Today's DAR
The strength, persistence, and intelligence of women has been felt throughout the history of the United States. From the brave female Patriots who helped secure our nation’s independence, through the founding of our National Society, to the innovations and events of today, women have always been in the picture, even if they weren’t always front and center!
Illuminating Female Patriots During Women’s History Month
This Women’s History Month, I want to acknowledge some of our Founding Mothers and all female Patriots who ensured we grew up in our beautiful United States. One of these brave women happens to be my own Patriot Lilly McIlhaney Bowen, an Irish born woman who supported the cause by loaning funds and providing food and military supplies to the Continental Army. She is just one of nearly 1,300 female Patriot ancestors DAR members have tied their lineage to, and there are many more to be uncovered.
A few of the inspiring women who contributed to our nation’s freedom include:
- Margaret Cochran Corbin, who took over her husband’s cannon during a battle after he was killed, becoming the first American woman to receive a military pension for her wartime service, and Deborah Sampson, who disguised herself as a man in order to serve in the Continental Army.
- The women of Edenton, North Carolina, who held the Edenton Tea Party in protest of the King’s Taxes.
- Mercy Otis Warren, supported the Patriot cause through her political writings, and Phillis Wheatley, an enslaved woman who gained international fame and corresponded with George Washington.
- Mary Burks Smith and Sarah Young Davis sewed uniforms for the various Continental militia.
- Hannah Till, George Washington’s enslaved cook, provided food for him at Valley Forge.
- Martha Bryan Boone managed frontier defenses and supplied food, clothing, and intelligence to the Continental Army
- Elizabeth Irwin, Mary Dillard, Mary Hartwell, acted as spies, carrying and sharing information from the British to the Americans.
- Nancy Ward, originally named Nanye'hi, was an intermediary between the Cherokee and American settlers, is known for warning American colonists of attacks and providing them with resources.
- Mary Ann Higginbotham Franklin, Tabitha De Priest, Jean Porter Green were widowers who carried on the Patriot cause of their husbands by paying Virginia supply taxes that supported the Continental Army.
- Mary Patten Allen, Maryan McGuire, and Elizabeth Lewis were all taken as prisoners of the British.
Just as Abigail Adams implored her husband to “remember the ladies,” this Women’s History month we encourage members to celebrate the women who helped begin this great experiment, as well as celebrate the role that all women have played throughout the history of our country!
