ADAMS, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The Red River Republican Women welcomed former All-American swimmer Riley Gaines Barker as their keynote speaker at their annual Wine Tasting Fundraising Event Friday at the Ruby Cora, drawing more than 70 guests.

Gaines Barker is a Gallatin native who was a star swimmer for the University of Kentucky from 2019-2022 and now advocates for preserving women’s sports. She spoke to those gathered about competing against the first openly trans woman champion in the NCAA women’s division.

Louis Barker, Riley Gaines Barker, & Tommy Vallejos at the Red River Republican Women’s Annual Wine Tasting Fundraiser at Ruby Cora on Jul. 28, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Tennessee State Representative Jay Reedy, State Representative Jeff Burkhart and Riley Gaines Barker at the Red River Republican Women’s Annual Wine Tasting Fundraiser at Ruby Cora on Jul. 28, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Doug & Tina Englen at the Red River Republican Women’s Annual Wine Tasting Fundraiser at Ruby Cora on Jul. 28, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Guests take a selfie at the Red River Republican Women’s Annual Wine Tasting Fundraiser at Ruby Cora on Jul. 28, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Members of the Red River Republican Women pose for a photo with Riley Gaines Barker at the organization’s Annual Wine Tasting Fundraiser at Ruby Cora on Jul. 28, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Lee Elder, Karel Lea Biggs & Corinthia Elder at the Red River Republican Women’s Annual Wine Tasting Fundraiser at Ruby Cora on Jul. 28, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Guests arrive at the Red River Republican Women’s Annual Wine Tasting Fundraiser at Ruby Cora on Jul. 28, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
The Red River Republican Women’s Annual Wine Tasting Fundraiser at Ruby Cora on Jul. 28, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Pastor Tommy Vallejos, Diana Arrington, & Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden at the Red River Republican Women’s Annual Wine Tasting Fundraiser at Ruby Cora on Jul. 28, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Montgomery County Circuit Court Clerk Wendy Davis & Ellen Allen at the Red River Republican Women’s Annual Wine Tasting Fundraiser at Ruby Cora on Jul. 28, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Jamie Peltz, Josh Peltz, & District Attorney Robert Nash Olivia at the Red River Republican Women’s Annual Wine Tasting Fundraiser at Ruby Cora on Jul. 28, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
The Red River Republican Women’s Annual Wine Tasting Fundraiser at Ruby Cora on Jul. 28, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Laura Spears & Carol Duffin at the Red River Republican Women’s Annual Wine Tasting Fundraiser at Ruby Cora on Jul. 28, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Kaitlan & Deanna McLaughlin at the Red River Republican Women’s Annual Wine Tasting Fundraiser at Ruby Cora on Jul. 28, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden, Riley Gaines Barker, & Sara Golden at the Red River Republican Women’s Annual Wine Tasting Fundraiser at Ruby Cora on Jul. 28, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Organization President Corinthia Elder at the Red River Republican Women’s Annual Wine Tasting Fundraiser at Ruby Cora on Jul. 28, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Guests at the Red River Republican Women’s Annual Wine Tasting Fundraiser at Ruby Cora on Jul. 28, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Olivia Lupia at the Red River Republican Women’s Annual Wine Tasting Fundraiser at Ruby Cora on Jul. 28, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Karel Lea Biggs at the Red River Republican Women’s Annual Wine Tasting Fundraiser at Ruby Cora on Jul. 28, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Cathy Kolb at the Red River Republican Women’s Annual Wine Tasting Fundraiser at Ruby Cora on Jul. 28, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Keynote speaker former All-American Swimmer, Riley Gaines Barker, at the Red River Republican Women’s Annual Wine Tasting Fundraiser at Ruby Cora on Jul. 28, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
District Attorney General Robert Nash & Misty Nash at the Red River Republican Women’s Annual Wine Tasting Fundraiser at Ruby Cora on Jul. 28, 2023. (Lee Erwin)

“My message was in the simplest way is to stand firm in the truth. The truth that I was impacted by and the truth that I am encouraging people to speak, is the truth of man verses woman, in its Biblical form and its objective form. They’re asking us to deny that, and that’s kind of a terrifying thought,” Gaines Barker said.

Corinthia Elder, president of the Red River Republican Women, said they were happy to have such a good turnout and added they are looking forward to next year’s election.

“It was a wonderful event tonight hearing Riley Gaines Barker’s story in her own words. It was inspiring and sometimes even shocking,” Elder said.