Peoria Standard

When it comes to the importance of having strong women in the world of politics, the Peoria County Republican Women's club is active and aware of that need.

The PCRW is a local organization dedicated to encouraging, promoting and educating Republican women to run for elected office.

The PCRW has a member attendance of more than 100. The club holds a monthly luncheon to discuss needs and issues of the community, often times featuring a guest speaker. 

"Speakers are always officeholders, candidates, or knowledgeable on specific government or political issues.” MaryAlice Erikson, longtime board member of PCRW, said in an interview to the Peoria Standard. “PCRW has an outstanding newsletter which gives detail of the meeting to come, summarizes the last meeting, and has a variety of articles on opportunities for political involvement.”

"If you are a member of Peoria County Republican Women and regularly attend monthly luncheons, you will be kept up-to-date on local, state, and national issues by outstanding speakers from city hall to the governor,” Erikson said. “You will learn about needs in the community and will have opportunities to contribute to organizations like Look, It’s My Book! and Honor Flight.”

Erikson also gave details of PCRW’s history. 

“Over the many years of women involved in politics even before they could vote, Republican women in Peoria had a club,” Erikson said. “The early ones concentrated on gaining the right to vote, following the lead of Republican Susan B. Anthony. After gaining the vote, Republican women organized a club that was very social, met in homes and sometimes public buildings.”

PCRW is currently the largest Republican Women’s organization in Illinois. 

“Membership runs right around 150 and includes men who are associate members,” Erikson said. "PCRW found the right formula: be consistent, stick to politics and communicate regularly with members through monthly newsletters and social media. PCRW meets at the same place, starts on time and finishes on time.”

PCRW is affiliated with the National Federation of Republican Women and the Illinois Federation of Republican Women. The PCRW luncheon is held at every month at the Barrack's Cater Inn in Peoria.