The National Society is thrilled that one of its own members has been afforded the privilege to contribute to this historic celebration at the national level. Honorary President General Lynn Forney Young has been appointed to the United States Semiquincentennial Commission, which was established to facilitate nationwide plans to observe the historic milestone. I have no doubt that Commissioner Young’s visionary leadership, compassionate nature and love of country will be an enormous asset to this prestigious group. Daughters will be pleased to have such a positive representative named to this commission.
For more information about the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission and Commissioner Young’s appointment, read the news release here.
Additionally, I have appointed Commissioner Young to lead the National Society’s newly established America 250! Committee, to guide DAR plans and initiatives related to the anniversary. While the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission will focus primarily on initiatives leading up to July 4, 2026, the DAR’s own commemoration will stretch from 2023 to 2033, encompassing the anniversaries of events between the Boston Tea Party in 1773 and the signing of the Treaty of Paris in 1783. At this early stage, there is no need to appoint state and local chairs for the America 250! Committee. Instead, Daughters should direct their energy toward strategic planning and preparation.
America’s 250th anniversary affords each of us the chance to be a part of history. Through visible community projects, we can raise awareness of DAR and our patriotic mission. As the National Society gave significant gifts to the nation during the Bicentennial, this anniversary again affords us a chance to participate in high-profile events and celebrations. For chapters, this is an opportunity to undertake meaningful projects and events locally. Just think of the positive impact we can have on our country!
Chapters, take the initiative to start a conversation about 250th anniversary plans in your communities. Meet with local leaders and organizations, and offer to take on a leadership role in commemorations and celebrations. Doing so will enhance your chapter’s reputation as a forward-thinking, community-minded, collaborative service organization.
Additionally, Commissioner Young’s appointment to this high-profile national role presents an opportunity for chapters to attract local media coverage. We have created a template press release to help chapters announce DAR’s representation on the United States Semiquincentennial Commission. Chapters can download the release, customize it with chapter-specific information using the included prompts, and pitch the story to community media outlets. To add local relevance and incentive for your local news outlets to take more interest, relate the announcement to something happening in the community, such as an upcoming Independence Day celebration or a chapter event open to the public. Or, take the opportunity to explain how your chapter plans to approach the anniversary celebration—through commemorative events and membership recruitment, for example—and how the community can get involved.
Working together, we can enrich and strengthen not only our communities, but also the National Society. The 250th anniversary provides the best opportunity in our lifetimes to increase DAR membership and foster a renewed sense of appreciation for the men and women who founded our nation and preserved our freedoms. Commissioner Young and I were among the tens of thousands of women who joined DAR in the years surrounding the United States Bicentennial. Likewise, we anticipate that increased patriotic spirit and surging interest in family history surrounding the Semiquincentennial will create the potential for a similar influx of new members.
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