Event of a Member: GSFRW First Annual Vesta Roy Gala

Greater Salem Federation of Republican Women (GSFRW) is proud to announce it has chosen Kelly Ayotte, New Hampshire’s first elected Republican governor, as the inaugural recipient of the GSFRW Vesta Roy Award at the GSFRW first annual Vesta Roy Gala. The Vesta Roy Gala commemorates the legacy Vesta Roy.

Vesta Roy (March 26, 1925 – February 9, 2002) began her political career as the Salem, New Hampshire, Supervisor Of The Checklist and later became a Town Selectman in 1968. She was a Republican New Hampshire House of Representatives member from 1972 to 1974.

In 1974, Roy made history as the first woman to serve as a Rockingham County, New Hampshire Commissioner, and continued to pave the way for women in politics as Salem's State Senator from District 22 from 1978 through 1986.

Vesta Roy's groundbreaking achievements include becoming the first woman to serve as President of the New Hampshire Senate, Acting Governor, and Governor of New Hampshire. Her brief governorship arose from a unique set of constitutional circumstances when the outgoing governor tragically passed away at the end of his term in January 1983. Vesta Roy's ascension to the governorship, albeit brief, marked the first time in New Hampshire's then-198-year history that a woman held this esteemed office.

Vesta Roy's legacy serves as a testament to the immense potential of Republican women in politics and the importance of celebrating their accomplishments.