A group of Republican women, who joined together a few months ago, received its official charter as Pike County Republican Women Tuesday night.

According to Chapter President Nell Haigh, she along with Shirley Reddoch and Christine Green organized the chapter.

“We had our first organized meeting June 26,” Haigh said. “We have about 41 members and are adding more all the time.”

Alabama Federation of Republican Women President Bobbie Lou Leigh presented the organization with its charter.

“Women are the backbone of the Republican party,” Leigh said. “We are going to take the House in Alabama in 2010.”

The group meets every fourth Wednesday at noon.

“As we continue to grow, we will meet in various locations,” Haigh said. “We have a special Republican candidate at every meeting.”

“Our goal is to have Republican candidates elected to office and to restore conservative thinking,” Haigh said.

The Republican Women stand for the following Republican core values: freedom and individual liberty, fiscal responsibility, limited government, low taxes, individual initiative, family values, strong national security and judicial restraint. Several Republican candidates were on hand at the presentation, including Ray Boles, who is running for District 30 in the Alabama Senate against current Senator Wendell Mitchell, Shannon Clark and Clif Hastings who are running for Circuit Judge for Pike and Coffee counties, Terry Dunn for state treasurer, Bill Johnson and James Potts for Governor, Dale Peterson for commissioner of agriculture, Susan Grace represented her husband Dorman Grace, who is running for commissioner of agriculture. Also Probate Judge Wes Allen served as the time keeper for the speakers. Haigh said the organization invites the public, but asks that they let her know if they are going to attend. The cost for membership is $30 for women and $15 for men or associate members.