As members of the Fernley Republican Women you will be on the frontlines of building relationships with candidates as the 2026 elections kick into high gear. We are already hearing from candidates who want to speak to our club even though they are not "official" until candidate filing in March 2026.
As Campaign Committee Chair, Patti Palmer will be scheduling candidate forums and debates to be held at our meetings. She could use a few volunteers to help her on this committee. Let her know if you are willing to donate a few hours of your time.
In 2026 we will also continue to work diligently to meet the objectives of this organization which are to increase the effectiveness of women in the cause of good government through political education and active political participation; support objectives and policies of both the Nevada and National Federations of Republican Women; foster loyalty to the Republican Party and to promote its principles; work for the election of Republican Party nominees; and select topics which interest the organization and focus on legislation to interact with our elected officials within the state and nation.
To accomplish these objectives, we need volunteers to join or chair at least one of our committees. A description of duties and responsibilities can be found in the Handbook distributed to each member and updated each March. We need the participation of ALL of our members. I am certain you will find at least one committee that fits your interests, talents and abilities. None of the committees require a huge commitment of time and most require only one or two meetings per year. Just a few of our committees are featured below.
If you are not currently a member of the Fernley Republican Women and are just checking us out, come to a meeting and see for yourself what we are all about.
National Federation of Republican Women Achievement Award 2024-2025
Once again, Fernley Republican Women have received the Diamond Award, the National Federation of Republican Women's (NFRW) highest award for all we have done to further the Republican cause over the two-year period. Pictured below are the award and certificate presented at the NFRW's 2025 biennial conference in Orlando, Florida.
Americanism Committee - 2025
The Fernley Republican Women (FRW) is committed to fostering Americanism and Literacy in the local schools. As part of our Americanism program, pocket size Constitutions are given to fifth grade students in two middle schools. This year (2025) we delivered 120 copies to Yerington Middle School and 350 copies to Fernley Intermediate School. The Constitutions are delivered in the month of September because our own Constitution was fully signed on September 17, 1787, and is now celebrated as Constitution Day.
Pictured below in the first photo are Patricia de la Cuesta, Americanism Committee chair; Scott Gillespie, Yerington Middle School; and Terri Reaves, FRW member. In the second photo are Ms. de la Cuesta and Blake Cooper, Fernley Intermediate School.
Armed Forces/Homeland Security
Fernley Republican Women collect "wish list" items for the Veterans Guest House in Reno. Items include fresh fruits and vegetables, food staples, personal care products, socks and gloves and money. The Veterans Guest House provides family members a free place to stay while the veterans are receiving medical care in a Reno hospital. Pictured below are President Katy Baker and Armed Forces/Homeland Security Chair Lorrie Nelson presenting our monthly (May 2025) donation. Cash donations are also made to the Nevada Veterans Coalition and volunteers assist at the Memorial Day and Wreaths Across America ceremonies.
Memorial Day Ceremony - 2025
FRW members continue to assist the Nevada Veterans Coalition with the annual ceremony, which was very well attended this year (2025) as shown in the first picture below. Shown in the second picture are from left to right Kerry Palmer, Patti Palmer, Lorri Nelson, Lynn Lacey and Judy Van Heyningen who counted attendees. Lorrie and Patti also brought baked goods.
Executive Committee - 2025
President - Katie Baker 1st Vice President - Vida Keller 2nd Vice President - Patti Palmer Secretary - Carol Franich Treasurer - Peggy Gray Parliamentarian - Vacant
Pictured below from left to right are Katie Baker, Vida Keller, Patti Palmer, Carol Franich and Peggy Gray being sworn in by Nevada Third District Court Judge Leon Aberasturi. Judge Aberaturi has sworn in our officers every year but one at our annual Christmas/Installation Dinner since 2009.
Scholarship Committee - 2025
Fernley Republican Women (FRW) is pleased to announce it has awarded three $1,000 scholarships to Braidyn Irwin, Marli O’Neill and Julianne Van Wickler on Fernley High School’s Awards Night, June 11, 2025.
Braidyn will be attending The University of Nevada, Reno to study Pre-Nursing with a goal of becoming a Labor and Delivery, Emergency Room or Forensic Nurse. She graduated fourth in her class while working and participating in a wide range of community activities, such as Fernley ACES Haunted House and Music and Murals, and volunteering at the Fernley foodbank.
Marli will be attending the University of Idaho to study biology. She has maintained a balance of academic and extra-curricular activities by taking Zoology, College English, Political Science and Psychology while also competing in three different sports. She has served the community by volunteering at the local foodbank and tutoring at Silverland Middle School.
Julianne will also be attending the University of Nevada, Reno to study Nursing, specializing in Labor and Delivery. She has been awarded many academic honors in English, Spanish, Zoology, Math, and more. She has also made significant contributions to her church as an active member of the music department, youth group and children’s ministries.
We wish these young women success in all their endeavors now and in the future. Pictured below (from left to right) are FRW President Katie Baker, Julianne Van Wickler, Braidyn Irwin, Marli O’Neill and Chaplain Lorrie Nelson. (Photo by Carol Franich)
Literacy Committee
The Fernley Republican Women (FRW) is committed to fostering literacy in the community. Each year, we participate in the National Federation of Republican Women’s Literacy Month by sponsoring literacy projects. The program we selected is the Dictionary Project.
On October 3, 2025, Carol Franich and Patti Palmer presented "The Best Dictionary for Students" to each third-grade student at Cottonwood Elementary School. They spoke about literacy in all four classrooms.
Four books were also presented to the school library:
Adopting Joey
Otto Tales: Let’ s Meet a Police Officer
The American Adventure! : A Conservative Christian Kids’ Guides to US History & the 50 States
The Declaration of Independence (A True Book: American History)
Pictured below are the classrooms receiving the dictionaries.
This website is paid for by the Fernley Republican Women and not by any candidate or candidate's campaign committee.