For years, many men have been part of the GÇ£good ole boysGÇ¥: informal social or political networking groups that meet to advance their careers, talk politics, talk sports or play golf.
Well, in 1981, Linda Robb, wife of former Senator Chuck Robb, with former state senator Emilie Miller, and three or four other Democratic women felt that we needed a network too. And thus we saw the birth of the Good Ole Girls: an informal group of Democratic women activists, including women elected officials and former electeds who get together to network, talk politics, encourage one another to run for office, support Democratic women candidates (and Democratic men who are receptive to issues important to us), talk politics, share pictures of the children, grandchildren and pets, and talk politics.
The Good Ole Girls is not a membership club, there are no annual fees, and there is no Board of Directors, no chairwoman and no annual meeting. ItGÇÖs simply a group of Democratic women activists who meet for brunch at the Tysons Corner Marriott every fifth Sunday of the month, to discuss politics. They come from all over Virginia: Alexandria, Arlington, Falls Church, Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William, Stafford, Fredericksburg, Richmond, Fauquier, and elsewhere. There are about 500 women who are part of this network.
In the past, speakers have included Sen. Mary Margaret Whipple, Sen. Janet Howell, Del. Kris Amundsen, Leslie Byrne, Kate Hanley, and many others. Women candidates get invited to present their campaign platforms. Judy Feder has attended a couple of times, and she spoke to us again today. Other invited guests include, well, the guys. Jim Webb spoke to the group during the primary, and so did Ken Longmeyer, while Andy Hurst attended a couple of months ago and again today. Leslie Byrne represented Jim Webb today, with an inspring speech, while Jim was campaigning in Rappahannock.
The Good Ole Girls are a fun group, not demanding, not financially straining (you pay for your own brunch when you attend), and you meet the most inspiring Democratic women. As far as I can tell, all women elected officials in this area attend several times a year.
If you are interested in networking with the Good Ole Girls, contact me!