Our Women's Club is Growing

My Thoughts on Four Years as PWRC President

By Julie Krieger

It is an honor to share my thoughts on the past four years as president of a fantastic conservative women’s group in Montgomery County, the Potomac Women’s Republican Club (PWRC). I have been on the board of the PWRC for ten years during which there have been many changes. 

What has not changed is the passion and dedication of the club officers, executive board and members. We have created yearly events, helped at the polls, tried to get our world-class Republican candidates elected, testified at hearings and volunteered for everything! 

Founded in 1958, the PWRC is a grassroots political organization, bringing women together in order to positively impact the direction of our nation. Over the years, we have strengthened the Republican Party by recruiting, training and electing candidates; advocating the Party’s philosophy and initiatives; and empowering women of all ages, ethnicities and backgrounds in the political process.

Here are some specific ways that the PWRC has made a difference in Montgomery County:

 We created the PWRC-Jean Roesser Scholarship, given yearly to a high school junior or senior for college expenses

 We are sponsors of and participants in the Women’s Legislative Briefing

 We presented our first annual Woman of the Year award in December, 2019

 Our club supports our military veterans, the homeless, women, children, and students 

 We have been continuously operating for 62 years, no small feat in liberal Montgomery County!

I am also truly amazed at how fearless some of our members are when they testify for or against legislation, or put their heart and soul into running for office.

Our membership has increased and in December, our annual holiday luncheon attendance tripled.  This is exciting progress!  I am passionate about welcoming new members into our group, alleviating the isolation which so many conservatives encounter in this area, while informing them of critical legislation pending and ways in which to become involved in the election process and our club.  

One more thing: This year we are celebrating the 100th anniversary of the 19 th Amendment, the Women’s Right to Vote.  Brave and determined women fought for the vote and their freedom for over 70 years, and faced brutal prison guards and terrible living conditions in order to secure change.  What an inspiring legacy they have left us. We need to follow in their footsteps. They did not hide, and nor can we!  During the past four years, legislation in our state and county has become more extreme, from blatant sanctuary policies to social engineering in our schools.   As supporters of President Trump, we are ridiculed and, at times, violently attacked. This must end. 

I encourage Republican women, and men, to keep moving forward to make Montgomery County a stronger, safer place in which to live, one that reflects our conservative values.  Individually, we can branch out and try something new several times a year; testify at hearings or commit to getting signatures on a petition.  Do something completely uncomfortable - run for president of your club, accept a leadership role or run for office in your district!   There will be so many members from PWRC, the other Republican Clubs, and the MCGOP to stand beside you and offer support, as we have been supporting each other since that very first PWRC meeting in April, 1958, when our club was formed to elect more Republicans. 

I am incredibly proud of the PWRC, who we are and all that we have accomplished.   It was my privilege to serve as president for four years and I am excited to see what the future may hold!