Republican leaders from across the state met at the Durham RTP Sheraton Imperial Hotel May 4-6 for the spring board of directors meeting and the biennial Tribute to Women.

Cherie Berry, N.C. Commissioner of Labor, gave the keynote address for the Saturday evening dinner.

The tribute, held biennially, honors Federation members who have made extraordinary contributions to their local clubs, county, state or national Republican activities.

Moore Republican Women's Club presented an honoree from its membership as a recipient of the award.

Emily "Pud" Kent was chosen by her club to represent women who answer the call every day in support of family, community, party and country.

Those who attended the ceremony were Joan Thurman, Lane Bergstrom, Gina Brown, Mariann Benway, Linda Jarrett and Kay Wildt.

Cherie Berry, who was sworn in as North Carolina's first female labor commissioner on Jan. 6, 2001, after serving eight years in the N.C. House of Representatives, was the recipient of the 2012 Elizabeth Dole Pioneer Award, which is awarded to a N.C. Republican woman who has paved the way for other Republican women in the state.

Valerie White, NCFRW past president from Asheboro, was named as the 2012 NCFRW State Honoree.

Twenty-one women were honored by their local clubs for "Answering the Call."

Pud Kent has been a stalwart in Moore Republican Women for many years with her quiet, calm demeanor. She has given countless hours serving as secretary, historian, president, followed by NCFRW Essay Contest chair for four years. She has been in a Federated club since 1996.

"She said she did not think she was worthy of the award, but those who know Pud would certainly be the first to disagree, as she is always 'answering the call,'" says a club member.

Founded in 1953, the NCFRW is a part of the National Federation of Republican Women, which has thousands of active members in local clubs across the nation and in several U.S. territories, making it one of the largest women's political organizations in the country.

The grassroots organization works to promote the principles and objectives of the Republican Party, elect Republican candidates, inform the public through political education and activity, and increase the effectiveness of women in the cause of good government.