Today's DAR
Over 150 Daughters serving in various leadership positions, including the National Board of Management and the National Chairs, gathered at DAR Headquarters October 8-10 for illuminating workshops and breakout sessions. Special guest speaker, Kim Weitkamp, conducted three productive leadership sessions. A crowd favorite, “Steady Hands in Changing Times”, explored ways DAR leaders can offer stability and direction while still embracing growth and change. In addition to these large group workshops, breakout sessions - unique to leadership roles- supported those with job specific questions and accommodated the need for focused training. The DAR Leadership Training Committee, Beth Calhoun National Chair and Peggy Whitcomb Vice Chair- Forum were instrumental in providing relevant content. With the assistance of several Vice Presidents General serving as room facilitators and hallway hostesses, a variety of spaces within headquarters were utilized to accommodate the various sessions. Between presentations, Daughters enjoyed “shopping breaks”, where they purchased new cherry blossom bags from the DAR Store and filled them with new items as well as treasures from the Insignia Store!
October Legacy Week 2025: Illuminating Leadership and Service
The legacy of George Washington was honored, and time of fellowship was shared Wednesday afternoon as Daughters traveled out to visit two historic properties - the Woodlawn and Pope-Leighey houses. The land where the houses reside was part of a parcel of land granted to John Washington, grandfather to George, and would become part of the Mount Vernon estate. More than 150 years later, the National Trust for Historic Preservation would take over the house as its first public site, ensuring that the legacy of Washington and his family remained accessible to visitors. Today, the grounds are also home to the Pope-Leighey house, built by renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright in 1941, and saved from demolition by the National Trust for Historic Preservation in the 1960s. Later that afternoon, attendees were transported to Old Town Alexandria, where George Washington worshipped, conducted business, and socialized regularly, for dinner at historic Gadsby’s Tavern. The present-day site, combining the 1785 tavern and 1792 city hotel, was the perfect venue for a candlelit dinner where new friendships could blossom. Appreciation is expressed to Rebecca Grawl, National Chair DAR Tours and Events, and her committee for arranging such a memorable evening.
Daughters enjoyed a brisk fall morning on Thursday for the wreath-laying ceremony led by Chaplain General Mernie Crane in the garden of the American Red Cross Headquarters. A beautiful wreath was placed in front of the bronze monument by Felix de Weldon, which bears the inscription, “In honor and memory of the men and women of the American Red Cross who gave their lives in service of mankind.” Dignitaries from the American Red Cross joined the tribute and were pleased to learn of the connections between DAR and the Red Cross during Historian General Cindy Addison’s comments. Following the ceremony, Daughters gathered in the Red Cross Headquarters to participate in a service project, packing snack kits for local VA hospitals.
Under the direction of Property Beautification and Hospitality Committee, Holly Taylor National Chair, the week culminated on Friday evening with the Legacy Banquet in the O’Byrne Gallery. Guests enjoyed an exquisite meal and lovely presentation by Anna Laymon, President and CEO of the Women’s Suffrage National Monument Foundation. Her heartfelt gratitude for DAR’s total contribution of $1,000,000 to the foundation was well received and her words regarding the enduring legacy of the women who came before us were inspiring. Last, but not least, those contributing to the President General’s Project, “Legacy in Bloom”, as either Blossom or Legacy Donor were recognized and presented with certificates and pins - the perfect ending to a truly wonderful week illuminating leadership and service.
