GOP Women Look Back, Look Ahead

Perhaps it was fitting that in the neighboring conference room there was a bridal show going on, but weddings weren't on the minds of several of the top women in the Republican Party who met at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center as part of the on Sunday afternoon.

After opening remarks by SCGOP Chairman Chad Connelly, South Carolina Federation of Republican Women Chair Charm Altman, RNC Co-Chair (pictured), Sharon Day and author Ginny Dent Brant addressed an audience of approximately 200.

Day and Brant spoke about the importance of uniting behind the eventual nominee for president, which could be a challenge after a .

Following Day and Brant, a panel of GOP veterans shared war stories and helpful hints for those women just starting out with the party.

There is little question that the role of women in the GOP has changed over the last two decades or so. They have moved from behind the scenes and supporters of male candidates, to leadership positions in national races, as the prominence of Sarah Palin and Michelle Bachmann attests. Additionally, few organiations, regardless of gender, have as much clout as .

But the change has also made its way to the local level, with women in leadership as county chairs in Spartanburg and Greenville Counties.

LaDonna Ryggs, who is the GOP chair in Spartanburg, has seen the role of women expand in her professional career. "It used to be that women were the backbone, the envelope-lickers and the organizers of the party," Ryggs told Patch. "And a lot of women still perform that role. But there is so much more opportunity available for women now. Coming out of college, I never would have dreamed I could be in the position I'm in now."

Among those in attendance at the event were Rep. Joe Wilson, State Attorney General Alan Wilson and Karen Santorum, wife of GOP candidate for president, Rick Santorum.

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