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Featured Past President: Leadership & Legacy

Posted on 03/14/2026 4:18 pm

Paula D. Willoughby

VFRW President | 2006–2008

Overview

During Paula D. Willoughby’s presidency, the Virginia Federation of Republican Women was the sixth largest state federation in the National Federation of Republican Women, with 66 clubs and nearly 3,000 members. Her tenure focused on leadership development, membership growth, and strengthening the Federation’s role in Republican political engagement across Virginia.

Leadership & Service

While serving as VFRW President, Paula also represented the Federation in several leadership roles, including:

Member, Republican Party of Virginia Board
Appointed to the NFRW Board of Trustees
Advisory Boards:
- Women’s Federal Forum
- Jennifer Byler Institute
- Office of Lt. Governor Bill Bolling
- Congressman Eric Cantor
- Congresswoman JoAnn Davis

Key Initiatives

During her presidency, several organizational improvements and resources were introduced:

Updated the VFRW Leadership Manual, distributed via CD
Reinstated traveling workshops for clubs across Virginia
Developed new training materials including:
- How to Lobby
- 101 Ways to Win Members
- Republican Woman A-Z

Political Landscape

The period brought both challenges and victories for Republicans in Virginia. Senator George Allen was no longer in office and Congresswoman JoAnn Davis passed away during this time. Despite these losses, Republicans maintained a majority of 45 legislators in the Virginia General Assembly.

Several VFRW members were elected to office, including:

Senator Jeannemarie Devolites
Senator Jill Vogel
Delegate Annie B. Crockett-Stark
Delegate Melanie Rapp

VFRW also sponsored an intern to NFRW and awarded two political scholarships to young Republican women.

Legislative Day Programs

Two Legislative Day events were held in Richmond at the Marriott.

First Legislative Day

Breakfast hosted by Delegate Phil Hamilton
Speakers included:
- Senator John Watkins
- Delegate Rust
- Delegate Robert Hurt
- RPV Chairman Ed Gillespie

Second Legislative Day

Hosted in partnership with NFRW and the Maryland Federation
Welcomed 12 young political women from the Democratic Women’s Union of Mongolia
Participants toured the Capitol and met with Attorney General Bob McDonnell

Speakers included:

Lt. Governor Bill Bolling
Senator Jill Vogel
Delegate Bill Janis
Delegate Annie Crockett-Stark
Delegate Terri Suit
Cessie Howell
Former Lt. Governor John Hager

Fundraising

A highly successful fundraiser, the “Elephant Extravaganza,” was hosted at the home of Congressman Tom Davis and Senator Jeannemarie Devolites Davis.

State Conventions

2007 Convention – Richmond, Virginia
City Renaissance Omni Hotel

Highlights included:

Reception hosted by Congressman and Mrs. Eric Cantor at Tobacco Company in Shockoe Bottom
Presidential Straw Poll
Speakers included:
- Congressman Eric Cantor
- Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn
- Mrs. Jim Gilmore
- Former Attorney General Jerry Kilgore
- NFRW President Sue Lynch (mini campaign school)

2008 Convention – Newport News, Virginia
Newport News Marriott at City Center

The convention celebrated “55 Years Strong” for the Federation.

Highlights included:

Yorktown Drum & Fife Corps welcome
Proclamation from the Mayor of Newport News
Speakers included:
- Congressman Tom Davis
- Former Governor Jim Gilmore
- Delegate Bob Marshall
- Author Peter W. Barnes
- NFRW President Shirley Sadler

National Federation Convention

In 2008, Paula represented VFRW at the NFRW Convention in Palm Springs, California.