mills when she was
12… that invention is still being used today)
Dr. Grace Murray Hopper was a computer
scientist that invented COBOL which is the
first user-friendly business computer software
system in the 1940’s. She was also a Rear
Admiral in the U.S. Navy and the first person to
use the term “bug” in reference to a glitch in a
computer system when she literally found a
bug (moth) causing problems with her
computer.
15. Central Heating
So who said it's a man's world?
Although Alice Parker’s invention in 1919 of a
gas powered central heater was never
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MEMBERS IN ACTION
Dottie Miller with new Occoquan
Supervisor, Ruth Anderson, at the
BOCS Swearing in Ceremony
Club Members, Sharon Ashurst, Mary Jo Rigby,
Meg Desmedt, Jacquie Meeks, Robyn Candland,
Jan Burch and Jan Campbell singing “God Bless
America” at the Lincoln Reagan Dinner
Dottie Miller with VFRW President,
Linda Bartlett and PWC Clerk of
Court, Michele McQuigg
Mary Jo Rigby donating “The
Remarkable Ronald Reagan” to
the new Gainesville Library
Mary Jo Rigby, ,John Guiffre, John
Stirrup, Shawn & Michaela Landry at the
Lincoln Reagan Dinner
Jan Burch, Dottie Miller, Sharon Ashurst
and Debbie Weber at VFRW Legislative
Day in Richmond
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2016 OFFICERS
OFFICE
NAME
HOME
CELL
___________________________________________________________________________________
President
Jan Burch
703-753-8435 / 703-975-2356
1st VP (Programs)
Sharon Ashurst
703-369-0552 / 703-220-4947
2nd VP (Membership)
Ardeen Nickisch
703-754-3810
Recording Secretary
Meg Desmedt
703-754-0694 / 703-987-5567
Corresponding Secretary
Debbie Weber
703-361-1513
Treasurer
Bonnie Ippoliti
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Immediate Past President
Dottie Miller
571-781-2150/ 703-628-5714
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---------
703-678-9656
2016 BRRWC COMMITTEE CHAIRS
STANDING COMMITTEES
HOME
CELL
Bylaws
Mary Jo Rigby
703-754-7862
703-203-3945
Campaign
Carol Fox
703-743-2189
703-507-4171
Finance
Bonnie Ippoliti
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703-678-9656
Historian
Debbie Weber
703-361-1513
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Legislation
Martha Hendley
703-754-4181
703-966-5613
Public Relations
Debbie Weber
703-361-1513
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Membership
Ardeen Nickisch
703-628-5714
Programs
Sharon Ashurst
703-369-0552
703-220-4947
SPECIAL COMMITTEES
Chaplain
Ilma Striker
703-754-7515
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Newsletter
Meg Desmedt
703-754-0694
703-987-5567
Homeland Security
Sharon Ashurst
703-369-0552
703-220-4947
Parliamentarian
Meg Desmedt
703-754-0694
703-987-5567
Achievement Awards
Debbie Weber
703-361-1513
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Americanism
Maria Burgos
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571-435-5271
Fund Raising
Bonnie Ippoliti
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703-678-9656
Debbie Bowers
703-753-4238
571-991-7843
Hospitality
Pat Johnson
703-754-7611
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Literacy
Debbie Bowers
703-753-4238
571-991-7843
Community Service
Lesley Salman
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703-505-7400
Scholarships
Mary Beth Schaal
703-753-4292
540-270-7213
Debbie Bowers
703-753-4238
571-991-7843
Mary Jo Rigby
703-754-7862
703-203-3945
Jan Campbell
703-754-4948
540-522-4411
FASHION SHOW
Coordinator
Decorations
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PERSONALLY SPEAKING
Debbie Bowers’ grandmother passed away on March 17th. Our sympathies to Debbie and her
family.
Ilma Striker undergoing dialysis.
Meg Desmedt’s first granddaughter! Coralie Elizabeth Desmedt joined her three older brothers
on March 5th!
MARCH BIRTHDAYS
Congratulations to Ilma Striker, Meg Desmedt and Pat Johnson as they celebrate birthdays this month!
Email me ([email protected]) with important, exciting and/or fun events in your life – trips will not be mentioned
until after your return. I would also love to get copies of your pictures for the newsletter, as well as our FB page and
Website.
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CALENDAR
April 9
33rd Annual Fashion Show
Brass Cannon Country Club
11 am
April 16
10th Congressional District Convention
Stone Bridge High School (Ashburn)
April 22-24
VFRW Convention
Hilton Hotel
Tyson’s Corner
April 29-30
Republican Party of Virginia Convention
James Madison University (Harrisonburg)
May 7
1st Congressional District Convention
James Monroe High School (Fredericksburg)
May 14
11th Congressional District Convention
Centreville High School (Clifton)
May 19
Membership Meeting
Eggspectation
Speaker TBA
6 pm (and on) Dinner
7:30 pm Meeting
June 4
Annual Garden Party
Jean and Bill Robinson’s Home
Berkeley Dr.
Haymarket, VA
June 14
Congressional Primary if needed.
Barbara Comstock will need your vote in this Primary.
September 15
September Membership Meeting
October 20
October Membership Meeting
November 8
General Election. You will vote for the next President and
your Congressional Representative.
November 17
November Membership Meeting
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WEBSITES
“Control + Click” on links for contact information.
Bull Run Republican Women's Club
Virginia Federation of Republican Women
National Federation of Republican Women
Republican National Committee
RNC – Women
Republican Party of Virginia
Prince William County Republican Committee
Manassas City Republican Committee
Manassas Park Republican Committee
Republicans in Congress
PWC School Board
Prince William BOCS
Manassas City Mayor and City Council
VA Delegates
VA Senators
VA Governor Email
Like us on Facebook – Bull Run Republican Women
Reminder:
Please keep a record of your campaign hours. You can use the sheet on our Web Site www.bullrunrepublicanwomen.com
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