Looking Back, The First 25 years Magic has touched us from our very founding when Joleen Reynolds, then a Deputy President of the Texas Federation of Republican Women (TFRW), gathered a group of eight women to form a new Republican women’s club. It was to serve that part of Houston called the Magic Circle which is now known as the Galleria area.
The organizational meeting was held in the summer of 1978 at the home of Aneita Weaver. In September, 125 women attended a membership coffee at the home of Penny Butler. Honored were founding members who were wives of elected officials or candidates for office: Nellie Connally (Governor John Connally, presidential candidate), Ann Mather (Russ Mather, Chairman of Harris County Republican Party), Susan Baker (James A. Baker III, candidate for Attorney General) and Eleanor Archer, the mother of Congressman Bill Archer.
In January 1979, Magic Circle federated with 186 members, setting a new state record. We were immediately the fourth largest club in Texas and the largest in Harris County, with the distinction of having as members the wives of two 1980 presidential candidates.
Barbara Bush was honored as a founding member upon her return from China where her husband had been serving as State Department Liaison Officer. She hosted our second meeting in her home. In 1983 she again graciously hosted us at her residence, this time at the Vice President's home at the Naval Observatory, which provided the perfect finale for our first Magic Circle trip to Washington, D.C.
Congressman Bill Archer arranged tours for the members who made the journey. Our president's brother, Pete Roussel, Press Secretary to President Ronald Reagan, hosted a truly extraordinary event: Marlin Fitzwater, Sam Donaldson and Helen Thomas met with us and fielded our questions and Magic Circle was only five years old!
Events, programs and achievements over the years have been the result of the efforts of a remarkable group of women, incomparable opportunities, and the convergence of time and place - magic indeed.
Looking Back, The First 25 years
WE BELIEVE...
That the right of the individual to achieve the best that is within him, as long as he respects the rights of others, is the source of our nation’s strength;
That government exists to protect the freedom of opportunity in which each individual’s creative ability can flourish;
That government activity should be limited to those things which people cannot do at all, or cannot do so well for themselves;
That the most effective government is government closest to the people;
That those who cannot provide for themselves should be assisted by both government and society, but that every effort should be made to help them become self-supporting, productive citizens with pride in their independence;
That equal rights, equal justice and equal opportunity belong to all, regardless of race, creed, age, sex or national origin;
That the preservation of our nation and the security of our citizens depend upon the Constitution, the laws and the courts, and that respect for them are the responsibility of every individual;
That government is accountable for maintaining sound money and responsible economy. Individual rights, liberties and properties are continually eroded when citizens are oppressed by excessive taxation, inflation, government waste and over-regulation;
That government is responsible for national defense and that only a strong America can remain a free America;
That it is absolutely essential to maintain a strong national defense posture in order that we may at all times negotiate from a position of strength, not weakness, in our continuing efforts toward world peace and friendship;
That these concepts are the foundation of our national strength and that the Republican Party, which is committed to their preservation, is the party of today and the party for the future.