Today's DAR
It’s true: There is something very infectious sweeping through the greater D.C. metro area – it is a growing, palpable and inspiring spirit of renewal sweeping the DAR! After visiting with the Maryland and District of Columbia state societies, I saw firsthand that Daughters are emerging after a long and difficult year more energized and excited than ever before. I wish that I had space to share every detail of my wonderful interactions with these outstanding women, but space limits me to just a few. So, here goes:
Very Contagious: Visiting Maryland and the District of Columbia
Maryland
Gathering in Ellicott City, Maryland State Regent Maureen Dougherty Tipton presided over the in-person 116th State Conference of the Maryland Society, leading approximately 200 attendees in a three-day celebration of remarkable achievements during the past year. These women are deeply committed to our mission – that was evident throughout the excellent reports of state officers, chairs and chapters. Learn more about them in this brief interview with Mrs. Tipton.
I particularly appreciated attending the Friday luncheon that honored Maryland’s COVID 19 Heroes. Fifteen front line workers (police officers, nurses, doctors, service members, emergency responders and hospitality industry workers) were recognized for their service during the last year. Each of the honorees was sponsored by a local chapter and received a certificate of appreciation. It was such a heartfelt testimonial to the ways that DAR expresses its appreciation to those who protect and serve within our communities.
Mrs. Tipton’s official project encourages pollinator gardens throughout Maryland. Thus far, 17 collaborations have resulted in these nature preserves at schools, parks and other spaces, both public and private. She has also led her Daughters in supporting significant repairs and improvements to the Maryland State Society’s Chapter House – a Victorian home in Baltimore’s historic Roland Park district.
On Thursday, the Guests of Conference had a special treat: a tour and luncheon at the Star-Spangled Banner Flag House. Mary Pickersgill and her family began renting the house in the early 1800s. Like her mother before her, Mary started a flag making business; within a decade, she had saved enough money to buy the house. In the summer of 1813, Mary was commissioned to sew a garrison flag for Fort McHenry. Mary’s mother, daughter, nieces and indentured and enslaved servants helped complete the task in about seven weeks. On Sept. 14, 1814, Fort McHenry withstood a 25-hour British bombardment. The 30-x-42-foot garrison flag waving over the victorious fort inspired Francis Scott Key to pen lyrics that became the U.S. national anthem. Mary lived in the house until her death in 1857 and the property remained in the Pickersgill family until 1864. The house exchanged hands multiple times and later functioned as a saloon and a warehouse. In 1929, the City of Baltimore purchased the property and preserved it as a historic building that is now protected as a National Historic Landmark.
Thank you, Maryland Daughters, for your hospitality and your dedication – I am touched by your graciousness and will treasure the memories of a remarkable visit with you.
District of Columbia
With 1,244 members, the State Society of the District of Columbia is relatively small – but trust me: after just one day with these outstanding women, I can assure you that their achievements and esprit de’ corps are large, indeed! Membership growth is up an astounding 25 percent here in the District in the last decade. One reason? Many are Junior Members who have wholeheartedly embraced the mission of our Society while having a great time connecting with one another in a sisterhood of service.
D.C. State Regent Cindy Hays successfully staged a well-planned and carefully orchestrated hybrid meeting that unfolded over three days. I joined them at their beautiful State Society-owned house on Saturday morning to share updates in a live presentation that was streamed to nearly 300 members watching online. Thanks to a dedicated behind-the-scenes team committed to ensuring that their 120th State Conference would be every bit as meaningful and enjoyable as one conducted in person, the D.C. Daughters executed flawlessly on important business, informative presentations and necessary voting. Brava, D.C.!
Following the morning business session, the conference was adjourned to the historic and beautiful Army Navy Club, where approximately 50 members were authorized to gather and enjoy a delicious luncheon. Thanks to Mrs. Hays’s generous invitation, I had an opportunity after lunch to update those gathered on the progress of restoring DAR Constitution Hall. I took the opportunity to thank these women, who bear a unique relationship with our headquarters and its operation. In addition to all of their own Chapter and State obligations, they can often be found whenever volunteers are needed tending to the home of our National Society. We should all be deeply grateful for the additional duties they assume as our hostesses in the nation’s capital
After lunch adjourned, Mrs. Hays was kind enough to take me on a tour of two of the District’s unique boundary stones. The 40 stones mark the four lines forming the boundaries between the states of Maryland and Virginia and the 100 square miles of federal territory that became the District of Columbia. In accordance with the federal Residence Act, a surveying team placed these markers in 1791 and 1792. Today, 36 of the original marker stones survive as the oldest federally placed monuments in the United States. Since 1915, they have been cared for in large part by the D.C. Daughters, who assist in the effort to maintain the stones and their protective iron cage grates.
We next stopped to see one of the historic D.C. fire department call boxes that are being restored as part of Mrs. Hays’s State Regent’s Project. This enjoyable day ended at a private reception at the home of Daughter Rachel Hicks, where I was given a beautiful scarf depicting the boundary stones. I will treasure it and memories of this grand day.
I am thankful to all of the women who welcomed me this weekend – it made my milestone birthday on Saturday much more enjoyable! I appreciate the yummy desserts, warm well wishes and multiple renditions of “Happy Birthday” that helped make my turning 60 slightly less painful! Seriously: I wish you knew how much I genuinely enjoy meeting the amazing women of our Society wherever I travel. Smart, dedicated, patriotic, kind and gracious, they are also a lot of F*U*N! Make today the day that share the gift of membership: invite a new woman to join our ranks. After all, it’s 202ONE!
