Sunshine State Daughters Set a Shining Example

After a year of limited travel and minimal opportunities to meet with Daughters in person, it was nothing short of pure joy for me to board an airplane to travel to sunny Orlando, Florida, to attend the Florida State Society’s 119^th State Conference, splendidly organized and capably chaired by charismatic State Regent Kay Yarbrough on March 5-6. (View my chat with Kay Yarbrough on the DAR President General Facebook page). 

More than 400 members safely gathered and responsibly exercised every necessary precaution in order to ensure that the business and the friendships of DAR flourished here. It was inspiring to see every participant’s commitment to her fellow Daughters. Thorough safety precautions included no more than four members at a dining table, no singing, masks, social distancing, routine sanitizing, plexiglass shields and general awareness. I was quite surprised to find that the vast majority of women whom I met had already received at least one and often two doses of the vaccine. I have received the first dose of vaccine, and I felt very safe at all times traveling to and from the conference, as well as throughout its sessions.

Florida Daughters have been especially generous in support of the VanBuren Administration’s President General Project. The State Society funded the restoration of the Florida State Box and Seal, as well as a section of the overhead laylight. In addition, they generously funded the restoration of all five downstairs dressing rooms, including the repair of the area’s HVAC system! When combining their state gifts with those of individual members, Florida Daughters have thus far contributed an astounding $415,000 toward the Next Act. I will be forever grateful for their dedication to this important project.

Florida Daughters showered me with sunshine – literally and figuratively. I know that they are the harbinger of great and positive things on the horizon for all of us in the year to come. Shine on, ladies, shine on!