Executive Committee

Michelle Crawford grew up watching her parents involved in politics. But it wasn’t until watching her own boys grow up under administrations and policies she couldn’t support that she realized the importance of active volunteering.

After attending her first Republican Women meeting in Scott County she was hooked.  Being in a room with like-minded, America-loving women inspired her. She served SCRW as Vice President 2016-2017 and President 2018-2019. She’s also currently serving as Vice-Chair of the Scott County Republicans (2021-2023).

Her passion is to change the narrative that you can’t be both an educated woman and a conservative woman. You CAN be a strong leader, wife, and mother and still stand firm in traditional values.  Michelle also encourages other women to get active and make their voices heard. She firmly believes you’ll never find a more inclusive, encouraging group than inspired, conservative, women on a mission together.

Michelle graduated from the University of Northern Iowa and is a Regional Vice President/Independent Consultant with wellness company, Arbonne. She has been married to her high school sweetheart, Clint, for 23 years. They have three boys 19, 17, and 10.

Including kids in the conversations from an early age gives the power back to parents instead of relying on the media, social media, educators, and other outside influences to instill ideas in our impressionable young ones. After all they are our future.

Gloria Mazza became involved in politics when first volunteering for Mitt Romney’s campaign and logging eight hundred volunteer hours. Discovering the desire to stay involved in politics she became the volunteer coordinator for the Republican Party of Polk County and volunteered at the county office. She was named Volunteer of the Year in 2013.

Gloria has an impressive resume:

Currently – Polk County (Iowa’s largest county) Republican Party Chair

2020-2021 National Fed. of Republican Women, Vice-Chair, Caring for America Committee

2019-2020 IowaFRW, President

2016-2017 IowaFRW, Vice President and Membership Chair

2014-2015 IowaFRW, Campaign Committee Chair

2014-2016 Executive Director, Polk County Republican Party

While President of the Polk County Republican Women from 2014-2015, the National Federation of Republican Women recognized the club for the Highest Percentage of Membership Growth in the country. Now called Capitol Region Republican Women, the club has expanded into two neighboring counties.

In 2019 Gloria was selected as an Iowa Militia Honorary Colonel by Iowa’s first elected female Governor at Kim Reynolds’ inauguration.

Gloria’s professional career spanned 23 years with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources as Outdoor Skills Coordinator for the State of Iowa. She enjoyed pheasant hunts with Governor Branstad and a deer hunt with rock and roller Ted Nugent.

After moving to New Jersey for 10 years with her husband Tom, Gloria is back in Iowa and resides in Clive.  She has one adult daughter and two grandchildren.

Gwen Ecklund has extensive experience in service to the public, both in politics and non-profits.  She was past state president of Iowa Federal of Republican Women twice, and served in various offices.  Since 1990 she’s also stayed active at the National FRW level participating on several committees, as well as the Board of Directors and Member at Large.

Gwen has served as director of the Big Sioux Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, Donna Reed Foundation for the Performing Arts and the Iowa Republican Legislative Majority Fund.  She was Organization Director for Tom Latham for Congress.

Gwen has recently been appointed as Iowa chair of Maggie’s List, a political action committee which is focused on electing conservative women to federal public office.

Amy Meskimen is the newly elected Secretary of the Iowa Federation of Republican Women.  Amy became involved in politics a few years ago after being invited to a Scott County Republican Women’s luncheon. She then became a SCRW member prior to the 2020 election. Amy has spent a lot of time learning about the importance of good leadership at all levels of government, right down to our local school boards.

Amy resides in Eldridge, Iowa with her husband and four school-age children. From Elementary to High School, they keep her and her husband busy with their activities and schedules.

Amy graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a degree in Elementary Education. She then attended Western Illinois University where she obtained her Educational Leadership. She taught many years in both the private and public schools. She is now employed by Midwest HomeBuyers in Davenport, Iowa and volunteers for One Eighty, a Christian-based addiction recovery organization, in Davenport.