Speakers at Friday’s IFRW dinner included Senator Mike Braun (top left), Governor Eric Holcomb (top right), Attorney General Todd Rokita (lower left) and Congresswoman Victoria Spartz (lower right). (Reporter photos by Stu Clampitt)
On Friday, Aug. 27, the Indiana Federation of Republican Women (IFRW) held both the 39th and 40th annual Tribute to Women awards dinner at the Ritz Charles in Carmel. Due to the pandemic, there was no in-person event in 2020. This year, IFRW recognized women of the year for both 2020 and 2021.
The event saw record numbers in attendance to honor GOP women from across the state.
IFRW President Monica Kozlowski opened the night with her welcome to everyone who worked to make the night and the year a success.
Speakers included Governor Eric Holcomb, Attorney General Todd Rokita, U.S. Senator Mike Braun, Congresswoman Victoria Spartz, Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch, State Auditor Tera Klutz and State Treasurer Kelly Mitchell. Not in attendance but speaking in pre-recorded video messages were both U.S. Senator Todd Young and Indiana Secretary of State Holli Sullivan.
The IFRW Woman of Year was former Indiana Secretary of State Connie Lawson, whom Governor Holcomb called, “Indiana’s own Iron Lady” when thanking her for her 30 years of public service.
Your local Hamilton County Republican Women (HCRW) of the year are Laura Alerding for 2021 and Denise Moe for 2020.
2021 HCRW Woman of the Year Laura Alerding
2021 HCRW Woman of the Year Laura Alerding was both kind enough to take a moment to pose for the Reporter’s camera Friday night. Standing with Alerding are (from left) Indiana State Treasurer Kelly Mitchell, Indiana State Auditor Tera Klutz, IFRW President Monica Kozlowski, NFRW 1st Vice President Eileen Sobjack, and Indiana Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch. (Reporter photo by Stu Clampitt)
From 2010 to present, Laura Alerding was elected or assigned to be a Convention Delegate at the Indiana GOP Conventions. In 2014, Alerding was named Republican of the Year for Washington Township. In February 2016, She and her husband and Jim moved to Noblesville and soon afterward she met Laura Campbell, Hamilton County GOP Chairwoman. Campbell assigned Alerding as a precinct committeeman in Hamilton County. In late 2018, Alerding became a co-chair for the Noblesville GOP Club and participated in GOP parades, volunteered at the GOP 4-H Fair booth and planned several Noblesville GOP Club meetings featuring candidates for various offices in addition to campaigning for several candidates. She continues to co-chair this club.
Alerding ran for Noblesville School Board in 2020. She campaigned for her own office and for Victoria Spartz at the same time during the months leading up to the 2020 general election.
With the help of her husband Jim and other volunteers, Alerding won her election and helped Spartz win her election to be the Congresswoman for District 5.
Alerding’s school board term began in January 2021, at which time she also agreed to be a board member of the Hamilton East Public Library and was placed on the Noblesville Redevelopment Commission as a non-voting member. She and her husband Jim have a combined family of six children and 18 grandchildren.
2020 HCRW Woman of the Year Denise Moe
2020 HCRW Woman of the Year Denise Moe was both kind enough to take a moment to pose for the Reporter’s camera Friday night. Standing with Moe are (from left) Indiana State Treasurer Kelly Mitchell, Indiana State Auditor Tera Klutz, IFRW President Monica Kozlowski, NFRW 1st Vice President Eileen Sobjack, and Indiana Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch. (Reporter photo by Stu Clampitt)
The Republican Party and IFRW has been a big part of Moe’s life since she was a precinct committeeman and a member from her hometown of Merrillville.
Moe has been exceptionally helpful with the Hamilton County GOP’s social media presence. She manages 19 social media pages for elected officials, candidates and party organizations in Hamilton County and is an administrator for several different county groups with tens of thousands of members. She personally has over 30,000 social media connections on the various platforms and is a great help in spreading the word about events, candidates and the party message.
Moe helps with events and fundraising and is the HCRW resident photographer with her camera ready at all Republican and local events. Her pictures and articles frequently appear in the Hamilton County Reporter, where she is a volunteer photographer and columnist.
Moe has a bachelor’s degree from IUPUI and is a black belt in Karate from Adamson’s Karate Studios, a PADI Certified SCUBA Diver, avid skier, and a USPA Advanced Skydiver with 427 jumps, including one bridge and one cliff BASE jump.
In her spare time, she enjoys cooking and says she would love to meet Gordon Ramsey. She also likes playing with her talking green parrot Ollie and winning in euchre.
Reporter photos by Stu Clampitt