Republican Women Patriots Enjoy New Freedoms

East Valley Republican Women Patriots welcomes men

PALM DESERT — If you think you’ve been hearing and reading a great deal about East Valley Republican Women Patriots, it is not your imagination, and you will be hearing more from them leading up to the Nov. 8 general election.

This group has new-found freedoms, including the ability to endorse candidates and support them financially and members are enjoying the privileges.

So, how did they get here?

Many, if not all, of the members were part of the East Valley Republican Women Federated, which was established in 1998. It was part of the National Federation of Republican women that was brought together because of women’s suffrage and women’s right to vote. Through the years many chapters sprung up across the United States and, believe it or not, California was one of the areas that had the largest number of clubs.

In 2021 East Valley Republican Women Federated decided to leave the Federation and become its own entity, according to Joy Miedecke, president. At 1,600 members strong, they asked for a vote and seceded from the National Federation of Republican Women.

The two reasons that caused this to happen were the fact that they were forbidden to endorse candidates and forbidden to give them financial support, according to Miedecke.

Joy Miedecke

Since leaving the Federation “the club has grown by leaps and bounds” and now boasts 2000 members and at least 500 men, Miedecke told Uken Report. The Patriots moved from La Quinta to their new space on El Paseo in Palm Desert in August 2022 where are they are able to spread out in the 11,000 square-foot building. In the building they have room to hold meetings on legislation and action committee meetings every week and “can enjoy the company of close to 100 patriots.”

They host a prayer meeting every other Wednesday at 9 a.m. The building also houses a full retail store with “the most unique items and gifts ever put together,” Miedecke said.

They also have a full movie theatre to show documentaries every Friday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

“(We) also host many Republican candidates and (will) help them win their seats, Miedecke said. “The club is very involved in stopping bad legislation and getting good people elected to office.”

The goals of the Club, according to the group’s website are: