Republican Women

The Republican Party was the vanguard in relation to women. In 1917, Jeannette Rankin, a Montana Republican, became the first woman to serve in the House. Committed to her pacifist beliefs, she was the only member of Congress to vote against

entry into both World War I and World War II. Shortly after Ms. Rankin's election to Congress, the 19th Amendment was passed in 1919. The amendment's journey to ratification had been a long and difficult one. Starting in 1896, the Republican Party became the first major party to officially favor women's suffrage. That year, Republican Sen. A. A. Sargent of California introduced a proposal in the Senate to give women the right to vote. When the Republican Party regained control of Congress, the Equal Suffrage Amendment was finally passed, granting women electoral rights in 1919.

Republicans' Principles and Beliefs

As stated above, the Republicans remain staunch supporters of the principles of a laissez-faire state.

 

Republicans believe:

• the strength of the nation lies with the individual and that each person's dignity,

Freedom, ability and responsibility must be honoured.

• equal rights, equal justice and equal opportunity for all, regardless of race,

Creed, sex, age or disability must be strictly observed.

• free enterprise and encreasing individual initiative have brought the nation

Opportunity, economic growth and prosperity.

• that government must practice fiscal responsibility and allow individuals to keep

More of the money they earn.

• that the proper role of government is to provide for the people only those critical

Functions that cannot be performed by individuals or private organizations,

And that the best government is that which governs least.

• that the most effective, responsible and responsive government is government

Closest to the people.

• that Americans must retain the principles that have made the nation strong while

Developing new and innovative ideas to meet the challenges of changing times.

• that Americans value and should preserve the national strength and pride while