Republican Women of North Shelby County Host Judge Matt Fridy

The Republican Women of North Shelby County (RWNSC) hosted Alabama Court of Civil Appeals Justice Matt Fridy at their Christmas luncheon Tuesday, Dec. 9 at the Inverness Country Club.

The meeting opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by Christmas carols led by Daylea DuVall.

Club President Diane Caldwell briefly spoke about the Club’s activities in 2025. They are now the second largest Club in Alabama, with 217 members. At September’s National Federation of Republican Women, the Club received the Diamond Achievement Award, and according to Caldwell was “just short” of being named the most outstanding Club in the State.

This past year saw the Club expand their community service work through their Caring for America program, hosting a baby shower for Moms in need, and honoring local first responders and a local food back with gifts of cash and food. They added a dedicated Veterans Day program this year, and “upped our scholarship game” with more applicants and a larger award amount, Caldwell said.

At the National level, the Club raised nearly $5,000 for flood victims in North Carolina and Texas.

Looking ahead to 2026, plans are being made for a Prayer Breakfast, and possibly an activity centered around America’s 250th anniversary.

Speakers are still being added through the May primary, and Caldwell pointed out that there might be a need to add an extra meeting—perhaps in the evening—to accommodate all the candidates that wished to address the Club. In January, Congressman and U.S. Senate candidate Barry Moore (R-AL1) will be speaking.

Caldwell lauded a number of members of the group who made 2025 such a success, and recognized the many guests from other clubs, elected officials and candidates who were present.

Charlotte Meadows introduced Judge Matt Fridy, who is running for reelection to the Alabama Court of Civil appeals. Judge Fridy briefly discussed his background in election, campaign finance and appellate law before being elected to the Court in 2020, said he was running for reelection, “and that’s all I’m going to say about that.”

Fridy went on to describe how, in April of this year, he suffered a massive heart attack so severe that his medical team told his wife he only had a five percent chance of survival. However, “my recovery since the end of May has been nothing short of miraculous,” and he has largely recovered to his previous level of functioning.

“I know that God was with me when I walked through the valley of the shadow of death,” Fridy said. He then went on to say that the experience had taught him several things:

“Life is too short to bear grudges or keep an enemies list. Life is too short, and we’ve been given a mission. Our job is to complete that mission.”

“Tell your friends and family how much you love them, and how much they mean to you. Don’t get so busy with life that you fail to reach out to people you love.”

“Don’t sweat the small stuff—and it’s all small stuff. Most of what we worry about in life never comes to pass. Worry is a futile activity.”

“Count your blessings, not your troubles. Do we focus on the troubles, or on the ninety five percent of things that are blessings?”

“Prayer works, I’ve never experienced that like I have in the last six months.”

Fridy closed by wishing the group Merry Christmas, after which the meeting adjourned.

For more information on RWNSC, they can be contacted on their Facebook page, by email at republicanwomennsc@gmail.com or on the web at rwnsc.com.

From Tuesday’s Christmas luncheon. All images—BC/ALPolitics.com