In honor of the fact that today- September 17th- is Constitution Day and the fact that I am at a DAR conference in Orlando, I dedicate this week’s episode of Friday Facts to an organization that is near and dear to my heart. Of course, those of you who have had the privilege of hearing me rant about the latest job they’ve conned me into doing would be right if you were incredulous at the aforesaid statement. But, it is true. I love what the DAR stands for and all the good it does. Not so much in love with some of the rigid women that belong to the group, but it takes all kinds to make a world. Right?
Anyway, The Daughters of the American Revolution was founded in October, 1890 by Eugenia Washington, Mary Desha, Mary Lockwood and Ellen Hardin Walworth. The Society was founded to foster patriotism. The requirements to join are to be able to trace lineage to someone who offered aid or assistance to the cause of American Independence. That’s it. That’s the only criterion.
The organization does many wonderful things. It even sponsors six schools for children. One that’s special to me is Kate Duncan Smith DAR School in Grant, Alabama. It makes a huge difference to a very rural area of the state. I was the National liaison for the school for three years. The kids are great- they are all so grateful to the ladies of the DAR and they are a joy to be around. I am now on the finance board but they have meetings on Wednesdays and a five hour drive one way on  my lunch hour isn’t quite feasible.
DAR offers scholarships to college students as well as to members that want to continue their educations. We sponsor essay contests, food drives, send supplies to Veterans hospitals, send movies, phone cards and socks to the base in Germany where wounded soldiers are sent and a plethora of other things. Check out the DAR website if you’re interested in all the other things we sponsor and do in t he furtherence of patriotism.
This is a grand organization to belong to and I bet those four women from almost 120 years ago had no idea that what they created would take off and be so successful. I bet they’d be proud.
Go out and celebrate today that we have one of the best countries on Earth to live in and they we have such a wonderful Constitution.
Jillian Chantal 
Sounds like a great organization, Jillian! I’ve always wondered what it was, but hadn’t delved into it further. I can almost guarantee though, that I wouldn’t qualify. No, my family was still in Germany and France when the American Revolution broke out. I think. *frown* Okay, maybe one of my ancestors came over in the 1800’s…you know, because they were a convict kicked out of France. Eh…
By: danicaavet on September 17, 2010
at 8:08 am
The French gave lots of aid to the fledgling new country. Mayhaps therein would be an ancestor? –
By: sfcatty on September 17, 2010
at 1:27 pm
Did not know it was Constitution Day. I am always learning something from your Fabulous Friday Facts. Thanks as always for sharing.
By: Darlene on September 17, 2010
at 8:21 am