South Dakota Federation of Republican Women

President ~ Penny Sattgast

1st Vice President ~ Catherine Barranco 2nd Vice President ~ Beka Zerbst

3rd Vice President ~ Heidi Engelhart

4th Vice President ~ Kirsten Bradsky

Secretary ~ Laci Sosa (not pictured)

Treasurer ~ Connie Wagner

Member at Large ~ Jeni Boerger

Member at Large ~ Tina Mullaly (not pictured)

Member at Large ~ Paula Van Sharrel (not pictured)

Member at Large ~ Terri Jorgenson (not pictured)

Past President ~ Sandy Rhoden

From the President's Desk

Here it is, election year and it’s 2020. This year will go down in history as being the year that____. Maybe some time in the future we’ll be able to fill in the blank. But for now, we know that ‘hindsight is 2020’. We have so much at stake that it’s been a whirlwind of working for Republican candidates both within and beyond state lines. In September, we began our ‘Boots on the Ground’ journey with seven ladies going door to door for Steve Daines in Montana, as well as for our President and Republicans. Kirsten Bradsky was the Montana contact.

At this time ‘Lov’ My Gov’ t-shirts were being delivered to members and others around the state. A big thank you to Penny Sattgast for that very special project. Also, the online South Dakota Patriotic Photo Contest was happening, compliments of Catherine Barranco. The winner with the most votes was Sandy Rhoden’s picture of her and twin sister, Debbie, wearing the ‘Lov’ My Gov’ t-shirts!

At the end of September, we had a wonderful convention in Sioux falls hosted by the Minnehaha-Lincoln club where we had good attendance, despite Covid 19. Our Region 4 NFRW Director, Beverly Owensby, was able to join us for the convention. Trish Murphy was our outstanding convention chair who made thousands of details come together wonderfully that weekend. Our special guest speaker, Dr. Ben Carson, made it a unique experience for both members of SDFRW and the public. Sara Frankenstein brought folks out of their chairs as she delivered so beautifully with her vocals, ‘God Bless America’. Ben and Candy Carson even attended our little Prayer and Praise Breakfast on Sunday morning! Our time of renewal together was just what the ‘Doctor ordered’.

We have a brand new club, SD Republic Women in Cyberspace. They have already had Senator hopefuls John James (Michigan) and Mark Cavaliero (North Carolina), Texas State Senator Dawn Buckingham, US Senator Martha McSally (Arizona) on as guest speakers! The club will continue to be an exciting one with interesting speakers agreeing to meet via Zoom. Catherine Barranco is the current president and creator of this new and exciting club. While folks are encouraged to join their county clubs, this is an alternative for those who are not close to where a club meets. Full members of other clubs may be associate members for just $5 and attend all meetings.

Boots on the Ground continued by spending a day in Minnesota going door to door for more good Republicans. Penny Sattgast was the contact for that state.

On October 15, there were four South Dakotans who met with other fantastic leaders with both Michigan and Arkansas Federations for a breakfast with John James as our speaker in Grand Rapids, MI. We had great conversations and made some wonderful contacts. Besides myself, 2nd VP Catherine Barranco and 3rd VP Beka Zerbst were able to benefit from this meeting of leaders. Maurine Schlichte, from PCRW, and her sister from Chicago also attended and contributed so much. We then spent two days and knocked on almost 1,000 doors with our group for John James and President Trump. Catherine Barranco was the Michigan trip organizer.

Besides putting boots on the ground across state lines, Kirsten Bradsky and some PCRW gals have been hosting calling centers in support of Republicans. Many calls have been made, so our presence has been made known to voters out there for sure. In addition, we have put time and funding into radio ads to promote our Republican values and to combat the legalization of marijuana. We know that whether it is recreational or medical marijuana that is legalized, it will open up a long list of difficult situations for our youth, medical community and law enforcement. We love South Dakota the way it is and will never be able to go back if we make uninformed decisions that will change our constitution and laws forever.

Our last actual ‘boots on the ground’ effort will take place in Iowa on October 30. Calls will likely be continued until election day as we’ve been ignited to do what we can like no other election. We know if President Trump isn’t victorious, our country will change drastically. We need to save the Senate majority and we know what happens if we don’t. But regardless of the outcome, we are strong Replublican women. SDFRW is made up of such an array of talented, gifted and hard working women who are not just willing, but anxious to serve. We will prevail under the plan the Lord has in store for us. He is in control and we are doing whatever we can to serve Him.

In December, we hope to meet at our state Capitol to enjoy what is left of this year together, as one united group of awesome ladies (& gents). We have the best women in the state in our organization and each one should be proud to be a member of SDFRW. I know I am. God Bless each and every one.

Blessings,

Sandy Rhoden

SDFRW President

From the President's Desk

April 12, 2020

I can truly say with all honesty that we are living in unprecedented times. Christians will be celebrating the resurrection of our Lord and Savior during a time of a national pandemic. While this is a difficult and challenging time, it has certainly presented many opportunities. Families are talking, eating together and hopefully praying together more. Is this what it takes to get our attention? If that is so, then I am thankful for that opportunity to be reminded that life isn’t meant to be spent on our phones or computers. He gave us each other to enjoy and have fellowship with. He gave us a beautiful landscape that was meant for us to view with our own eyes, not through someone else’s lens. He gave flowers fragrance for us to consume in person. He gave us a strong body to walk, climb, run or hike through the wilderness. He made our loved ones soft and warm in order to hold and comfort each other.

Let’s truly take time this season to understand and believe on the hope that we are so freely given. A time to be thankful for the country that based its laws and way of life on Godly principles. God’s son died a horrible death, but he rose from the grave and will have eternal life in a place so beautiful we can’t even begin to imagine in our little minds. We are given the same opportunity. What a gift! Every one of us who choose that path are ensured a changed life.

As a member of South Dakota Federation of Republican Women, our organization holds true to the platform and principles that are pleasing to our ‘true’ Leader. As Republicans, we pledge our allegiance to this Republic, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. For that, we are a blessed nation and have every reason to hope for all that is good.

Have a blessed Easter.

Sandy Rhoden

SDFRW President

From the President's Desk

March 21, 2020

Saturday Greetings!

I just saw a FB post that showed a beautiful peach cobbler that ‘someone’ made for her family. Her husband was so elated! This gave me an idea.

While many of us are at home, what if those of you who love to bake would make something like this and put in individual bowls, jars, etc. and add a note and take it to your medical facilities or Sherriff’s Dept. for drop off? Say you drop off 12, then maybe the next 12 people heading home from their shift could take one home and see on the note or card that South Dakota Republican Women are thinking of them, appreciate their service and encourage them to keep up the good work!

If this idea inspires anyone, it would be a wonderful thing to show our support.

If you want to co-ordinate an effort in your community or club, that would be awesome! Please share any ideas or plans you come up with so we can all be encouraged and motivated. It would be fun to share on FB as well.

Galatians 6:2 Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

Blessings,

Sandy Rhoden

SDFRW President

No pressure, just follow your heart on this one.

March 20, 2020

SDFRW members & friends,

I hope this finds you all well despite the changes in your lives due to Covid19. Because South Dakotans are resilient, smart and strong we will get through this and come out stronger than before. There is a ‘glimmer’ of hope with mention of some medications that may be used that are already approved by the FDA according to FOX news.

Every day there is something new. Our governor is fighting for us around the clock in ways we do not know. Please keep her in your prayers in the days and weeks to come.

The SDGOP has asked that we postpone events scheduled for the months of April and May. At this time several Lincoln Day Dinners have been postponed. Our spring quarterly meeting scheduled for Saturday, April 25, has not yet been cancelled, but is under consideration as to how we will hold the meeting. Beka Zerbst and Jen Boerger may be willing to set up a virtual meeting. If we do that, it will be the first of its kind for SDFRW.

Times and methods are changing, but they will not hinder our strong spirit to keep our country great! As the snow melts and winter subsides, we will spring forth with new energy and fight that we will need to re-elect President Trump and work to fill the US House and Senate with Republicans. We will elect ‘common sense’ conservatives to our legislature and local elected positions.

As Republicans we show compassion and step forward in times of crisis. Attached is a list of activities clubs may participate in during the Coronavirus epidemic, and any of these would count as Caring for America projects.

Caring for America has a new Facebook page, NFRW Caring for America, that highlights clubs' activities and posts photos. Messages for the committee, including photos to share on FB of the good projects your clubs are engaged in, can be sent to caring4amer.nfrw@gmail.com.

Can we get into the habit of going to www.sdfrw.com to check out updates? Jen Boerger is working on keeping this a ‘working page’ and getting updates from our congressional delegation as well as our Governor. Next to the home page there’s a Covid-19 Update page. Also, click on MORE to go to our Facebook page & more.

Megan Assman is also doing a great job of keeping the latest updates on our FB page! We try to keep the latest videos of Governor Noem’s updates posted.

Communication will be increasing via FB & our website so please check them out daily!

Keep doing what you’re doing & chin up.

Stay home, stay healthy, pray for our country and be READY!

Blessings,

Sandy Rhoden

SDFRW President

From the President's Desk

February 2020

Dear SDFRW Membership,

It has been an honor and an absolute pleasure to serve as your President these past few months. It is hard to believe how many details, questions, plans and duties come with the position, but it’s been time & energy well spent. Working with such an amazing team of women, in both my local club (Meade County) and our Executive Board, Committee Chairs and active members has been encouraging and inspiring. I believe we have the ability to do some ‘great’ things in our state and country. It is imperative that we stand strong at this time in history and not be pushed back by a liberal agenda that could change the course of our future.

We are blessed to have a Governor who has a true heart for our state, strong convictions, and has the courage to press onward to do what is right. This visionary leader of ours is connected, hardworking, and has great plans for a bright future in South Dakota. What is so interesting is that we elected our first woman Governor on the 100th anniversary of the Women’s Suffrage. It was no mistake that we elected our amazing Governor, Kristi Noem. And I’m proud that SDFRW has so many leaders who make up a body that reflects all of those same qualities with passion.

We are moving forward by crossing state lines to help get Republicans elected, appearing at college campuses to share in our new program: Truth for Our Youth, we are connecting with families of deployed soldiers with encouragement and support, we are working to educate the public on issues facing our communities and our state, holding meetings where we exchange ideas and plans, sponsoring community and youth programs, supporting strong republican candidates, preparing to host Ben Carson as our special guest at our State Convention in September and much more.

We are once again putting ‘boots on the ground’ to fulfill our mission to keep our state and our great country free, safe and full of opportunities for all. We welcome other good, Republican women who would like to be involved as members, as well as men who would like to be associate members. May God bless you, and God bless America.

By the strength of the leaders’ commitment, the power of the team is unleashed.

Sandy Rhoden

SDFRW President