On Satuday April 24th, the MFRW Spring Board of Directors and members met IN PERSON at the Richlin Ballroom in Harford County. This was our first NOT VIRTUAL meeting in over a year! Social distancing and mask wearing was observed but everyone who attended was thrilled to be back among their MFRW sisters from across the State!
The day kicked off with a welcome message from County Executive (and newly announce Maryland Comptroller candidate) Barry Glassman. And then the ladies took over and the rest of the day was all about our great Republican Women!
In addition to our official MFRW business and reports from our Standing and Special Committees, we were treated to many great speakers.
Delegate Lauren Arikan (LD7) gave us a wrap up from the 2021 Legislative Session hitting a few of the “low lights” that were adopted during this session that was only supposed to deal with the most pressing COVID-related issues and instead turned into another progressive power grab and spending spree.
Secretary of Commerce and newly announced Gubernatorial Candidate Kelly Schulz was our lunch speaker. She shared a little about what is happening in the State concerning business and the Coronavirus. And she answered questions about her vision for the future of the State.
WBAL Radio Host (and former Congressional candidate) Yuripzy Morgan told us about her new project, Your Maryland, and the importance of Fair Redistricting in Maryland.
Maryland Attorney Gordana Schifanelli spoke about the importance of fighting for our children and their education. She shared some of her experiences growing up under communism.
Former Delegate candidate Stacie MacDonald was supposed to join us to tell us about a new PAC (STRIVE I believe) she is starting to help Republican Women candidates in our State at the Legislative and local levels but was unable due to health issues. So instead, she sent the only other gentleman who spoke with us, Paul Ellington, who told us he’s very used to “taking orders” from strong Republican women throughout the years and was thrilled to be with us that day.
And the day ended with a panel discussion about race, diversity, and commumnication led by MDGOP 1st Vice Chair and Black Republican Council Chair Nicole Bennett. Her op-ed “Welcome Home” was the starting point for the discussion. Harford County Delegate candidate Shekinah Hollingsworth and “Pop and Politics” co-host Evie Harris joined Nicole for the panel sharing their thoughts on this topic.
A whole lot of information crammed into a few short hours….but just about everyone left saying that it was time well spent and were glad they had attended!