Texas Tea Party Republican Women

Our History

1992-2024

Founded at God’s Direction!

Texas Tea Party Republican Women (TTPRW) was conceived by Susan Darbyshire after her attendance at a 1993 Cherry Tree Republicans meeting. “The Lord gave me the name,” said Susan. “It was His Club… but Elvie (Kingston) kicked me into gear.” Their vision of a Club that would “preserve traditional pro-life, pro-family Republican views1” began June 23, 1993 with Peggy Cox, President, along with Susan and Elvie who called themselves the “Amazons.”

At the 1994 Senate District 7 Convention, they handed out brochures while wearing hats and sequined vests. Over 400 people signed up to get information on a pro-life Club. “The excitement was unbelievable!” said Susan.

Peggy said the name resulted from “the group’s objection to the Clinton budget plan. 2” Carol Gaines, second President, managed the process of the Club’s joining the Texas Federation of Republican Women (TFRW) in 1996 with the invaluable assistance of the Daughters of Liberty Republican Women.

In July 1995 Elvie encouraged the Club to keep its “focus clearly on moral issues,” yet become “involved in every aspect of government. 3” This was followed in 1996 with a Club resolution that established polled principles for the Club, including the concepts of school choice, eminent domain issues, no-fault divorce and withdrawal from the United Nations.

Those early years were filled with parades, golf tournaments, style shows, fundraisers, starting Republican Women’s Clubs for African Americans and Hispanics, winning awards and running one of their own for office as well as participating at every level within the Republican Party. But TTPRW was also working actively with charitable organizations–such as Star of Hope Mission and pro-life groups.

They won many awards, including the #1 Phone Bank in Texas Award for most hours worked, having a total of 17,990 hours from 113 people; 23 people had over 200 hours each. Along with a membership explosion of over 400% in 1996, TTPRW raised $7,000 through a golf tournament. In 1997 they won the National Federation of Republican Women’s Highest Achievement Award. Under Lee Gayle Boettcher’s presidency, the Club co-sponsored an event with David Barton, which 400 people attended. They also won the TFRW Best Newsletter Award and the John Goodwin Tower Achievement Award.

The ship logo was created, as well as a ship pin which symbolized TTPRW’s commitment to keeping taxes low and government less. The logo has changed through the years, but the clipper ship still reflects the Club’s vision of fighting an increasing government bureaucracy and the accompanying taxes.

In 1999 the Club founded the Susan Darbyshire-Elvie Kingston Scholarship to encourage young women to work toward conservative Republican ideals. Two outstanding fundraisers were held in 1999 (Chariots Racing Toward 2000 with Charlton Heston) and 2001 (The Unsinkable Debbie Reynolds) raising tens of thousands of dollars under the leadership of Presidents Elvie Kingston, Debbie Riddle and Kathleen Bush. A trip to Israel to educate the Club and an Israel Awareness Day to educate the community were sponsored in 2002. Through the years TTPRW gained an increasing political presence with the election of a number of its members, including Donna Ballard (SBOE), Terri Leo (SBOE), Debbie Riddle (State Representative), Bonnie Dadidakis (Spring School ISD), Kay Smith (HCDE), Emergency Service District boards and Precinct Chairs.

Texas Tea activities in the Republican Party and TFRW continued, winning awards and attending conventions, including taking 20 members to the 2005 TFRW convention. John & Henrietta Haessly went to the 2005 Presidential Inauguration. Under Betty Anderson’s leadership, the Club held a two great fundraisers–one honoring Texas First Lady Anita Perry at the Downtown Aquarium. With Betty’s encouragement and the Executive Board’s approval, Gail Stanart wrote the Club’s vision statement: “To promote Judeo-Christian principles in government through political and charitable activities.”

President Perky Savage wisely took advantage of the Senate District 7 race for State Senate, increasing membership by 56%, running the statewide Victory Center (handling all of the Republican Party of Texas mailings) and winning TFRW’s 1st Place Award for Most Volunteer Hours for a Jumbo Club, as well as the 1st Place Elephant Stampede Award. The Club increased by 56% again in 2007 under President Gail Stanart and winning NFRW’s 1st Place National Membership Growth Award for a Large Club. Texas Tea’s membership reached over 300!

President Elvie Kingston enthusiastically led the Club again in 2008 & 2009 when many of us participated in the first Taxed Enough Already Day that spawned the “Tea Parties,” followed by President Sharon Slover, who kept us closely connected to the State Legislature by also working as the District Director for State Representative Allen Fletcher.

Kay Smith organized a very successful fundraiser with speaker David Limbaugh and a live auction of fabulous fur coats in 2010. Today, under Kay’s leadership as President, Texas Tea Party Republican Women continues to fight for the same conservative social and fiscal issues as 20 years ago. The Club continues its vision for the community and the nation which includes engaging people in the restoration of the country to its Godly heritage and leading the Club members to ever more effective influence for Judeo-Christian principles.

1 Tea Times 10th Anniversary November 2003

2 1960 Sun Newspaper, 2/2/94

3 Tea Times July 1995

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