The federalist

Women leave Daughters of the American Revolution after it accepts men

Controversy​ Surrounding the Daughters of the ‍American Revolution

Another wave of Daughters of ​the American Revolution members is contemplating leaving the national⁤ genealogical society after it doubled down on allowing men to infiltrate‌ the ‍formerly all-female organization.

National Society Daughters of the American​ Revolution (DAR) national bylaws previously required applicants‌ to ‌be women who⁣ “prove lineal, ⁢bloodline descent⁣ from an ancestor who aided‌ in ⁤achieving American independence.” But national‌ DAR⁤ leadership ​has quietly, for years now, without the knowledge of its members, ​allowed men with altered birth certificates to join DAR chapters⁢ across the United States.

“Right there, ‍you’ve corrupted the lineage possibilities for true patriots because we always have ⁤to prove our lineage,” Debby McDermott, a​ decade-long DAR member and chaplain of⁤ Liberty Bell Chapter, told The Federalist.

The DAR officially amended its ⁤policies last year to include⁢ transgender members. After several attempts to‌ reverse the change, 12 chapters suggested amendments that⁢ would require members to “have the biological characteristics of a female in‌ the ​context of reproductive potential or capacity such as sex chromosomes and naturally occurring sex hormones.” They⁢ also asked the national ‍organization to “remove​ all ⁢non-discrimination policy ⁤language”⁣ about potential⁤ members and require members to⁤ offer original birth certificate or DNA proof that they are females.

The proposal easily satisfied the national bylaw demands that at ⁢least 10‌ chapters from five states offer endorsements for ⁣the amendments to attain national review.​ Yet on Feb. 10, DAR’s National Board of Management rejected ⁤the endorsement in an almost unanimous vote.

Hit Them Where It ​Hurts

When ⁢the DAR went public ​with the “additional non-discrimination language” amendment at its 132nd ⁤Continental Congress last⁣ year, several members decided to leave the society by either resigning or refusing⁣ to pay dues. The Nevada Sagebrush Chapter alone lost ‍at least nine women, including its former ‌secretary Brenda ⁤Becker. She estimates a ​DAR membership drop across the⁣ United States⁢ as between 14 and⁤ 18 percent since last year.

Becker ⁢stuck out her membership long enough to join a coalition of chapters that asked the National Bylaws Committee in October to ⁣revert the bylaw. But when ⁣DAR President General Pamela Rouse Wright confirmed, shortly before the board decided on the reversion proposal, ⁤that men masquerading as women could join the female society, Becker knew it was time to go.

“People ⁢are not as interested in the DAR in⁢ the big picture because they see us as being older women. We’re not ⁤like Riley ‍Gaines out there with all the attention. But ⁣there are 190,000 ⁢or 185,000⁤ members⁣ in DAR.​ I mean, that’s ⁢a ⁣lot ⁤of people,” Becker said.

Others, like McDermott, are contemplating‍ whether to stay and fight DAR nationals over the policy shift or resign from‌ the⁤ organization they’ve known and loved for years.

“I’m having‍ a difficult time with my decision ​to stay​ or go. If I go,⁤ I can’t⁤ fight, but if I stay,​ I’m going against my⁤ beliefs,” McDermott said. “God created man⁣ and woman, and there’s only two,‌ so being with‍ an organization that ⁣is⁤ accepting ‍multiple genders goes against ⁤my belief in God.”

McDermott said she loves spending time with her‍ local chapter volunteering ​because it gives her community ⁤and⁢ support, especially after‍ she ⁤became‍ a ‌widow. The problem⁢ with continuing membership, she ‌said, ​is that most of her dues will go to​ support nationals and their policies.

Because of the DAR’s trickle-down system, McDermott’s Liberty Bell chapter will be forced to adopt the new bylaws and could be asked to accept male⁣ members soon.

“I think until it financially hits⁣ them, that they have really made a mistake, it’s not going ‍to make a difference to them. If it hits them⁤ in the pocketbook, maybe that would make⁢ a ⁢difference. That’s the other reason I’d leave,” McDermott said

Becker said ‌there is some talk of “having an informational picket or ‍protests” during DAR’s Continental Congress ​this summer. ⁣Until then, ex-members and members with concerns about the society’s desire to become more “inclusive” ⁢will continue protesting the decision to allow males in an explicitly and historically ⁣female organization.

“It’s so discouraging ‍that it’s something‌ that I always⁣ was proud to be ⁣a member of because‍ I am a patriot and that’s a very special thing. Now, it’s just soiled, it’s dirty. It’s no longer the beautiful club that I thought it was,” McDermott​ said.


How⁤ has the ⁢controversy ⁢surrounding the DAR’s​ decision to allow men to join impacted the organization and its members?

Title:⁤ The Controversy Surrounding the Daughters of the American ⁤Revolution

Introduction:

The National Society ⁣Daughters ​of the American Revolution⁤ (DAR) has recently faced a significant controversy that ​has led to members ⁣contemplating leaving the organization. This controversy revolves around the organization’s decision to allow men​ to join the formerly all-female society, which ⁤has raised questions about the integrity ⁢of the lineage of true patriots. This article‌ will‌ provide‌ an overview of the⁢ controversy, including the organization’s history, the ⁢changes made to their⁢ membership policies, and⁣ the impact it has had on the DAR ⁤and its members.

History and Membership Requirements:

The DAR, founded in 1890, is a lineage-based membership⁣ organization ‍for women who ​can‍ prove direct ​descent from‌ individuals who supported the American Revolution. Its primary goals include promoting education‌ and patriotism. ⁢Until recently,‌ the DAR’s national ‌bylaws required applicants to be⁣ women who​ can prove ​lineal, bloodline descent from an ancestor who aided in achieving American independence.

Controversial Changes to Membership Policies:

According to recent reports, the DAR leadership has quietly allowed men ⁣with altered birth certificates to join DAR chapters across the United States without the knowledge of its members. This decision⁣ has ​raised ​concerns among longtime DAR members ⁣about the corruption of lineage possibilities for true patriots, as it undermines the historical foundation‍ and purpose of⁤ the organization.

Amendments and Rejection:

Last year, the DAR officially ⁤amended ‍its policies to include transgender ​members. ​However,⁤ in​ response, 12 chapters proposed amendments that would‌ require members to have biological characteristics of females in the context of ‍reproductive potential or capacity, such as sex⁤ chromosomes ⁣and naturally occurring sex hormones. ​They also⁤ requested the removal of all non-discrimination policy ⁤language about potential members and the requirement for original birth certificates or DNA proof of female gender.

Despite ⁤satisfying the​ national bylaw demands for endorsements‌ from at least‍ 10 ⁣chapters in five states, the proposed amendments were‌ rejected by DAR’s National Board‌ of Management in an almost unanimous vote on February 10.

Impact and Membership Decline:

The ‌controversy surrounding the DAR membership policies has resulted in an adverse impact on the organization.‍ Several members decided to leave the society either by resigning or refusing to⁤ pay dues. Reports suggest that the Nevada Sagebrush Chapter alone lost at least nine women, estimating a membership drop of 14 to 18 percent‌ across the United ​States since last year.

Conclusion:

The‍ controversy surrounding​ the‍ Daughters of the American Revolution centers around their decision to allow ⁢men to join the⁣ organization, which goes against its longstanding tradition as ​an all-female lineage-based society. ⁤The changes in membership policies have led to a​ decline⁣ in membership and ⁣raised concerns about the integrity of the DAR’s lineage and⁢ commitment to the ideals of ⁣the American Revolution. ⁤The debate continues within the organization, as ‍some members ⁢advocate for redefining the DAR’s mission and membership‌ requirements​ to⁣ address these concerns.



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