Looking Forward to National Defense Night

Ann Dillon, President General

I hope everyone enjoyed themselves at last evening’s Service to America Night! It was fun to walk around and explore all that was going on and visit with so many of you. Each of the committees had festively decorated tables and great information to share with the members. 

Last night was a celebratory kick off to the Suffrage Centennial! Dr. Carol Berkin gave great remarks and it was so interesting to hear about the ground work the women of the Revolutionary era laid for the future. I was excited to announce the research grant DAR is sponsoring with the Museum of the American Revolution to discover even more about this topic for their upcoming exhibit that examines how the women of the Revolutionary era impacted the Suffrage era.

Today voting begins for the Candidates for Executive Office, Honorary Vice President General and Vice President General. We will continue to hear reports of State Regents during the morning business sessions. 

During the afternoon session, we will have a special presentation, “Ordinary Equality: DAR Members and the Road to Women’s Suffrage 1890-1920,” where Tracy Robinson, DAR Director of Archives and History, will tell us more about her new book and the Americana exhibit that focuses on these DAR members that worked to give women the right to vote. Additionally during this session we will recognize generous Benefactors who have donated more than $1,250 to the President General’s Project and those states which have reached 100% Participation.

This afternoon, I am attending the Junior Membership Luncheon. This is always a fun, energetic event and I am thankful for our Junior Members and for the amazing work they do in their communities. Many of the Presidents General and National Board of Management joined as Junior Members, so I look forward to seeing today’s Junior Members in future leadership roles.

During this evening’s National Defense Night, Lieutenant General Nadja West, Surgeon General for the U.S. Army, will deliver the Keynote Address and be presented with the Margaret Cochran Corbin Award.

We will also present Vivian’s Outreach to Women to Final Salute and Vetshouse, DAR Medal of Honor to Shari Duval, the Dr. Anita Newcomb McGee Award to Colonel Risa Ware, and the DAR Media and Entertainment Award to the film “The Hello Girls,” among other award presentations.

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