Pages from the Past - 1966

Carline Owings, from Wheatridge, 

installed as President of the 

Colorado Federation of Republican Women in 1966.

Mrs. Carline Owings had a successful career as one of the few women engineers in the nation. She brought to the office many years of political activity with a particular interest in the field of race relations. History records note that she was an excellent speaker with striking personal appearance. "Cards for Candidates" was a major fund raising effort introduced with a traveling trophy. Club Chronicles was introduced to help clubs maintain adequate histories and earn awards. 80,000 copies of Primer of Politics were distributed at a cost of $874.01. In May, First Lady Ann Love and Mrs. Owings hosted a tea for CFRW at the Governor's Mansion. At the close of 1966 the CFRW membership ws 4,909 with 65 clubs listed.

In 1968 it was recommended CFRW dues be increased to $1.00 per capita, from the .50 per capita then in effect, and to eliminate the SCORE fund raising plan. The standing rules changed the Ruth Parks Trophy to be awarded biennially at the odd numbered year's state convention and office holders to receive .05 per mile for official business. The statewide project, "Cards for Candidates" netted $3,237.60 to be divided among CFRW, the State Central Committee and the unit clubs. Public Relations Chairman Judy LaMora was also PR co-chairman for the Western States Conference held in Denver.

The state's constitutional amendment approved in November 1966, to "take judges out of politics" put a halt to the plans of CFRW's First Vice President Elizabeth Priest's plans to become the next President. In fact, the July 26 Denver Post headlines read: "NO-POLITICS IDEA UTS JUDGE'S WIFE IN TIZZY." she withdrew her candidacy and other unit club president's were forced into retirement from the action. The resolution submitted at the convention asked for "clarification of the Colorado Supreme Court ruling that wives and immediate families of Colorado judges should not be active in politic."

Mrs. Owings died in 1970. To honor her and encourage the continuance of Federation efforts, a memorial fund was established, known as the "Carline Owings Memorial Fund."