Rock Island Today

Andrea Anderson and the Republican Women of Rock Island County are convinced this could be a history-making moment for them.

Even with a Republican president and a GOP-inspired Congress in power, Anderson, the group's president, and her crew feel no one can articulate their feelings and concerns quite the way they can themselves.

“We’re a group of women who have our own club who wanted to make certain our voices are heard," Anderson told the Rock Island Today. “No one is more concerned about conservative principles than we are, and we want to make sure we get to express what all of those views entail.”

The group that has grown to 52 members in just over a year’s time meets on the first Thursday of every month (except in July, November and January) at the Short Hills Country Club in East Moline to talk politics and chart a course of action they're convinced is in the best interest of everyone.

The group's overall agenda is simple: Increase the impact women have in government, disseminate information promoting Republican principles to anyone willing to listen and strive to increase their level of political power and engagement.

The group also actively supports both the Illinois and National Federation of Republicans and assists the efforts of local Republicans by handling such tasks as mailings.

“Everyone’s been encouraged and riding high coming off the inauguration,” Anderson said of President Donald Trump’s installation as the country’s 45th president. “People feel a huge sense of optimism. It’s true some may still not be big supporters of the president, but everyone’s embracing the general movement toward Republican principles.”

Anderson admits the range of what that can mean spans a lot more than it has in even the recent past.

“For me, immigration is huge, as is fiscal policy,” said Anderson, a banking manager by trade. “For others, that may mean overall conservative values. It really depends on the person you ask, but most of us still rally around the idea of fiscal policy and responsibility.”

As for Trump’s somewhat controversial start in the Oval Office, including his much debated and criticized ban prohibiting travelers from seven mostly Muslim nations from entering the U.S., Anderson said she understands and supports the action.

“Was it extreme, yes it was, but with what’s happening in other countries and around the globe, it’s what was needed,” she said. “If you put things in perspective, you have to take pretty strong measures. President Trump and others are looking around the world seeing what’s happening. Until there’s a more effective system, you have to cut things off and close our doors.”