In 1974 , during the wake of the Watergate scandal , President Gerald Ford named her the first female chair of the Republican National Committee . She held that post until 1977 , and in that role became the first woman of her party , and second woman of a major party , to organize a presidential nominating convention , the 1976 Republican National Convention in Kansas City . In 1977 , she was inducted in the Iowa Women 's Hall of Fame . In 1978 , she served as Co-Manager of the Committee for Governor Ray in the successful fourth re-election campaign of Iowa Governor Robert D. Ray
1976 Republican National Convention
1976 Republican National Convention
Mary Louise Smith (politician)