Our History
Republican women clubs began to form in the early 1900s, following a concerted effort on the part of the Republican National Committee (RNC). Mrs. J. Ellen Foster, the first woman to practice law before the U.S. Supreme Court, visited the Western part of the country at the request of the RNC Chairman. She talked to women about getting involved in Republican politics. D. Minnie Howard of Pocatello accompanied her. In August of 1904, they called a meeting of Republican Women in Idaho and elected officers. This formed the first club of women voters in the State.
The National Federation of Republican Women (NFRW) was founded in Chicago in 1938. Idaho’s terrain made if difficult to maintain contact among clubs. Therefore, Idaho did not have enough fully organized clubs to make it possible to be federated until after 1943. The Nez Perce County Republican Women’s Club was established on April 29, 1943 and then the Idaho Federation of Republican Women (IFRW) was founded in 1944. Hazel Stone Shook, of Lewiston, was the IFRW founding President. She was a native of Pocatello.
The IFRW currently has two districts and 18 clubs.
Click here to view the history of the IFRW and click here to view the past list of IFRW Presidents.
Tracey Wasden has been a Conservative Republican since the age of 12. She remembers coming home from school and announcing that she was a Republican which was interesting growing up in Ketchum and Hailey, Idaho. Tracey attended Idaho Girls State and graduated from Wood River High School in Hailey. She graduated from Ricks College with a Pre-law degree in 1980 and served as an intern in the Idaho State Legislature. Tracey and Lawrence were married that same year. They both graduated from BYU in 1982 with degrees in Political Science and moved to Moscow for Lawrence to attend law school at the University of Idaho. After graduation, Tracey and Lawrence moved their young family to Caldwell where Lawrence worked as a Canyon County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney andTracey helped Lawrence run for precinct committeeman. Lawrence went on to be the Canyon County Central Committee Chairman and later ran for and elected Attorney General. Tracey successfully ran each of his campaigns. Tracey has successfully run 10 statewide campaigns and, as well as providing advice and assistance to other statewide campaigns. She was awarded the Canyon County Outstanding Republican of the year award in 2018. Tracey is currently the Canyon County Republican Women’s President and the 2nd Vice President of the state Republican Women. She works hard to help elect good republicans around this great state. Tracey is the mother of 4 wonderful children and the grandmother of 10 amazing little people.
Cindy also has worked as the Executive Director for the U.S. Congressional Award Council in Idaho where she worked with the offices of Senator Larry Craig, Senator Mike Crapo, Congressman Mike Simpson and Congressman Bill Sali, She has also worked as a business manager and most importantly a mother and community volunteer.
Some of Cindy’s volunteer work includes: Serve Idaho: Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism (2008 - 2014) Wood River Valley Local Emergency Planning Committee (2005 - Present) Special Olympics (2009 & 2014) Boy Scouts of America (1991 - Present) Girl Scouts of Silver Sage Council (1997 - Present) United States Congressional Award (2005 - Present) American Red Cross (2003 - 2005)
Other Honors and Awards Cindy has received are: National Inspiration Award, U.S. Congressional Award Advisor of the Year, Congressional Award Council of Idaho Silver Beaver, Boy Scouts of America Snake River Council Outstanding Volunteer, Girl Scouts of Silver Sage Council Service Unit #21 First Lady’s Choice - Governor’s Brightest Star for Castle Rock Fire Ketchum/Sun Valley Chamber of Commerce Volunteer of the Year President’s Volunteer Service Lifetime Award (4000+ hours)
Darlene has lived in Lewiston since 1956. She is a self employed independent contractor with Signature HomeStyles (50 years)and Tupperware (10 years). She also does taxes during tax season. Born in Indiana to a Republican family. Her Grandfather was County Chairman of the Shelby County Republican party in Indiana until his death.
Her husband Paul, of almost 50 years, was involved in Republican politics until his death in 2016 and she became involved with the Nez Perce County Republican Women's Club as their Treasurer, Secretary and as a past President. She is currently their Secretary. She is also the past IFRW 1st District Co-Director. She is also Precinct committeeman for precinct 10 in Nez Perce County.
She raised Paul's 3 children from the ages of 10, 12, and 14. They have given her 6 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. She graduated from Lewiston High School and attended LCSC, CWU, and WSU. She volunteered at the Snake River Community Clinic for many years. She loves karaoke and was part of a group that went to the care centers in Lewiston and Clarkston and sang. Since COVID, this group is missed by many of our fans and we miss putting smiles on their faces.
Darlene is dedicated to doing her best fro the IFRW as Treasurer.
Charlene Matheson
Maxine Bell began what would become a lengthly career in the politics as a precinct committeeman. She served for ten years in a job she loved, handing pamphlets out at parades and the county fairs, visiting about issues , and getting the citizens out to vote,were activities she felt were important to our state. She decided to run for a district office in 1988 and won the first of what would be Fifteen terms. The first term was an opportunity to learn the process and come to love it. There were no offices so much time was spent on the floor desk phone fielding questions from home. In fact, she had no morning committee to attend either. That slow pace would change when she was appointed to JFAC in her second term. That began twenty eight years of serving as one of the budget watchdogs over the hard earned taxes the citizens pay for state services. Prior to the public service, Maxine served the state and American Farm Bureau with many opportunities to visit farm women in foreign countries and help their efforts to have a voice in the political process. Maxine and Jack are retired row-crop farmers. They have one son, Jeff who lives in Idaho Falls, and three grown grandchildren and spouses scattered across the United States.
Char Tovey