Eagle Forum, the conservative group founded by conservative columnist Phyllis Schlafly, descended into chaos over the weekend after the organization’s Missouri chapter claimed several board members are attempting a hostile takeover.
Schlafly has called for the immediate resignation of six board members, including her daughter, Anne Cori, that she accuses of being behind the takeover attempt. Eunie Smith, Carolyn McLarty, Anne Cori, Rosina Kovar, Shirley Curry and Cathie Adams are the six board members addressed in Schlafly’s letter.
Schlafly said in a message Monday that the group attempted to wrest control from her in a telephone meeting Monday afternoon.
“For reasons that are not entirely clear to me, some people have been working to attack me and Eagle Forum,” Schlafly wrote in a message to supporters. “My disappointment is compounded by the fact that these are people with whom I have worked closely in the past. I have asked them to resign from the Board immediately so that we may continue our important work.”
Among the chief causes for the unrest appears to be Schlafly’s endorsement of Donald Trump for the Republican nomination for president over Texas Sen. Ted Cruz. Other issues in contention include former Missouri GOP head Ed Martin’s selection as president of Eagle Forum and efforts within the group to support the convening of a Constitutional Convention.
Adams, a Cruz supporter and the president of Texas Eagle Forum, criticized Schlafly’s endorsement of Trump during an interview with the Dallas Morning News, hinting that Schlafly’s age and mental state could have allowed Trump to take advantage of her.
“[Schlafly’s endorsement] is going to be widely dismissed. At 91, it is just totally unfair to impose upon someone who has such a beautiful legacy … I think this was very much a manipulation.,” she said. “When you’re 91 and you’re not out with the grass roots all the time, it is very much taking advantage of someone.”
The board met Monday afternoon, in a manner that Schlafly, in a message relayed through Martin, called an “improper, unprecedented telephone meeting,” that violated the board’s bylaws.
“I objected to the meeting and at 2:11 p.m. I was muted from the call,” Schlaffly said. “They are attempting to seize access to our bank accounts, to terminate employees, and to install members of their own Gang of 6 to control the bank accounts and all of Eagle Forum. … This kind of conduct will not stand and I will fight for Eagle Forum and I ask all men and women of good will to join me in this fight.”
Before the board meeting Monday, Martin called for an investigation.
“There has to be a pause to investigate what is really behind this bizarre attack against Phyllis and her well-executed succession plan,” Martin wrote in a Facebook post. “It is reckless and irresponsible to have a meeting on Monday when it looks like this takeover might really be motivated by a personal vendetta.”
Smith, president of Alabama Eagle Forum, has responded to Martin’s accusations of an imminent hostile takeover in a letter posted on her group’s website.
“These statements from Mr. Martin are slanderous, libelous and without merit,” she wrote. “Does it make sense that six long term board members with a total of 219 years of collective volunteer service to the organization would “hijack Eagle Forum”? (I have personally served over 44 years.) Certainly not! These board members have fought tirelessly for many years for the values we hold dear under the leadership of Phyllis Schlafly.”
Smith claims in the letter that Martin is acting as Schlafly without her consent, using her name in a letter sent to supporters.
The Missouri Eagle Forum Twitter and Facebook accounts have continued to defend Schlafly and Martin.
1/3 Incredible!
Rogue Bd Mbrs object to Phyllis paying a salary to EagleForum Prez.
He’s FullTime & has a wife/four kids.#txlege #moleg— MO Eagle Forum (@MOEagleForum) April 11, 2016
2/3 So what do rogue EagleForum board members think of Donna Hearne collecting $85,000/yr out her modest foundation? #txlege #moleg #stl @AP — MO Eagle Forum (@MOEagleForum) April 11, 2016
3/3 CruzEagles object to paying salary to married dad of 4 &ignore swirling drama re: @cathieadams.
Dividing PS garments among them#txlege— MO Eagle Forum (@MOEagleForum) April 11, 2016
This story has been updated with Schlafly’s message about the telephone meeting Monday afternoon.
