January 9, 2017 Speaker
Russell J. Ramsland, Jr.
Topic: “Connecting the Dots”
Cathy Reeves, VP Campaigns, Russell J. Ramsland, Jr., Elena Blake, VP Programs and Pat Horak
Claire Shahzad, VP Finance/PAC Treasurer, Margaret Lopez, Russell J. Ramsland, Jr. and Kelly Paulsen
January 20, 2017
Celebrating President Donald Trump Swearing-in Ceremony at Las Colinas Country Club
Teresa Brown, Elena Blake, Mary Jaime, Pat Horak, Nancey Tresler and Margaret Lopez
February 8, 2017
Irving Convention and Visitors Bureau
Annual Hospitality Luncheon
Elena Blake, Pam Brown and Emma Petty
February 13, 2017 Speakers
Audrea Taylor, Topic: Engaging the Next Generation
Pastor Stephen Broden, Topic: Keeping Texas Red by investing in the Black Community
Elena Blake, VP Programs, Audrea Taylor, Pastor Stephen Broden, Pat Horak
February 25, 2017
Ignite - Political Power in Every Young Woman
5th Annual Young Women's Political Leadership Conference
"Igniting the Next Generation of Leaders"
Southern Methodist University
Elena Blake, Stephen Wong and Karen Liu Pang
March 4, 2017 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel DFW Airport
Denton County Lincoln Reagan Dinner with Keynote Speaker The Honorable Rick Santorum
Surprise Guests Diamond and Silk
Elena Blake, VP Mike Pence, Lynn Maher and President Donald Trump
Diamond, Elena Blake and Silk
March 7, 2017
"Postcards for Trump" Party at Kit Whitehill's home in Coppell
Kit Whitehill, Dawn Horton, Elena Blake, Cathy Reeves
March 11, 2017
Cathy Reeves and Elena Blake with Silent Auction Treasure Box donated to Dallas County Republican Party 2017 Annual Reagan Day Dinner, Omni Dallas Hotel.
Guest Speakers: Donald Trump, Jr. and Senator Ted Cruz
Cathy Reeve, Elena Blake
Dawn Horton, Pam Brown, Irving Mayor, The Honorable Beth Van Duyne and Cathy Reeves
March 13, 2017 Meeting
Teresa Beckmeyer, State Executive of Lone Star Voice
Topic: What is Happening in the Texas Legislature and what you can do to stay informed.
Karen Robbins, VP Membership, Monica Ellington, Teresa Beckmeyer, Pat Horak
March 28, 2017
Dallas Regional Chamber State of the State Meeting
With guest speaker The Honorable Greg Abbott
Elena Blake, Holly Reed, Managing Director, External Affairs, Texas Central Partners and Dave Arbuckle, President & CEO David Arbuckle Consulting
April 1, 2017
Ignite Girls Rock! 2107
Arts, Culture and Politics at the Crow Collection
Special Guest Honoree Irving Mayor Beth Van Duyne
Elena Blake, The Honorable Beth Van Duyne and Katie Wallach
Elena Blake, Chris Bhatti and Olia Bosovik
April 6, 2017
TFRW Legislative Day at the Capitol Austin, Texas
Susie Lowry, Pat Horak and Elena Blake
TFRW members with Representative Jason Villalba
Sommer Franks and Elena Blake promoting TFRW Convention
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Elena Blake
April 10, 2017 Meeting
Speaker - John Guandolo, Founder of the Understanding the Threat
Topic: The U.S. Jihadi Threat: Information Warfare & Imminent Danger"
Speaker - John Guandolo, Founder of the Understanding the Threat
John Guandolo and Elena Blake
John Guandolo and Sharon Kappers
May 3, 2017
Re-Dedication Ceremony of Founder's Plaza at Centennial Park in Irving
Elena Blake, Public Relations Chair, 2003 Centennial Celebration Task Force
Centennial Park dedicated October 4, 2003
Centennial Task Force Committee Members' Plaque
Pat Horak, Marvin Randle, Centennial Celebration Task Force Co-Chairperson and Elena Blake
May 8, 2017 meeting
Speaker: Faith Johnston, District Attorney of Dallas County
Topic: "Get to Know Your DA"
Stephanie Fargo, Elena Blake, The Honorable Faith Johnston and Pat Horak
May 21, 2017
Annual DFW Dragon Boat, Kite and Lantern Festival at Lake Carolyn in Las Colinas
Elena Blake and David Arbuckle enjoying the festivities.
May 31, 2107
IRW participated in the 2017 Barbara Bush Literacy Library Project by donating twelve Dr. Seuss and Big Nate books to the Irving Public Library. The Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy was founded by our former first Lady on March 6, 1989. Since that time the foundation has awarded nearly $20 million to build or expand over six hundred family literacy programs in forty-seven states.
Michael Kirwan, Functional Team Supervisor, Irving Public Library received the books from Cathy Reeves and Elena Blake.
July 4, 2017 at the July 4th parade in Lake Highlands.
Elena Blake, Colonel Allen West and Susie Lowry
July 21, 2017 at the Grayson County Texas Republican Party Annual Luncheon
James Dickey, Republican Party of Texas Chair with friends
August 10, 2017
The Grand Opening Celebration for Fire Station No. 12, the department's newest facility included remarks from Fire Chief Victor Conley, council members and city staff followed by a ribbon cutting.
Elena Blake participating in the ceremonial Wet-down/Push-back of the fire Apparatus.
August 23, 2017
Dr. Carafano moderated a panel discussion on The State of Religious Freedom Worldwide at The Fort Worth Club. Dr. Carafano is an expert on National Security and Foreign Policy and is with The Heritage Foundation.
Elena, James Carafano, PH.D., Susan Fountain and Terry Lynch.
September 12, 2017
Vice President of Membership Karen Robbins' project to honor our First Responders. Wonderful Sweets were delivered to Fire Station 4.
Elena Blake with Captain Bill Anderson and First Responder.
September 15, 2107
The Honorable Brad LaMorgese, Irving City Councilman, Elena and Lynn Maher attended the Ron J. Anderson, M.D. Public Servant Leader Award Dinner hosted by
Christians in Public Service (CIPS), Inc. - a 501 (c)(3) nonpartisan, nondenominational organization.
CIPS exists to equip and build up Christ following public servant leaders for the work of serving, leading and governing diverse consituencies.
September 16, 2017
Kris, Elena, Nancy and Kelly with Janine Turner at the Movie Grill. Her movie “Social Tyranny” is a must see for all college students. College campuses across America today are fraught with riots. Citizens of various political opinions are silenced because of their views. It appears that freedom of speech is no longer tolerated in America. Civil discourse no longer flows through the veins of Americans. Refusal to listen, refusal to compromise, refusal to accept differences has become the status quo. How have we allowed this to happen? How can we stop it? “Social Tyranny: Destroying America’s Freedom of Speech” outlines the origin, cause, and solution to the silencing permeating America today through commentary from Janine Turner, Cathy Gillespie, and Juliette Turner of Constituting America, professors from Yale University and Rice University.
September 30, 2017
NE Tarrant Tea Party Event in Grapevine
Ted Cruz and Elena
Elena, Nancey, Kelly Paulsen, Deanna Metzger and friends
October 19-21, 2017
Thirty-First Texas Federation of Republican Women Biennial Convention, Omni Dallas
Margareta Fratila, Susie Lowry, Elena and Micheline Hudson enjoying the Awards luncheon.
Elena Blake, Clarin Gniffke, Karen Liu Pang, Susie Lowry, Rebecca Pratt and Gwen McAllen at the Senatorial District 16 Caucus.
October 27, 2017
Quynh Chau Stone was honored at the Greater Dallas Asian American Chamber of Commerce 2017 Annual Awards Diversity & Inclusion Program. The Honorable Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas was the keynote speaker. QC received a “Community Service” award for her work with The Source of Hope. QC is the president and founder of TSOH, a non-profit organization delivering over 1,000 meals monthly to the homeless and serve the most vulnerable. Board members and friends congratulate QC at the luncheon. Elena Blake serves on the Board of The Source of Hope.
November 4, 2017
Elena and Pam were honored to attend ChinaAid - “Empowering the Persecuted” Banquet at the Omni Hotel Park West Dallas. ChinaAid is an international non-profit Christian human rights organization committed to promoting religious freedom and the rule of law in China. Group photo include: Paul Wang, Pauline Wang, Harumi Sharp, John Sharp, Pam Brown, Sophia Li and Elena Blake.
November 11, 2017
2017 Veterans Fair hosted by Congressman Kenny Marchant at Liberty Park, Grapevine.
November 13, 2017
Guest Speaker Rich DeOtte with Representative Matt Rinaldi and Elena at the IRW meeting at Fish City Grill.
November 18, 2017
Grassroots Training hosted by Dallas County Republican Party of Texas, Texans for Greg Abbott and the Abbott Champaign at the Hampton Inn & Suites, Dallas.
Elena Blake, Texas GOP Chair James Dickey, Missy Shorey, DCRP Chairwoman and Kelly Paulsen.