A Moving Homecoming, a Grateful Heart

My heart is overflowing with gratitude to the New York Daughters who welcomed me home last weekend for my official visit – but especially so to New York State Regent Patrice Birner, whose thoughtfulness, creativity and astounding attention to detail were on full display throughout my homecoming. These are the women who supported me along my 33-year journey in DAR, encouraging me at every turn. I have often said that the most amazing women you will ever meet can be found in DAR, and nearly 350 of them turned out to prove that once again over the weekend. I am immensely grateful.

The 125^th New York State Conference was held at the magnificent Syracuse Marriott Downtown, the former landmark Syracuse Hotel where New York Daughters had regularly conducted state conferences decades ago. The 1926 hotel was recently restored through a $75 million investment by a local resident– after being shuttered for 12 years! It was very special to return here, particularly since its ballroom was also the site where I won the talent portion of a pageant that crowned me Miss Teen New York way back in 1979. That connection led to Saturday evening’s banquet theme of “From Sash to Sash.” Such fun!

The marker was erected through a partnership with the William G. Pomeroy Foundation of Syracuse, which has assisted non-profits in erecting more than 1,500 historic markers (primarily in New York State but as far away as Alaska!) in the last 15 years. Mr. Pomeroy, the founder and former owner of two technology companies, was the speaker at the Friday evening banquet. He is passionate about preserving and promoting local history and shares DAR’s high standards of primary-source documentation for the markers supported by his foundation. It was a privilege for me to present to him the President General’s Medallion in grateful recognition for his work to support awareness of local history. This award is rarely presented – and may be extended only at the discretion of the President General for extraordinary service, outstanding accomplishment and long-lasting impact. Mr. Pomeroy is surely a deserving recipient.

I am also grateful to Mrs. Birner and the New York Daughters for their generous support of my President General’s Project, the Next Act, as they have thus far contributed as a group and individuals more than $500,000 toward our $14+ million undertaking! It was a joy to recognize 99 New York Chapters for having reached 100 percent participation in support of the project, and to accept generous additional gifts from the state organization and several clubs. This support has been especially touching because Mrs. Birner has simultaneously served as National Chair of the President General’s Project.

Saturday’s banquet, where I was afforded the honor of addressing the New York Daughters, created memories that I will treasure for the remainder of my life. Surprise video greetings were shared by my family members and Honorary Presidents General Presley Wagoner and Lynn Young. Honorary President General Merry Ann Wright and Past Corresponding Secretary General Marikay McHoul (a member of my chapter) shared fun memories from the podium. The banquet program featured the 90 covers of the American Spirit magazine that I had the honor of editing for 15 years, as well as fun photos through the decades of long-time friends and memorable events. 

Allow me to close by expressing my deepest gratitude to Mrs. Birner, who has capably led through a theme of “Make a Splash,” honoring all of New York’s waterways but especially the thundering Niagara Falls located not far from her western New York home. I first met Patrice when I was State Regent a decade ago – I was immediately impressed by her deep dedication, immense talent, quiet grace and kind heart. All of those attributes were obvious during her entire term in office, which began with the unexpected death of her predecessor just three months after installation.