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Feminism and Conservatism, by Danielle Broussard
I would like to thank all of the great Republican Women of Baltimore County for giving me the opportunity to write about Conservative and Women’s issues. Both are dear to my heart and I fear have been drowned out by the roar of, “Political Correctness.†I am often asked how I can be both a woman and a Conservative. I wonder as a woman how you can’t be. I grew up in the ‘70s when women’s liberation was hitting its stride and the ‘80s when we really came into our own power. While it seemed like the Democrats first embraced women’s rights, they have since abandoned or mangled almost all of the good things they intended, beyond recognition.
As a girl the first time I heard the word, “Feminist†I was intrigued. I was taught that a feminist was someone who thought women were equal with men, especially intellectually, and deserved to have all the same rights and opportunities: availability to education, scholarships, good jobs and equal pay. Who would be against that? Nothing in my life hinted that boys were worth more or more worthy than girls. In fact, I was better than most of them at sports and even when they became stronger than me at puberty, I was still more coordinated and had better stamina than most of them. While I grew up in a home where my Mom stayed home and didn’t work, I also had a Dad that told me I could do anything I wanted to do with my life.
With this definition I have and still do, consider myself a feminist. What has changed is that the Democrat party has decided you cannot consider yourself one if you vote Republican or stray from their values by even one issue. I thought the point of Feminism was empowerment, not to be taking orders mindlessly from one source. The irony has not been lost on me. I can’t tell you how many times I have been called a traitor to my gender on Facebook because I voted for Donald Trump. Somehow I’ve turned my back on Women’s rights because I’m not letting Democrats of both genders tell me what to think. I guess thinking for myself was a great idea until I disagreed with them. That’s like refusing to teach someone to read unless they agree to read only the books you choose.
Here’s where Feminism and the Democrats seriously parted ways for me. I watched them attack and ruin the life of a 26 year-old intern when she had the nerve to get seduced by Bill Clinton. I didn’t hear anyone asking what a middle-aged married, leader of the free world was doing having sex with a child. I heard how she was a slut and a looney toon. I heard this from so-called feminists, the first lady and the press, because a Democratic President was too precious to bring down or even be taken to task on his years long bad behavior. The only politicians who were worse to women than Bill Clinton were maybe the Kennedys, who are possibly tied with King Henry VIII. Being chosen by either could get you killed. Then a few years after that I was asked to vote for Hillary Clinton, the woman who excused every horrible thing Bill did to women. She was like looking at a female madam in a cathouse. I know that men do such things, but I expected better of a woman. Sadly, if she had divorced Bill I might have voted for her because she would be saying, “It’s wrong and I won’t tolerate it.†Then in true poetic fashion, the Democrats way of using people and discarding them no matter what underdog them claim to champion, came back to bite her. Was there anything more sexist than them picking Barack Obama over Hillary Clinton as their Presidential candidate in 2008? It was so smooth most still don’t even see it that way. On the one hand they were saying, “We’ll pick a man, any man, no matter how inexperienced, over this woman.†On the other they were just caught up in their own identity politics machine. It was as if they all got together and said, “You know what would be even cooler than a woman for President? I know, a black teenager!†Did they think they were casting a sitcom? Hillary had far more experience. Didn’t matter, because they really don’t care about women’s rights or equality. They care about power and they will throw anyone they claimed to care about, (women, minorities, Title 9 gave girls the same access to athletic scholarships that boys had. It was a huge victory. Now all that work is being eroded away by allowing transgendered “girls,†who were born biological males, to compete for those precious, few slots. Poof. Just like that, what real Feminists in the ‘70s fought hard for and won for future female generations, is gone. The Left are not Feminists. They’re hustlers. I’m just glad a few of us are wise enough to see it and say it. It wasn’t easy because it’s been camouflaged for years, coming out of female mouths we thought were our sisters and friends.
WINNING! RWBC NEW MEMBER PARTY
RECRUITS FORMER DEMOCRATS!
Life is full of surprises, but when three new members introduced themselves as former Democrats this past weekend at the annual New Member's Party, everyone took notice. We had heard of the massive crossovers to the Republican Party, but here was solid proof. Member Liz Matory, once an active Democrat in Montgomery County explained the switch in her book, Born Again Republican. In 2017, Liz decided to run against House Democrat Dutch Ruppersberger. Although unsuccessful in her first attempt, recent national attention on Baltimore City starts the dialog and opens up House Seats to the opposition party.
The New Member party was graced with wonderful weather in a beautiful setting. Members had the opportunity to meet with and hear Nino Mangioni, Maryland House of Delegates 42B, Kathy Szlegia, House of Delegates 7th District and other ranking local politicians.
Happy Birthday America!
An enthusiastic team of RWBC members joined together and decorated two vehicles for the Towson parade. Special this year was Ellen Sauerbry rode up front in a Jaguar Convertible!
JIMMY MATHIS - FEBRUARY FEATURED SPEAKER
Our February 16th meeting had guest speaker Jimmy Mathis speak to our group. Jimmy has been in broadcasting for 25 years, a talk show host at WBAL for ten and currently works at NBC News behind the scenes. He told us how his entire adult life has been about communication and how to frame the message that you want to get across. How do we, locally and nationally, take our Conservative message to the next level? He spoke of the failure of past messaging in the cases of John McCain and Mitt Romney; that of, “Well, things could be worse. Let’s stop going down this road.” We don’t need a complacent defensive strategy. We need a positive, offensive one. We must get back to the messaging of real Conservative values: Property rights, religious freedom, individual freedoms, law enforcement and having a civil society. These are our core values and beliefs and when we run on them we win.
Watch the full speech here at TV Free Baltimore:
ED HUDGINS - MARCH FEATURED SPEAKER
Our March 16th meeting brought guest speaker Ed Hudgins, Regulation Expert at the Heartland Institute. He discussed their interest in State and National efforts on energy, drugs and education reform. Heartland’s mission is to discover, develop, and promote free-market solutions to social and economic problems. His talk centered on the frustration of most education systems being run and taught with a far left-leaning bias. While the Government demands more money every year for education, they are producing worse and worse results. Our kids aren’t learning. The State has failed to educate our children. This is just another example of something that needs the private sector to intervene and clean up. The alternative is to continue getting ripped off while our children are brainwashed with Leftist propaganda.
Kathy Szeliga - Maryland House of Representatives Minority Whip
April Speaker
This was a lively meeting with loads of questions for Kathy Szeliga ranging from immigration and MS13 concerns to education reform. At the time of her speech, multiple bills were on the Governors desk waiting for a signature OR veto.
The Movie Unplanned Review
RWBC would like to thank the producers of “Unplanned” for working with RWBC to have a special showing of the movie at Hunt Valley Regal Theaters on March 28, 2019.
“Unplanned” is the true story of Abby Johnson; an eight year employee of Planned Parenthood and its youngest ever Clinic Director. Abby first becomes acquainted with P.P. on her college campus when a recruiter tells her she can have a career helping women. Her first job is walking clients from their car to the clinic, so they don’t get distracted by the Right to Lifers at the fence line trying to persuade them to keep their babies. Abby believes she is helping women make one of the toughest decisions of their life. She is no stranger to this decision having had two abortions herself.
This movie pulls no punches and does not back away from one of its most memorable lines, “Nobody ever said abortion was pretty.” It is this unvarnished, visual and emotional truth that earned it its R rating. An R rating reduces the size of the audience that will come to see your movie, especially one with a Christian theme, but it was necessary. You can’t capture the harsh reality of what happens during an abortion without the scene of the fetus squirming away from the doctor trying to vacuum it out. Without it, the movie would have been as sterile and whitewashed as Planned Parenthood’s explanations of what abortion is and why it is good. It is seeing it on an ultrasound that finally changes Abby’s mind about abortion. Yes; she had two before, but was never shown an ultrasound of her baby or heard its heartbeat. Her second one was chemically induced with the drug RU486. She sold abortions for eight years before ever witnessing the physical horror of a moving fetus being sucked out of a young girl and then its parts rearranged on a paper towel to make sure they got it all. The audience squirmed as well.
What really works about “UNPLANNED” is that although it tackles one of the worst divides of our time, it really doesn’t judge. There is compassion for Abby and for all of the women who made that choice. She chose abortion to avoid being attached to an undesirable man for the rest of her life. Even if you think abortion is murder, you see the guy she would be stuck with and it’s understandable. There is a theme of forgiveness and acceptance. You have sympathy for the suffering she goes through anyway. The RU486 caused her to hemorrhage violently and endure a very long, painful night. They told her there would be only slight discomfort and bleeding. They told her she wouldn’t look back on her abortions as anything more than a minor medical procedure if she looked back on them at all. Both were lies.
The Pro-Life group, 40 Days for Life, is portrayed as sincere in direct contrast to another hostile protester who is more in the Westboro Baptist Church vein: aggressive, intimidating and damning. This is important when the press paints all Pro-lifers as crazy, unhinged, bible bangers who want to kill abortion doctors. When Abby finally leaves, 40 Days for Life takes her in and helps her find a job.
“Unplanned” far exceeded expectations at the box office. The media has excelled at making the Pro-Life movement look minuscule, insignificant and passé. More fake news. Abby’s epiphany could be considered a small miracle. Knowing how Hollywood feels about this topic, the bigger miracle is that this film got made at all.
The Maryland Federation of Republican Women
Proudly Honors Long-time Member Ellen Sauerbrey
Highlights from Ellen’s life include 1959 Graduate of Western Maryland College…1960-1967 Taught Biology…1964 Volunteer Goldwater Presidential Campaign…1966 Charter Member Republican Women of Baltimore County (then GOP-Hers)…1966 Volunteer Agnew Gubernatorial Campaign… 1968…Delegate National Convention (Nixon)…1974 Volunteer Hogan Gubernatorial Campaign (asked to be Lt.Gov. candidate)…By 1976 Vice President MFRW…1978 Elected Delegate to General Assembly…1986 Elected Minority Leader…1990 Elected National President of ALEC…1994 Gubernatorial Campaign (election fraud)…1996 Maryland Chairman Phil Gramm Presidential Campaign…1998 Gubernatorial Campaign…2000 Maryland Chairman George W. Bush Presidential Campaign…2001 Ambassador to UN Commission on Status of Women…2003 Assistant Secretary State Department in charge of Population, Refugees & Migration…2014 Advisor to Governor Hogan
Baltimore City/County Citizens Meet
Various members of the Democrat and Republican party's came together to discuss the issues in the city, state and Baltimore County that face all of us. The Greater Baltimore Muslim Council graciously hosted the event.
Ex Mayor Shelia Dixon, Delegate Nick Mosby, Shahab Garni, Nicolee Ambrose, Kathryn Jerrard, Delegate Dr. Jay Jalise, business owners Zakia Shad, Zulqurnain Saroya, representatives from B.C. police Department and many others from across the city and county attended.
First Lady Luncheon
Lunch with the First Lady is always a well attended event. Republican Women of Baltimore County donated a lovely basket of local items. Proceeds benefit a charity of the First Lady's Choice.
MFRW Spring Board of Directors General Session
March 23rd, 2019
Diana Waterman MFRW President, called to order the 2019 Spring Board of Directors Meeting Saturday, March 23rd, at the Richlind Ballroom. Many women from various Republican Womens Clubs across the state attended to hear the exciting line up of speakers. Continental breakfast, salads, soups, chicken, shrimp, brownies, cookies and no shortage of snacks fueled participants throughout the day.
Congressman Andy Harris provided an exciting update from Washington including the recently released Mueller report, new congress elected official members frequently in the news, voting, immigration, budget, our military, updates on Israel and the Golan Heights and so many other topics for discussion. The conversation could have continued all day fueled only on the talk provide by Congressman Harris, however other speakers were lined up. Delegate Kathy Szeliga House Minority Whip, shared the legislative directives for 2019 the good, the bad and the ugly. Redistricting is underway. The plan is to utilize this new map for the 2020 Congressional election however we may not realize the true effects until 2021. Most disappointing will be the increase in tax costs in Maryland to each family per year, the focus on increased educational performance and not the increase in cost per student per year is failing with costs per each student rising, the movement closer to Maryland becoming a Sanctuary State and passed gun bills that have nothing to do with the guns used in more than 1,000 shootings and more than 300 murders in Maryland were some of the interests presented. Ashley Mac Leavy, is the only Republican School Board elected member in D.C. who works towards improving educational policy spoke about winning her race, celebrating women and the Independent Women’s Forum, a women’s think tank to present issues of interest to all Americans. Liz Matory former Congressional district 2 candidate, spoke about winning with women in Maryland.
Many members delivered various topics such as legislation in Maryland 2019, Caring for America, Literacy initiatives, Americanism, Voter Registration, Political Education, Membership, Leadership Development, Public Relations with an energizing final presentation on “Why Maryland Can’t Compete” by Dee Hodges, MFRW 1st V.P. Vendors from Stella and Dot, Pretty Girl Soaps, Peach Clothing and ASEA products were on display. Many events are being introduced by MFRW in the continuing year, Political Campaign School for the upcoming election of 2020, The First Lady’s Luncheon Thursday, May 2nd and Fall Board of Directors Meeting which maybe held at Turf Valley Resort in Ellicott City is scheduled for October.
January 2019 Speaker - Pastor David Whitney
The first meeting of the Republican Women of Baltimore County began the 2019 year with a dynamic speaker, Pastor David Whitney of Pasadena Maryland’s Cornerstone Evangelical Free Church. As chaplain of the Southern National Congress where he is also the Chairman of the Maryland Delegation to the Congress, Pastor Whitney discussed the Constitution and the founding fathers’ views of Law and Government.
The Pastor discussed with members and friends his vast knowledge on the Constitution as a scholar and representative of the Institute on the Constitution. Based on our biblical teachings, the Constitution states “Our rights and the purpose of civil government is to secure our rights as they are God’s given rights to the American People.” Looking into the Biblical and Pagan view of Government he compares our rights based on our creation not evolution, limited authority in Government and patriotism based on a republic not tyranny.
Under the Constitution we are all privileged as we have been born under the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States with God Given Rights. The only privilege that should be recognized should be as a citizen in America.
Pastor Whitney graduated with honors in History from Rutgers University fostering his continued love of our country and a greater understanding of the constitution. He continued on to graduate from Denver Seminary College pastoring in many areas throughout the US. He is a strong advocate for the family and protector of the unborn child.
Republican Women of Baltimore County Christmas Party
This years Christmas party was held on Friday, December 7, 2018 at the lovely and beautifully decorated Hillendale Country Club in Phoenix, Maryland. Many people attended the social event enjoying one another’s company and partaking of an extensive buffet. Tom Esposito provided some Christmas music by playing the piano which added to the festive atmosphere.
Kathryn Jerrard, the president of the club, welcomed the guests and then asked Bill Ensor to open the evening with a prayer. She then introduced Dena Espenscheid of the Leadership Institute which is a conservative organization that teaches and supports conservative activists to influence public policy through participation and leadership. She spoke to the assembled guests about the purpose and vision of the institute.
After enjoying a most delicious dinner, the holiday atmosphere continued into the evening as participants continued to socialize and extend Christmas wishes to each other a well as the best for the upcoming New Year.
A Journey from the Left to the Right
An interview with Liz Matory, who ran for Maryland’s 2nd Congressional District in Maryland, proved to be an awe-inspiring journey for her as she moved from a liberal thinking mindset and agenda, then as an Independent then to the conservative side as a registered Republican.
Born February 11, 1980 in Washington, D.C. Liz considers herself a “Born Again Republican” and also having published a book bearing that title. Her educational background consists of a BA from Columbia University, an MBA from the University of Maryland and a JD from Howard University. Her political activism entails involvement with the Maryland Federation of Republican Women and the Maryland State Republican Central Committee.
Liz has strong opinions that she has developed and also witnessed as she transitioned from one party to the other over time. She saw extensive governmental manipulation and control enacted in which she feels you loose personal autonomy. She feels that the control can jeopardize, subtract from and redefine standby traditions of family, faith and belief in one self. Once the belief in one self is eroded it allows for more intervention by the government. She believes in the tenet that you can’t control people as much when they are given a choice. A quote from Liz states, “We should be further along as a community and country than we are but for the three generations of failed liberal policies our country is unrecognizable. If we do not take a bold, focused step to challenge the status quo our American way of life will be lost forever.”
Despite having lost in the mid term election to Dutch Ruppersburger Liz is primed to continue her journey through her political activism for the top issues important to her which are protecting our 2nd amendment rights as well as the Right to Life causes for the unborn, honoring our service members and families, the lowering of taxes and to grow the economy. As for elections in general Liz adheres to rule # 1 that the only elections that are easy to steal are the close ones.
Liz currently resides in Parkville, MD and is slated to begin work on a second book.
Custom made RWBC Christmas Ornament
Clean up crew, but not much to do thanks to Hillendale CC.
The Final Drive
On Thursday, October 18, 2018 at the Valley Mansion in Cockeysville, MD Nino Mangione, a Republican running for the Maryland House of Delegates in District 42B in Baltimore County, held his last fund raiser before the mid-term elections on November 6.
The turnout was exceptional as well as the food and ambience.
Nino’s uncle, John, opened the event and spoke at length about the upcoming election and stressed the importance of “getting out the vote.” He then introduced guest speaker Ed Norris, the former Baltimore City Police Commissioner and State Police Superintendent. Mr. Norris was quite candid about the corrupt aura that surrounds Baltimore City and the high number of crimes that are committed. He spoke about a comparison between New York City, where he currently lives, to Baltimore in what is being done to curb crime. Statistically, NYC far surpasses Baltimore in declining numbers related to crime, theft and murders. He spoke of quicker and longer incarceration as one of the modalities to curb it.
Al Redmer addressed the audience briefly about his candidacy for Baltimore County Executive. He highlighted his qualifications and talked about the issues facing Baltimore County and how he proposes to tackle them. He then spoke very highly of Nino in regard to his energy and passion for the causes that he cares deeply about. He stressed the importance of voting for Nino as he will be a profound voice in Annapolis for all of Baltimore County.
Nino then spoke to the attendees after being introduced by his uncle, John Mangione. He reiterated the important challenges facing our county- communities that are at risk due to illegal drugs and opioid abuse, the need for stricter budget management and state spending, pushing for tougher sentences related to selling drugs whether on school grounds or anywhere. Aggressively pursuing solutions to these problems would be foremost to Delegate Mangione.
Afterwards, Nino mingled with the attendees going from table to table shaking hands, smiling and posing for many photos. He is a high energy young man totally committed to the serious issues in our state.
Maryland Voting District 42B Fund Raiser
On Wednesday, September 26, 2018 a political fund raiser was held for District 42nd B at the Timonium Fairgrounds in Timonium, Maryland. Governor Larry Hogan of Maryland’s team consisted of Chris West and Christian Miele both currently running for state Senate in District 42 B, and Joe Boteler, Joe Cluster, Nino Mangione, and Dr. Tim Robinson all running for the House of Delegates. Also present was Al Redmer running for Baltimore County Executive and David Marks running for the County Council. The event was very well attended despite a torrential downpour. All of the candidates working in a most effective partnership with Governor Hogan will ensure that effective legislation is passed to continue moving Maryland forward. Common ground among all of them is to create thousands of jobs, provide safety measures in our schools, protect the environment, maintain strict budget management, monitor illegal criminal aliens for the safety and benefit of Baltimore County and reassure taxpayers that each tax dollar is spent efficiently and with accountability.
Governor Hogan attended as well and spoke to the audience about how far Maryland has progressed under his bipartisan leadership. He emphasized how the business climate in Maryland has improved significantly, taxes have not been raised during his administration, fees and tolls have been reduced and funds earmarked for improvement in education have been allotted and applied. The critical importance of this particular mid term election was stressed by Governor Hogan and an appeal was made by him for the people to get involved and volunteer as much as possible. He stressed that the above mentioned candidates will help him continue changing Maryland for the better as his team moves in lockstep to realize many goals already achieved and ensure that more are met.
The fund raiser ended on a high note as Governor Hogan graciously shook hands among the crowd and stood with several groups of people for picture taking. As always, he was well received and appreciated for all he has done so far as he continues to put Maryland on the national map going forward.
Wheelbarrow of goodies raffled off by RWBC to raise additional funds for the candidates.
Movie Day! “In The Face Of Evil”
July 2018
Our upcoming elections were keeping most of our members engaged in campaigning however some members were unable to door knock during the hot day and instead spent it watching the movie “In The Face Of Evil”. On Saturday, June 16th Mr. Tim Watkins owner and CEO of Renegade Communications and our member Beth Reinhart arranged to show the movie “In The Face Of Evil”.
Mr. Tim Watkins produced and directed this highly acclaimed conservative documentary with the efforts of Stephen and Chris Bannon based on the book written by Peter Schweitzer Reagan’s War In Word and Deed. Winner of both The American Film Renaissance and The Liberty Film Festival Documentary Award , “In The Face Of Evil” is an uncompromising look at the leadership and moral courage as President Ronald Regan confronted Soviet Communism.
In the welcoming studio of Renegade Communications with big fluffy black swivel chairs, we heard the history behind the making of the movie and its production. Tim Watkins presented the insider’s perspective and what it was like working with Stephen and Chris Bannon and Peter Schweitzer. Tien Langlee our RWBC Fundraiser Chairperson provided pizza and snacks while we enjoyed each other’s company and watched the movie. The post movie discussion on Communism, Soviet Russia and the Berlin Wall was just as engaging with comments from Judge and Senior Fellow at the Center of Immigration, Honorable Art Arthur, Ambassador Ellen Sauerbrey and Dee Hodges. We were very grateful for the generosity of Renegade Communications and the kindness of Beth Reinhart.