Rhonda Ashworth
President
Rhonda Ashworth, President of the Horry County Republican Women's Club (HCRWC), is a seasoned legal professional and a dedicated leader within the South Carolina Republican Party. Rhonda's leadership extends across multiple levels of the Federation. In addition to her local presidency, she serves as the Assistant Treasurer for the South Carolina Federation of Republican Women (SCFRW), where she helps oversee the financial integrity and organization health of the State Federation. Her commitment to the party's foundation is further evidenced by her role as Precinct President. Prior to her election as President of the HCRWC, she served as the club's Secretary from 2023-2025. Rhonda's leadership style is informed by a distinguished 27-year career as a Criminal Defense Paralegal. This nearly three-decade tenure in the legal field has equipped her with a sharp analytical mind, a deep understanding of the judicial system, and a tireless work ethic. She brings this same level of professional rigor to her advocacy for constitutional principles and the empowerment of Republican women across the state.
Cathy Farish
1st Vice President
A South Carolina native, Cathy has dedicated her life to service, both in national security and her social local community. Following a distinguished 20-year career with the CIA, she transitioned from global intelligence to grassroots leadership.
Cathy currently serves as the 1st Vice President of the Horry County Republican Women’s Club (HCRWC) and as the Vice Chairman of the Horry County Republican Party, where she works tirelessly to champion conservative values.
Beyond her professional and political roles, Cathy’s greatest joy is her family. She has been married to her husband, Victor, for 34 years and they are the proud parents of Victoria (spouse, Wallace) and Andrew and grandparents to Wells and Warren.
Mary Lou Barrett
2nd Vice President
Mary Lou Barrett is a wife, mother, and proud grandmother who has been a dedicated Republican since registering with the party in 1990. She currently serves as the 2nd Vice President of the Horry County Republican Women’s Club and is an active member of the Horry County GOP. She also serves on the club’s Ways and Means Committee and represents the Red Bank community as a GOP Delegate.
In 2023, Mary Lou relocated to Longs, South Carolina from Port St. Lucie, Florida, where she was actively involved in local Republican leadership. While in Florida, she served on the St. Lucie County Executive Republican Committee and held the position of Membership Chairperson, working to grow engagement and strengthen the organization’s membership base.
Since joining the Horry County Republican Women’s Club in 2024, Mary Lou has enjoyed working alongside the dedicated women of the club to support conservative values, encourage civic involvement, and strengthen the Republican presence in the community
Joyce Dowling
Secretary
Joyce Dowling is the Secretary of the HCRWC, bringing five years of dedicated service to the organization. Originally hailing from Massachusetts, she has called South Carolina home for the past 11. In addition her role at HCRWC, Joyce actively contributes to her community as a member of the Executive Committee for her precinct. Her commitment to service and leadership makes her a valued member the community. Joyce was awarded the 2025 Volunteer of the Year Award by the HCGOP for her volunteerism.
Margaret Evans
Treasurer
Margaret L. Evans is a seasoned legal professional who has been a pillar of the Myrtle Beach community for three decades. Since 2017, she has served as a practicing attorney with the esteemed firm of McCutchen Vaught Geddie & Hucks, where she brings a wealth of experience and a compassionate approach to her clients' most personal legal matters.
Margaret specializes in a diverse range of practice areas, including:
• Family Law: Navigating the complexities of domestic relations with steadiness and care.
• Bankruptcy: Providing a path toward financial stability and peace of mind.
• Wills and Estates: Helping families secure their legacies and plan for the future.
Education & Professional Journey
Originally born and raised in Virginia, Margaret earned her B.A. in Political Science and Sociology from Radford University in 1989. She went on to receive her Juris Doctor from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 1995.
Seeking the coastal lifestyle, she moved to Myrtle Beach in 1996 and has since dedicated her career to serving the legal needs of the Grand Strand.
Personal Life
Outside of the courtroom, Margaret is an avid enthusiast of the Myrtle Beach lifestyle. You can often find her perfecting her swing on the golf course, experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen, or lost in a good book. She shares her home with her beloved cat, Angel, and is the proud fiancé of Joel Wilson, widely known in the podcast community as "The Digital Guru."
June Avinger
Immediate Past President
June Craig Avinger has been an active member of the HCRWC since 2019, contributing her leadership skills as the Legislative Chair for SCFRW from 2022 to 2026. She served as Vice President from 2021 to 2023 and is currently the President for the term 2023-6. Additionally, June holds the position of Legislative Chair HCRWC from 2026 to 2028 and is a committed member of the HCGOP. Her involvement extends to the Red Hill #2 Executive Committee, where she participates in various committees, including Legislative, Planning Operations, Special Adhoc Committee, and the Social Committee.
