Blog

(MONDAY, Feb. 9, 2026) – Six Iowa Federation of Republican Women (IowaFRW) members have been appointed to serve on the 2026-2027 Board of Directors for the National Federation of Republican Women (NFRW), the 70,000-member parent organization for IowaFRW. These Republican Women leaders will travel to Washington, D.C., in March for the Spring Board Meeting and Legislative Day on Capitol Hill.

“I welcome these talented ladies to the board and thank them for accepting these appointments,” said NFRW President Martha Jenkins, from Chapel Hill, N.C. “Residing in the first in the nation caucus state, our Iowa members are on the front lines of conservativism and bring a unique perspective to the national organization. Thank you for answering the call. I look forward to seeing you in D.C. in March!”

IowaFRW has a long history of active participation at the national level. The national board members from Iowa serving in 2026-2027 are:

Lori Leonard Reyman, Holstein, is chair of the NFRW Public Relations Committee, and voting National Board member.

As state president of IowaFRW, Denise Bubeck, Grimes, has a voting position on the National Board.

Gwen Ecklund, Denison, is vice chair of the NFRW Resolutions Committee and member of the Fundraising Committee.

Heather Boustead, Urbandale, is a member of the NFRW Membership Committee.

Kathy Pearson, Cedar Rapids, serves on the NFRW Resolutions Committee.

Julie Ulrich, Olin, serves on the NFRW Agriculture Committee, and Legislative and Research Committee, which includes the Keep Nine Subcommittee.

State President Bubeck said that she is “incredibly proud” to have six Iowa Federation of Republican Women leaders appointed to the NFRW Board of Directors. “These women reflect the heart and strength of our Iowa sisterhood and the strong leadership tradition found in clubs across our state. As we head to Washington, D.C., we carry Iowa’s voice, our shared values, and a commitment to electing Republicans at every level.”

Additional bio information:

Lori Leonard Reyman is a member of Northwest Iowa Republican Women, PR Chair for IowaFRW, member of the IowaFRW Program Committee, and serves on the Ida County GOP Executive Committee.

IowaFRW President Denise Bubeck is a former president and current member of Capitol Region Republican Women and serves on the Polk County GOP Executive Committee.

Gwen Ecklund is president of Crawford County Republican Women, and member of the IowaFRW Executive Committee, serving as Presidential Advisor and Parliamentarian. She is a former two-time president of IowaFRW.

Heather Boustead is a member of Capitol Region Republican Women, and serves as IowaFRW secretary and chair of the Membership Committee. Boustead also serves on Polk County GOP Central Committee.

Kathy Pearson is former president and current member of Five Seasons Republican Women, member of the IowaFRW Executive Committee, serving as Presidential Advisor, chair of the IowaFRW Legislative and Research Committee, and a past president of IowaFRW.

Julie Ulrich is president of Jones County Republican Women, IowaFRW Awards Committee chair, and co-chair of the Americanism & Armed Services Committee, Legislative Committee, and Membership Committee.

The Iowa Federation of Republican Women, founded in Tama County in 1939, unites the voices and values within the Republican Party. The IowaFRW (www.iowafrw.org), with local clubs and members throughout the state, proudly represents the party that first made it possible for women to vote in the United States, and works to increase the effectiveness of women in the cause of good government. IowaFRW members volunteer more than 100,000 hours annually to fulfill our mission of electing Republican candidates, promoting the principles of the Republican Party, educating the public, and informing the media. IowaFRW is a member organization of the National Federation of Republican Women, the largest grassroots Republican women’s organization in the country, founded in 1938.