HISTORY OF SAVANNAH AREA REPUBLICAN WOMEN
by Ann Everett

The first meeting of the Savannah Area Republican Women (SARW) was held in 1961 at the Regency Room (restaurant) of the Downtowner Motel. Present that day were the founding members: Phyllis Hardeman, Bessie Miltiades, Olga Coolidge and her sister Elsie Coolidge, Mamie Argust, Sara Olive, Marie Withington, Freida Elkins and Rosalind frame. They were very active in the 1962 Republican campaigns and in all campaigns thereafter.

During the 1960's, they worked in the Joe Tribble campaign when he ran for State Senate, the Fletcher Thompson campaign for U. S. Senate, Ronnie Thompson's campaign for Mayor of Macon, and Jimmy Bently's campaign for Georgia Governor. In 1966, Bo Callaway ran for Governor against Lester Maddux. SARW maintained telephone banks eight hours a day for three days trying to get out the vote, but Lester Maddux won when the race was decided by the Democrat Legislature.

During this time, Fran Tarkington, famous quarterback from the University of Georgia, came to support Republican candidates at a rally at Municipal Stadium. In 1969, Jeanne Dixon, famous astrologist and seer, came to a SARW luncheon at Alley's Wharf (same location as River's End Restaurant in Thunderbolt) in support of Republican candidates. Jeanne Dixon was interviewed on several radio stations here and was described as “very petite and very interesting”.

SARW members again worked very hard in the Barry Goldwater Presidential campaign of 1964. Senator Goldwater spoke to the State Republican Convention in Macon in 1968.

J. C. Lewis was the Republican Mayor of Savannah from 1966 through 1970.

On October 8, 1970, President Richard Nixon came to Savannah for the dedication of the Marine Science Center on Skidaway Island. There was no bridge back then and President Nixon went to Skidaway Island by boat from the Yacht Club on Wilmington Island. Phyllis Hardeman and Bessie Miltiades (Secretary to J. C. Lewis) worked with the Secret Service in issuing press passes and passes to the 800 people who attended.

By 1983, SARW had 52 members who were very happy as they had worked very hard and felt that they had help achieve the Republican gains of the 1980's.

Throughout the years SARW members have been active as delegates to county, district and State Republican Conventions, with fund-raising, mailings, calling, teas, luncheons and other events supporting candidates. SARW meetings were held at DeRenne Apartments (where Mamie Argust was Superintendent), Hunter Officer's Club, Rose of Sharon, 45 South, Holiday Inn Midtown, Red Lobster, and at a Steak House on Victory Drive where Backus Cadillac is presently located.

From the very beginning, SARW stressed that it is “never a social club, always a serious working club, concerned with issues and obtaining good candidates and getting them elected” said Phyllis Hardeman. Phyllis adds, “We were pioneers in seeking fine, ethical candidates, and working hard for them. Georgia Republicans always had good candidates.”

Surely, much of the credit for the wonderful results of the 2002 elections must be given to the long years of groundwork done by SARW members. They have always been optimistic and untiring in their efforts, strong in their beliefs in our Republican form of government.

What began in 1961 with nine Savannah women, Savannah Area Women has grown to over 150 members and is the largest Republican Women's Club in Georgia! Always known to be a serious, hard-working club, the social atmosphere are just happy side effects of our dedicated purposes.

Our members are educated, well informed, and ready to work! SARW by-laws state that our objectives are to inform, educate, participate, and foster loyalty to the Republican Party and it's principles. From Savannah's oldest families to newcomers and young people, we continually seek interested members.

Our Meetings are held the first Wednesday of each month. To find out more about our club, please click on the CONTACT US.