Community Builders: Daughters of the American Revolution

Photos by Lisa Saleme

Huntsville’s Mary Martin Elmore Scott Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) exemplifies both the DAR Objective: “promoting patriotism, preserving American history, and securing America’s future through better education,” and the DAR Motto: “God, Home, and Country.” These dedicated ladies serve our community by supporting a number of other civic organizations and by creatively meeting the needs of veterans, battered women, the homeless, and many more. Whether these ladies are clipping coupons and sewing quilts for veterans, raising money for scholarships, honoring history educators, helping with the upkeep of Kate Barr Ross Park, collecting items for the SAAFE House, working in various church ministries, sponsoring local clubs, and so much more, they are honoring God, investing in the foundation of family and home, and promoting the strength of our country.

Four women (Eugenia Washington, Mary Desha, Ellen Walworth, and Mary S. Lockwood) founded the organization in 1890 in Washington, D.C. as a “non-profit, non-political volunteer women’s service organization” (www.dar.org/national-society/about-dar/who-we-are/who-we-are). Since this inception, many women have joined this organization continuing a legacy. Others have become interested in genealogy and have found roots which tie their families to involvement in the Revolutionary War. “I became interested in DAR through my mother when I was a little, tiny girl. I watched her with her yearbook and her service to the community. In junior high and high school, I was in CAR (Children of the American Revolution),” Jenny Schwetman mused.

From Left to Right: Susan Madley, Joyce Robinson, Clara Malak, Susan Tarpey, Johnnie Jo Dickenson, Kay Mitchell, Jenny Schwetman, Patsy Ann Reed

The Huntsville chapter, Mary Martin Elmore Scott Chapter, currently has 122 members. On March 3, 1916, 16 charter members founded this group at a meeting in the Wynne Home, quite likely in the parlor. Six of those initial members were descendants of namesake and Real Daughter Mrs. Scott (A Real Daughter had a parent participate in the Revolutionary War as a patriot or a soldier.). Any woman, 18 years of age or older, who traces her ancestry back to a Revolutionary patriot or soldier who served from 1775-1783 is eligible for membership. Young ladies birth through 18 can become members of CAR,” Chapter Regent Clara Malak shared. Jenny Schwetman, Past Regent and current Historian, clarified the meaning of patriot, “Anybody that contributed by helping the soldiers: watering their horses, providing corn, etc. The soldiers did the fighting, the patriot contributed to the war effort otherwise. Perhaps they provided lodging or held an office such as county clerk.” These selfless ladies reside in Walker, Brazos, Dallas, Harris, Limestone, Madison, Montgomery, Travis, and Trinity counties, and one member of the Huntsville chapter lives in California. DAR member Joyce Robinson, Past Regent and current Parliamentarian, has been a member for over 60 years.

Meetings are held four times a year (January, April, September, and November) on the third Tuesday at 2 p.m. The September meeting is always a luncheon in observance of Constitution Week. Each meeting begins with the Opening Ritual: Scripture and prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, the American’s Creed, the Preamble, The Star Spangled Banner, the Pledge to the Texas Flag, and singing Texas, Our Texas. There is always a special program, then a business meeting which includes a message from the President General, and a National Defense Report, in addition to chapter reports. Special programs have included topics such as the Bataan March, World War II memorabilia, or a presentation of letters exchanged between Benjamin Franklin and his sister.

Johnnie Jo Dickenson, current Librarian and Past Regent, conducts a genealogy workshop at the Huntsville Public Library each June. “She teaches people how to fill out the DAR application and how to get the documentation to join. The good thing about her workshop is that it will help people join other organizations if they are interested in other lineage groups. She has offered this class for 25 years. It is open to the public, there is advanced publicity, and it is free,” Clara noted. As many as four or five generations of Daughters have been members of this chapter. “The value of membership from a historical point of view is a Daughter’s lineage must be documented, which means that her lineage back to a Revolutionary soldier or patriot is not assumption or unproven family tradition.”

The first Texan to be President General, Lynn Forney Young, who recently completed her term at the National office, challenged the local units to keep up with their volunteer hours. Volunteerism is the primary and stated purpose of the DAR; however, under an initiative named Celebrate America, Young set a goal for all chapters worldwide to have volunteered four million cumulative hours during her three year tenure. As of June of this year, it was reported that this organization well exceeded this goal and has logged 14,383,078 hours. “These hours could not include any work associated with the DAR chapter; it had to be service for the community. It also did not include travel time commuting to the service event. In 2015, our Chapter recorded in excess of 9,100 hours in 106 venues in this community and in surrounding areas. Many of our members served more hours, but they did not want to be recognized for their contributions. We aren’t little old ladies who sit around and drink tea,” Susan Madeley, First Vice Regent, quipped. In April, the local chapter celebrated their Centennial, 100 years of service.

One of the primary goals of the Mary Martin Elmore Scott Chapter is honoring and serving veterans. This past year, in conjunction with the Daughters of the American Colonists, over $133,000 worth of coupons were clipped to distribute to our local armed services members to use to buy groceries at their commissaries. “We also collected over $500 worth of toiletries and other comfort items to donate to veterans,” Clara remarked. The November meeting of DAR always centers around veterans. This past year’s program commemorated the 50 year anniversary of the Vietnam War. DAR also collects a love-offering at this meeting. This money goes to help with various needs with which the veterans might be faced. “One time, it was used to buy gasoline so individuals could transport people to the VA hospital. We have also donated to the H.E.A.R.T’s Museum and have sent care packages to soldiers currently serving overseas,” Clara said.

“We also prepare Patriotic Gift Bags for immigrants who are enrolled in Citizenship Classes. They receive a copy of the U.S. Constitution, the Declaration of Independence and other documents, an American Flag, and other patriotic items. This year, we are making special bags for the children, which will include a patriotic coloring book.”

DAR impacts not only the lives of more “mature” members of our society, but they also pour into the lives of our youth. “We sponsor an essay contest for the junior high through high school. A topic is given, the students’ submissions are read, and a plaque and certificate are awarded. Through the “Good Citizen’s Award,” the faculty of each school selects an outstanding senior boy and girl. These students have demonstrated patriotism, dependability, service, and leadership,” Clara stated. DAR gives a scholarship to a high school senior each year, as well as donating to other scholarship funds within the chapter and to SHSU scholarships. One member gives a certificate and a medal to SHSU ROTC students chosen by their commanders each year.

Besides all of the assistance to people and programs, DAR also has contributed to the architectural landscape in Washington, D.C. Constitution Hall, the national headquarters, which covers a city-block, faces the White House. It is the largest concert hall in D.C., houses the best genealogy library in the United States, and is often used by organizations throughout the nation’s capital. The library houses 185,000 books and 300,000 research files. Members of DAR have raised over $750,000 to help restore the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, $200,000 for Independence Hall, and $500,000 toward the construction of the World War II Memorial on the National Mall.

In September 2015, DAR presented the Americanism Medal to Dr. Witold Lukaszewski, a retired SHSU professor. As a young child in Poland, he, his mother, sister, and grandmother were displaced when their homeland was invaded. “They traveled across five continents and endured many deprivations. His sister and grandmother died, and his father was taken by the Nazis. He and his parents were eventually reunited, and they came to America. He has spent his life working for freedom and patriotism,” Clara shared. “His story reminds us to appreciate our freedoms. Many have suffered and died, and many have been willing to suffer and die so we can enjoy the liberties secured more than 200 years ago. We are very blessed, very fortunate.”

When you see the flags flying on the square during special holidays, know that DAR contributed to the Lion’s Club Flag Project. When you walk into the Johnnie Jo Dickenson Genealogy Room, understand the tireless work that has been poured into gathering materials so many can trace their lineage. When you see women putting the needs of the community as a priority, discern the hearts that have given hours upon hours to make Huntsville a wonderful place to live.