Our Objective
At Republican Women Leaders of Calvert County, we strive to:
- broaden the understanding of Republican aims in government,
- increase the number of registered Republicans,
- unite efforts along Republican lines,
- educate women on how to run for political office, and
- provide training as needed to accomplish these objectives.
Our History
Founded in 2003, the Republican Women Leaders of Calvert County (RWLC) brings together processional women from all walks of life. Together, we stay actively involved in all legislative efforts that impact conservative issues. Within the larger community, the RWLC generously participates in Calvert County’s charitable initiatives.
The National Federation of Republican Women gives us an inspiring and informational history of women's republican groups. Be sure to check it out!
Our Affiliations
The club (and all members) are active affiliates of both the:
These state and national affiliations make the RWLC part of the largest and most influential political women’s organizations in the United States.
Our Awards
Current Officers
Jana Barberio
Miriam Caudill
Miriam Caudill
President
Miriam Caudill
Miriam Caudill
Miriam Caudill
Vice President
Carolyn Rice
Miriam Caudill
Carolyn Rice
Treasurer
Janet Cosh
Miriam Caudill
Carolyn Rice
Corresponding Secretary
Amanda Dolina
Donna Zupancic
Donna Zupancic
Recording Secretary
Donna Zupancic
Donna Zupancic
Donna Zupancic
Past President
Donna Zupancic | 2019 - 2023
Donna Zupancic served two terms as RWLC President, finished someone else’s VP term prior, and then was elected to VP for two-year terms. During her Presidency, she kept the club going during the COVID shutdown and the stolen presidential election. She was also awarded the Calvert County Republican Central Committee Women of the Year Award in 2020.
In February 2022, Donna was appointed to serve on the Calvert County Republican Central Committee as Treasurer and was elected to the board in 2023.
In 2023, Donna received an award for being an Election Judge for 20 years in Calvert County: “We have to keep on fighting to secure our elections.”
In addition to being a Corporate Officer in her family business, she also manages properties in Calvert, Prince George’s, Charles, St Mary’s County and in Alexandria Virginia. Donna was also appointed by Gov. Hogan in 2021 to serve on the Real Estate Appeal Board.
Donna graduated from Towson State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1983. Donna moved to Calvert County from Prince George’s in 1989, because of the beautiful country setting and the public schools. The county has changed a lot since then and she continues to work to keep Calvert County’s country values and to get the public schools back to being the best in the state.
In 2023, Donna and her husband David celebrated their 40th Wedding Anniversary. She is a mother of two sons (Scott & Shawn) and a daughter (Sheri) and a grandmother to five grandchildren (Zander, Evie, Hunter, Lilly and Archer), most of whom live on the family farm. Her daughter lives in St. Mary’s on her husband’s family farm. They all gather together every Sunday for dinner.
In her spare time, she enjoys playing Bunco with a group of wonderful conservative ladies once a month.
We thank Donna for her leadership and integrity.
Mary Haley-Amen | 2016-2019
Mary Haley-Amen completed her term as RWLC President in Dec. 2019. She is the mother of a grown daughter, Caitlin, who is a graduate of Salisbury University. Mary is retired from a 30-year career as a Historian and Curator of several historic sites in Prince George's County. She grew up in Southern Maryland, but became a proud Cornhusker while attending, and ultimately graduating from, the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, NE. (UNL) with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History. She worked for the Nebraska Historical Society before a successful career at the Maryland National Park and Planning Commission, where she works today. As a historian, she has designed and overseen the creation of many exhibits and museums, including the W. Henry Duvall Tool Museum, among many others in the Patuxent Rural Life Museums at Patuxent River Park in Upper Marlboro.
As past RWLC President, Mary was committed to continuing to offer great guest speakers at the monthly meetings, and helping to improve the image and enthusiasm of Republican women. Mary lives in Huntingtown where she enjoys spending time with her Chihuahua, Rusty. She enjoys red wine and good books. She and her significant other, George, spend time at local drag races, where George is an award-winning driver. Mary also enjoys spending time on George's 200-acre farm in Croom and both have appeared in a national farm magazine.
Patti Stueckler | 2013 - 2015
Patti Stueckler completed her term as RWLC President in Dec 2015.. She is the mother of two grown children, Haley and Conor Stueckler, and has been married to John Stueckler since 1987. Patti is the principal agent of a family real estate team, and is among the top 1% of realtors nationally. Patti graduated from the University of Maryland with a Bachelor of Science Degree, and worked as a newspaper reporter before her career in real estate.
As a past RWLC President, Patti believes in the importance of reaching out to the community, and giving women a place to support Republican efforts, while socializing with other like-minded women. During her presidency, Patti grew the club's membership to over 80 members. Under her leadership, the RWLC earned the Maryland Shield Award presented by the Maryland Federation of Republican Women, it's highest award. Patti currently serves as an Associate Member on the Calvert County Republican Central Committee (CCRCC).
Carolyn Rice | 2011 - 2013
Carolyn has four grown children: Jacqueline, Joey, James, and Christine. She graduated from Loch Raven University and worked many years in the insurance industry where she met her husband, Joe Rice. Carolyn has volunteered in many church and school programs throughout the years. She was a CCD teacher for 14 years, Chair of the Hot Lunch Program and Theater Program, Pom Coach, and various other volunteer programs. Carolyn began a career as a yoga instructor with 200-hour certification in Integrative Yoga Therapy from the Yama Studio in Baltimore.
Carolyn's political interest was heightened during the 2008 election, and joined the Republican Women Leaders of Calvert. Wanting to make a difference, she quickly became Fundraising Chair, overseeing two very successful Christmas House Tours of Decorated Homes. Under Carolyn's RWLC Presidency, the club twice earned the highest award presented by the Maryland Federation of Republican Women (MFRW) -- The Maryland Shield Award. Carolyn says, "The highlight of my time as president was attending the National Federation of Republican Women's 37th Biennial Convention where our club was honored the silver award."
Carolyn was elected to the Calvert County Republican Central Committee in Nov. 2014. She also serves as the MFRW Vice Chair of the Southern Maryland Region and is a board member for the RWLC.
Catherine Grasso | 2009 - 2011
Catherine was a founding member of the RWLC. She has served terms as Awards Chair, Recording Secretary, Vice President, and President. Catherine's work has helped grow the club into the premier and active club it is today. Under Catherine's presidency she began the highly successful Christmas House Tour of Decorated Homes. She has worked tirelessly for the MFRW as the Awards Chair, Americanism Chair, Regional Vice Chair and led a fundraising workshop at a MFRW board meeting.
Catherine has worked on campaigns for Bob Erlich, Charles Lollar, and Delegate Mark Fisher. She worked with the Calvert County Republican Central Committee on the election of five Republican county commissioners in the past several elections. In 2012, Catherine was the Co-Calvert County Coordinator for Tony O'Donnell's campaign for Congress in the fifth district. Catherine was the recipient of the Calvert County Republican Woman of the Year Award 2010. She serves on the Calvert County Hospital Ball Committee and is a 120 Club Member for the CCRCC. Catherine was elected to the Calvert County Republican Central Committee in 2015. She works for the Department of Agriculture as a Program Analyst and is married to Frank Grasso.
Ella Ennis | 2005 - 2009
Ella is a native Marylander and a resident of Calvert County for over 20 years. She served as Chairman of the Calvert County Republican Central Committee (CCRCC) from 2013-2014. She serves as the Coordinator for the Eucharistic Adoration Network at St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Prince Frederick., and represents her community on the Calvert County Cliff Stabilization Advisory Committee.
Ella retired from the USDA, National Rural Development Partnership in 2005. She was a member of the Critical Area Commission for the Chesapeake Bay from 2004-2006. Ella served as Co-Chairman, MFRW Legislative Committee Chairman, and MFRW Corresponding Secretary.
Ella served as the Volunteer Chairman for the O'Donnell for Congress Campaign in 2012, and as Calvert County Chairman for the Ehrlich for Governer Campaign.. Earlier in her career, she served as Executive Assistant and Legislative Liaison for Prince George's County Executive Bill Gullett. She also served as Legislative Liaison to the General Assembly for County Executive Larry Hogan from 1978-1981. Ella is the 2015 recipient of the Calvert County Commission for Women's Outstanding Achievement Award.
Judy Macwilliams | 2004 - 2006
Judy has lived in Calvert County since 1985. Judy and her husband, Richard, have three children Amy, Scott, and Mike, and have seven grandchildren. She had a successful career at the Bureau of Census, where she received the Census Bureau's Award for Excellence, and later worked at the Calverton School. Judy has an Associate's Degree from the College of Southern Maryland. She has served on various boards and committees including: President of the Calvert Chapter of the American Cancer Society, MD State Board of the American Cancer Society, Vice President of Northern High School PTA, served on Calvert Library Committees, Chaired the Advisory Board of the Calvert County Community College, and was a member of the Calvert County Republican Central Committee.
Judy is currently a board member for the Arts Council of Calvert County and Chairs the Mary Beth Harry Scholarship Committee, and member of the Calvert County Redistricting Committee. Judy was asked in 2003 to help form a women's Republican club in Northern Calvert. She became President of the RWLC in 2004, and initiated wine tasting dinner fundraisers and annual White House tours at Christmas. She served as Editor of the MFRW newsletter, the Trumpeter, in 2006, and was the MFRW Political Education Chair. Judy chaired the Calvert Re-Election Campaign of Governor Ehrlich. In 2006, the Maryland State GOP named her the Republican Woman of the Year. From 2006 to 2014, she served as Secretary and then also the Chair for the Communication Committee for CCRCC.
Judy loves to read and write about life in Southern Maryland, has published numerous articles and has worked with her daughter and author, Amy Schisler, on literary projects. Judy and Richard have been married for over 50 years and are active members of Jesus the Good Shepherd Catholic Church.
Patt Parker | Founding President 2003
Patt Parker was the founding President of the Republican Women Leaders of Calvert in 2003. Patt was active in the Maryland Federation of Republican Women's organization for years, serving as President and was also the 2nd Vice President of the National Federation of Republican Women.
Patt also served as the Public Relations Chair for the National Federation of Republican Women and the Arizona Federation of Republican Women.