The District of Columbia State Conference

State Regent Beth Hicks and the District Daughters celebrated their accomplishments in education, patriotism and historic preservation during their state conference on April 21-22! Attending the America 250 Patriot Marker dedication at Congressional Cemetery was so moving.  The dedication and marker were made possible through the America 250! Celebration Grants funded by the President General’s Project and donations from the chapters. I appreciate the assistance of Jacqueline Leahy and Hillary Fisk, my personal page and Rebecca Hough, who provided my transportation. “Guardian of our cherished liberties, Our nation’s Capital.”

- Pamela Wright, President General

The 122nd DCDAR State Conference started off with a visit to Congressional Cemetery, where President General Pamela Edwards Rouse Wright joined District Daughters for an America 250! Patriot Marker dedication (she is pictured here with DCSAR President William Ritchie, DCDAR State Regent Beth Hicks, DCDAR State Organizing Secretary and American 250! State Chair Sheri O’Connell, and NSDAR National American 250! Vice Chair for Community Engagement, Carrie Ann Alford). The marker was placed at the gravesite of Elbridge Gerry, the only signer of the Declaration of Independence buried in the District of Columbia. After the ceremony, Daughters and community members headed inside the chapel for a delicious reception hosted by the Junior Membership Committee.

Before dinner, the NSDAR Development Office arranged a reception for Heritage Club and Founder’s Club supporters of DAR. Then it was time for group photos with the State Officers and with our wonderful Pages.

The shining culmination of the evening was the announcement of the DCDAR Outstanding Junior Katie Hortenstine. Katie currently serves as State Registrar, is the former chapter regent of the Manor House Chapter, has paged at Congress for 12 years, and is a National Vice Chair for Lineage Research. DCDAR is lucky to have her, and was so proud to surprise her with a visit from her mother to top off the evening.