Republican Ladies, if you ever wanted to be more involved in the issues at your local level or state level,here is a great opportunity to learn more about the ins and outs of our great state. Grooming Republican women to take on leadership roles at all levels is what this program is all about. Arizona needs you! Consider applying today.
What is the Dodie Londen Series? When was it founded and why?
In 2007, Christine J. Toretti launched the Winning Women: Leadership for the New Century initiative in Arizona to engage more women in the party as voters, donors and leaders. A resident of Tucson, Arizona, Christine J. Olson, CEO of S.W. Jack Drilling Co. and Pennsylvania’s GOP National Committeewoman, accepted the challenge to spearhead this effort in Arizona and established the Dodie Londen Excellence in Public Service Series in January 2007.
The Dodie Londen Series is an annual training program for Republican women in Arizona that prepares women to be more effective leaders in government, politics, and in the community. Participants each have a goal to increase their level of involvement in public life as party leaders, elected or appointed officials, as grassroots activists, and/or as community leaders.
Each year a class of talented women representing all regions of Arizona will participate in intensive training sessions over the course of nine months to gain information, tools and skills to enhance their civic and political participation. This executive training program for Republican women is modeled after the successful Anne B. Anstine Excellence in Public Service Series, which began in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 2002 and the Lugar Excellence in Public Service Series founded in the state of Indiana in 1990.
How much time do class members spend with the Dodie Londen Series?
Class members participate in 9 required training sessions beginning in October and concluding in June of each year. Class members travel to different parts of Arizona to attend a training session each month. Each month, the Dodie Londen Class gathers in Tucson, Phoenix, Flagstaff and other parts of Arizona for a one-day training program. Class members typically arrive on Thursday evening for an optional networking dinner and spend Friday from 8am to 4pm participating in a training session. There are two exceptions to this type of schedule. The state government session is scheduled when the legislature is in session. Also, during the month of May, the Dodie Londen Class meets in Washington, DC for 2 ½ days from Tuesday evening through Thursday evening for a federal government session. This session is a national meeting of all state programs.
How much does the Dodie Londen Series cost a class member?
When accepted to the program, class members pay a one-time $150 participation fee. Some class members have paid this fee personally while others have had this fee paid by their employer or local Republican committee. Additionally, class members are responsible for travel costs to and from the monthly training sessions including parking. The Dodie Londen Series pays for hotel accommodations, meals and other program costs.
How are participants chosen each year for the Dodie Londen Series?
Class members are chosen through a two-tier selection process. First, applicants must submit a written application due May 1st. The selection committee comprised of advisory board members select finalists from a review of the written applications. Finalists are offered a personal interview with members of the selection committee. Interviews take place in late May of every year. For an application or more information, contact Bernadette S. Comfort, executive director at 
520-609-6347
.
Who was Dodie Londen?
One of Arizona’s grandest ladies and certainly the Grand Dame of the Arizona Republican Party, AZ-TV Chairman Dodie Londen was born May 31, 1930 on a farm near Holdredge, Nebraska. She graduated from Barnes Business School in Denver, Colorado and went to work in Denver as a secretary. In 1951, she married Jack Londen and in July of 1962 they moved their family of six to Arizona.
Through her selfless service to her church, charitable organizations and the Republican Party, Dodie will be remembered as a world-class leader, mentor and friend. Dodie’s political activities and accomplishments are legendary.
As the first woman ever to serve as Chairman of the Arizona Republican party, Dodie used her professional leadership, wisdom and kindness to lead the party to unprecedented prominence and national respect. Her legacy of financial stability and open door policy will serve the Republican Party for years to come. As one political reporter wrote, “She did more to unite the GOP than anyone else in decades…a tough act to follow.”
She served as the Treasurer and Program Chairman for the National Federation of Republican Women and President of the Arizona Federation of Republican Women. She was active in numerous political campaigns and counted President Ronald Reagan as a close friend. With all of her political achievements, she considered being a precinct committeeman one of her most important political positions.
Dodie once said, “I believe an individual should be judged by his or her record of commitment, performance and achievement.” Even by those high standards, Dodie truly achieved greatness!
