The official name of our Chapter was From the Heart Romance Writers, Chapter #177 of Romance Writers of America. FTHRW started when several people realized there were a number of RWA members online who didn’t have access to a local Chapter.
The idea for an internet-wide, online RWA Chapter was the easy part; putting it all into effect was much more challenging. After months of board meetings and hard work, the Chapter was formed.
On November 13, 1997 the Policies & Procedures were voted on. The chapter was incorporated as a nonprofit organization on May 11, 1998. By June 14, 1998, the Chapter had 36 members, and continued to grow.
Laura Mills Alcott, owner of The Romance Club, was the Chapter’s Founder and first President. For many years, The Romance Club was From The Heart’s sponsor and the chapter owes its founding and early existence to Laura and a small group of other dedicated writers who worked to make their vision a reality.
We believe From the Heart Romance Writers is the answer for all those people wanting continuous contact with other RWA members who are interested in the same thing they are: Writing Romance. And not only that but Writing the Best Romance possible.
We’d like to thank all the Founding Members of From the Heart Romance Writers:
Laura Mills Alcott
Ruth D. Kerce
Lori Soard
Sally Painter
Beth Linden
Chris Bossert
Shelia Sneed
Becky McGraw
Diane Byrd
Suzanne Barr
2022
President: Shirley Tudhope
Vice-President Programs: Connie Bretes
Vice-President Communications: Tami Blankenship
Vice-President Communications: Jennifer Britt
Secretary: Jessica Jayne
Treasurer: Todd McGee
Webmasters: Brynna Curry and Connie Bretes
Workshops Chair: Connie Bretes
Productivity Forum Moderator: Cheryl Pitones Rider
Critique Forum Moderator: Ana Morgan
2021
President: Shirley Tudhope
Vice-President Programs:Connie Bretes
Vice-President Communications: Laura Russell
Secretary: Jessica Jayne
Treasurer: Rae-Lynn (Arel) Jansen
Webmasters: Marie Benesh and Merien Grey
Workshops Co-Chairs: Linda (Ruchama) Burrell and Christine Grissom
Special Programs/Webinars: Christine Grissom
Productivity Forum Moderator: Cheryl Pitones Rider
Critique Forum Moderator: Ana Morgan
2020
President: Shirley Tudhope
Vice-President Programs:Connie Bretes
Vice-President Communications: Laura Russell
Secretary: Jessica Jayne
Treasurer: Rae-Lynn (Arel) Jansen
Webmasters: Marie Benesh and Merien Grey
Membership Committee Chair: Marlene Urso
Workshops Co-Chairs: Linda (Ruchama) Burrell and Christine Grissom
Special Programs/Webinars: Christine Grissom and Kim Owen
PFTH Contest: Leanne Bristow and Kimberley Warmke
Productivity Forum Moderator: Cheryl Pitones Rider
Critique Forum Moderator: Ana Morgan
Storm Plotters Forum Moderator: Amanda Murphy
2019
President: Shirley Tudhope
Vice-President Programs:Connie Bretes
Vice-President Communications: Laura Russell
Secretary: Jessica Jayne
Treasurer: Rae-Lynn (Arel) Jansen
Webmasters: Marie Benesh and Merien Grey
Membership Committee Chair: Marlene Urso
Workshops Co-Chairs: Linda (Ruchama) Burrell and Christine Grissom
Special Programs/Webinars: Christine Grissom and Kim Owen
PFTH Contest: Leanne Bristow and Kimberley Warmke
Productivity Forum Moderator: Cheryl Pitones Rider
Critique Forum Moderator: Ana Morgan
Storm Plotters Forum Moderator: Amanda Murphy
2018
President: Shirley Tudhope
Vice-President Programs:Connie Bretes
Vice-President Communications: Laura Russell
Secretary: Jessica Jayne
Treasurer: Rae-Lynn (Arel) Jansen
Webmasters: Marie Benesh and Merien Grey
Membership Committee Chair: Marlene Urso
Workshops Co-Chairs: Linda (Ruchama) Burrell and Christine Grissom
Special Programs/Webinars: Christine Grissom and Kim Owen
PFTH Contest: Leanne Bristow and Kimberley Warmke
Productivity Forum Moderator: Cheryl Pitones Rider
Critique Forum Moderator: Ana Morgan
Storm Plotters Forum Moderator: Amanda Murphy
2017 & 2016
President: Ana Morgan
Vice President-Programs: Wendi Sotis
Vice President-Communication: Connie Bretes
Secretary: Kathryn Daugherty
Treasurer: Amanda Murphy
Beta Reader’s Group: Renee Ann Miller
Critique Chair: Ana Morgan
Membership Committee Chair (Chapter Representative): Marlene Urso
Procrastinators Loop Moderator: Cheryl Pitones Rider
Social Media Chair: Carol Malone
WebMaster: Marie Benesh, Assistant: Merien Grey
Workshop Chair: Wendi Sotis
Member Recognition Chair: Christine Grissom
US Copyright Office DMCA designated agent: President Ana Morgan
2016 Contest Chair: LeAnne Bristow
2017 Contest Communications Co-Chair: Laura Correa
2017 Contest Judge Assignment Co-Chair: Wendi Sotis
2017 Contest Unpublished Author Division Co-Chair: Kimberly Warmke
2017 Contest PA-Para Category Chair: Wendi Sotis
2017 Contest Published Author Division Co-Chair: Holly Cortelyou
2017 Election Nomination: Linda Rees
2015 & 2014
President: Marie Benesh
VP Programs: Renee Ann Miller
VP Communications: Mary Taylor-Ambra
Secretary: Ana Morgan
Treasurer: Betsy Gray
Membership Committee Chair (Chapter Representative): Marlene Urso
Mentorship Committee: Amanda Murphy
Critique Chair: Ana Morgan
Workshops: Wendi Sotis
Contest Chair: Wendi Sotis
Procrastinators Loop Moderator: Nicola McKenna w/a Nikki Weston
Election Nomination: Merien Grey
2013
President – Colleen McCready
VP-Programs – Ana Morgan
VP-Communications – Dawn Wolzein
Secretary – Ami Weaver
Treasurer – Amy Bailey-Olle
Membership Committee Chair (Chapter Representative): Marlene Urso
Beta Reader’s Group: Renee Ann Miller
Critique Chair: Ana Morgan
Mentorship Chair: Amanda Murphy
Workshops: Wendi Sotis
Procrastinators Loop Moderator: Nicola McKenna w/a Nikki Weston
2012
President – Colleen McCready
VP-Programs – Ana Morgan
VP-Communications – Dawn Wolzein
Secretary – Ami Weaver
Treasurer – Amy Bailey-Olle
Workshop Chair – Carole Wyatt, Asst: Wendi Sotis
Membership Committee Chair (Chapter Representative): Marlene Urso
Newsletter Editor – Karen Cote
Amanda Murphy, mentorship committee
2011
President (until October): Nikki Enlow
November/December President: Colleen McCready
Vice President-Programs: Jennifer Herrington, Misty Dietz
Vice President-Communications: DeAnn Sicard
Treasurer: Amy Bailey-Olle
Secretary: Lee Lopez
Membership Committee Chair (Chapter Representative): Marlene Urso
2010
President: Carolyn Hughey
VP Communications: Lise Horton
VP Programs: Amanda Murphy
Treasurer: Lori Larson
Secretary: Stephanie Shackelford
Membership Committee Chair (Chapter Representative): Marlene Urso
2009
President – Carolyn Hughey
VP Communications – Catherine Chant
VP Programs – Deb Julienne
Secretary – Stephanie Shackelford
Treasurer – Lori Larson.
Critique: Jaclyn Dibona
Membership Recognition: Michelle Libby
Membership Committee Chair (Chapter Representative): Marlene Urso
Membership Program Chair: Helen Taylor, Kristi Knight
PAN Liaison: Mona Risk
PRO Liaison: Mary Eason
Workshops: Marie Benesh, Sienna Condy, Ann Youmans,
Public Advisor: Carol Wood
Webmaster: Catherine Chant Asst: Chirstine Nelson
2008
Barb Webb, President (president@fthrw.com)
Marie Benesh, Vice-President (vicepresident@fthrw.com)
Shoshana Brown, Secretary (secretary@fthrw.com)
Connie Barbour, Treasurer (treasurer@fthrw.com)
Roseann Armstrong—Quotes (monthly)
Connie Barbour—Formats articles, New Releases (monthly)
Lori Cameron—Proofreader
Anne-Marie Carroll—Formats articles
Catherine Chant—Member News (monthly article)
Jean Drew—Proofreader
Nikki Enlow—Do You Have Any References? (monthly article)
Vicki Lane—Unpublished Interviews
Carrie Lewis—PRO Monthly Column
Ginny Lester—Proofreader for Supplemental Newsletter
Janice Lynn—Straight From The Heart (monthly article)
Kate MacEachern—Book Reviewer (monthly article), formats articles
Ruth Molenaar—Quotes
Luanna S. Nau—Sorts and forwards articles
Mary Paine—Interviews (monthly article)
Eugenia O’Neal—Romance Bytes (monthly article)
Cathy Zornes—Formats articles, Proofreader for Supplemental Newsletter, FTHRW Members
Interviews (monthly article)
Contest Committee Chair: Jodi Lynn Copeland (contest@fthrw.com)
Critique Program Chair: Jennifer Stroka (FTHCritiquers-subscribe@yahoo.com)
Critique Program Co-Chair: Jaclyn Di Bona
Critique Program Co-Chair: Lucy Farago
Critique Program Co-Chair: Joanne Barnaba
Member Recognition Committee Chair: Open (memberrecognition@fthrw.com)
Membership Committee Chair (Chapter Representative): Marlene Urso
(membership@fthrw.com)
Mentorship Program Committee Chair: Helen Taylor (mentorship@fthrw.com)
Mentorship Program Co-Chair: Kristi Knight
Newsletter Editor: Denise Pattison (newsletter@fthrw.com)
Assistant Newsletter Editor: position open
Assistant Supplemental Newsletter Editor: Laurie Darcey
Program/Workshops Committee: Catherine Chant (workshops@fthrw.com)
Webmaster: Catherine Chant (webmaster@fthrw.com)
Website Assistant: Christine Nelson
PAN Liaison: Carolyn Hughey (pan@fthrw.com)
PRO Liaison Co-Chair: Carrie Lewis (pro@fthrw.com)
PRO Liaison Co-Chair: Mary Eason
Past President: Cai Smith
2007
Contest Committee Chair: Jodi Lynn Copeland
Critique Program Chair: Helen Taylor
Critique Program Co-Chair: Cris Goodwin
Critique Program Co-Chair: Joan Frantschuk
Critique Program Co-Chair: Mona Risk
Member Recognition Committee Chair: Tricia Johnson
Membership Committee Chair (Chapter Representative): Marlene Urso
Mentorship Program Committee Chair: Mona Risk
Mentorship Program Co-Chair: Helen Taylor
Newsletter Editor: Denise Pattison
Assistant Newsletter Editor: Amber Wentworth
Assistant Supplemental Newsletter Editor: Laurie Darcey
Program/Workshops Committee Co-Chair: Nikki Enlow
Publicity Committee Chair: Carol R. Wood
Webmaster: Catherine Chant
PAN Liaison: Janice Lynn
PRO Liaison Co-Chair: Carrie Lewis
PRO Liaison Co-Chair: Mary Eason
Past President: Cai Smith
2006
President: Cai Smith
Vice President: Barb Webb
Secretary: Janic Lynn
Treasurer: Kristi Knight
Contest: Jodi Lynn Compeland
Critique: Helen Taylor
Member Recognition: Tricia Johnson
Membership Committee: Marlene Urso
Newsletter: Denise Pattison
Asst. Newsletter: Amber Wentworth
Workshops: Marie Benesh
Publicity: Christine Ashworth
Webmaster: Catherine Chant
2005
President: Cai Smith
Vice President: Susan Lanier-Graham,
Secretary: Carolyn Hughey
Treasurer: Kelley Zeringue
Contest Committee Chair: Jodi Lynn Copeland
Critique Program Chair: Sheila Rae Mohs
Member Recognition Committee Chair: Tammy Johnson
Membership Committee Chair (Chapter Representative): Marlene Urso
Mentorship Program Committee Chair: Tricia Johnson
Newsletter Editor: Kristine Johnson
Program/Workshops Committee Co-Chair: Manisa Lyles
Program/Workshops Committee Co-Chair: Stephanie Lynch
Publicity Committee Chair: Christine Ashworth
Webmaster: Catherine Chant
2004
President: Leslie Dicken
Vice President: Susan Lanier-Graham,
Secretary: Tawny Weber
Treasurer: Monica Jeffers
Contest Committee Chair: Beth Burgoon
Critique Program Chair: Cai Smith
Leadership Development Committee Chair: Glenda Elder
Member Recognition Committee Chair: Tammy Johnson
Membership Committee Chair (Chapter Representative): Carolyn Hughey
Mentorship Program Committee Chair: Deb Julienne
Newsletter Editor: Susan D. Lanier-Graham
Newsletter Asst. Editor: Dawn Tomasko
Program/Workshops Committee Co-Chair: Nan Strebeck
Program/Workshops Committee Co-Chair: Stephanie Lynch
Publicity Committee Chair: Tawny Weber
Website Committee Chair: Lisa Paitz Spindler
2003
President: Leslie Dicken
Vice President: Kathleen Long
Secretary: Tawny Weber
Treasurer: Monica Jeffers
2002
President: Sally Painter Kale
President: Elaine Hopper
Vice President: vacant
Secretary: Kim Cox
Treasurer: Betty Hanawa
Publicity Chair: Kathleen Long
Buddy Program: Robin Bayne, Asst: Beverly Shippley.
Mentor Program: Denise Koch
Program Committee Chair: Jess Bimberg
Sister Liaison Committee Chair: Su Kopil
Contest Chair – Kim Cox
Member Coordinator– Pam Johnson
Website Chair – Ruth Kerce
Scholarship Chair –Open?
Newsletter Editor/Chair – Open
Membership Recognition – Cathy McDavid (New)
2000
President: Sally Painter Kale
Vice President: Su Kopil
Secretary: Beth Linden
Treasurer: Kim Cox
Member Coordinator: Pam Johnson
Newsletter: Laura Mills Alcott
1998-1999
President: Lori Soard
Vice President: Sally Painter Kale
Treasurer: Kim Cox
Newsletter: Su Kopil
Contest coordinator: Beth Linden.