BEGINNING 30th Birthday Gold Trail Chapter 10-28-07
[001a] The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution was organized in 1890 in Washington, DC. Many heritage societies were organized during that period of time because genealogy was the rage and everyone wanted to belong to a society with some social prestige.
Patriotism was considered a badge of honor.
However, [001b] there probably wouldn’t be a DAR today if the Sons of the American Revolution had not refused to accept women as members. The four founders of the Society were working women [001c], two were widowed professional women and two were single women who worked for the Federal Government in Washington D.C. Those women in 1890 were very aware of women’s rights and they were supportive of the suffrage movement...... so, they moved forward with their own heritage society. The Sons [001c] have been sorry ever since...... however they have been very supportive through the years.
Today the DAR has the largest membership of any heritage society and owns more real estate [002a] than any other women’s organization in the world. Memorial Continental Hall, built in 1905[002b], is a National Historic Landmark. The Administration building joins [002c] this Landmark with another beautiful building, also a National Historic Landmark, Constitution Hall [003], dedicated in 1929. These buildings occupy a full city block [004] in our nation’s capitol.....just three blocks from the White House [005].
So what are the objectives of this women’s organization [005b] with 2,815 chapters throughout the United States and ten countries, counting a total membership of over 162,000. The DAR is a non-profit, non-political, volunteer women’s service organization dedicated to promoting patriotism, preserving American history and securing America’s future through education.
In the beginning the Daughters knew how to do it right!!!!!! [006] The first President of the DAR was Caroline Scott Harrison, the wife of the President of the United States, Benjamin Harrison. What social status the Daughters enjoyed!!!!! Can you imagine the glorious receptions held in the White House to honor the Daughters of the American Revolution?????? What happened to that spirit of patriotism, preservation and education which existed at that time? The President, Benjamin Harrison, was a member of SAR and encouraged the objectives of the Daughters.
At the same time all this organizing was going on in Washington, the states were anxious to participate. It is surprising to many that a woman from California was appointed by Mrs. Harrison to be the first State Regent in 1891. Sarah Isabelle Hubbard [007] , Mrs. Adolphus S. Hubbard formed the first chapter of DAR in San Francisco and the name of the chapter was Sequoia. The first chapter meeting was held on January 6, 1892 with 17 charter members.
California was the 8th State Society organized in the nation.
And so that was the beginning of California Daughters participating in patriotic education such as respect for the flag[008] , citizen responsibility and love of country. They designated historic dates to be remembered and preserved historic sites and buildings. One of those sites being the end of the Pony Express Trail right here in Sacramento. They survived a major earthquake and fire in San Francisco even though many of their genealogical records were destroyed. By the time of the earthquake in 1906, there were 12 chapters in California and Sequoia Chapter boasted a membership of 152.
After 100 years of research [009], recording and publishing genealogical records, the DAR has provided lineage records for easy access to membership. In the past 20 years [010] DAR has paid a professional genealogist to do the research for a publication [011] entitled, “African American and American Indian Patriots of the Revolutionary War.” New doors of opportunity have opened for membership.
The DAR Library [013a] in the national headquarter is one of the largest genealogical research centers in the United States. It is a specialized collection [013b] of American genealogical and historic manuscripts and publications. It is open to the public for research.
[014a] The DAR Museum also located in the national headquarters is a showcase for American furnishings [014b] and decorative arts prior to 1830. There are 31 period rooms with docent guided tours scheduled daily. [014c] It, too, is open to the public.
The first Children [015a] of the American Revolution Society in California was formed in 1896 in San Francisco. These children are trained to become good citizens, [015b] to develop leadership skills and to practice patriotism.....love of country. Margaret Ann Coffroth, Jacqie Coffroth’s daughter, served as National President of C.A.R. in 1973. [015c] We all know Jacqie, a Past Regent of Sacramento Chapter. She also
served in State [015c] officer positions and was present at the organizing meeting of the Gold Trail Chapter in 1977.
In the mid 1960's California had a State Regent who would go on to be Historian General and then President General. [018a] Eleanor Washington Spicer would be the first President General from California, serving 1971-74. [018b] It was during her term that I became of member. You see, my Mother-In-Law, Lorna Owen Kemper, served as Chaplain General in the Spicer Administration and she decided I just had to be a Daughter, too. Who wants to argue with her husband’s mother?
Emigrant Trail Chapter, [019a] organized in 1951 in Auburn was my first home in DAR. Anabel Higgins was my mentor [019b]. She was the Queen of Emigrant Trail. She attended every meeting on every level, had served as Regent, State Librarian and District Director. She was married to Daniel Higgins, Placer County District Attorney.
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Many of the new members joining Emigrant Trail Chapter lived someplace between Sacramento and Auburn. In 1977, several members considered the possibility of organizing a new chapter in Roseville due to travel distance and population growth. Two women who had served as Regent of Emigrant Trail were to become organizing members of the new chapter. After the State Regent recommended the new chapter be organized, twelve members transferred to Member at Large and the process began
through the national society.
In May a meeting was held [020a] in the home of Dorla Dean Eaton Kemper (ME) and she agreed to be the Organizing Regent. The name “Gold Trail” was chosen since Roseville [020b] is located in the famous Mother Lode area which is famous for the discovery of gold in 1848. On October 14, 1977 the chapter was organized with Driscilla Strehlow [020c], the State Regent officiating. Marilyn Vaughn [020d] of Davis was serving a State Organizing Secretary. Other officers attending were Pat Stebbins, Bernadine Swadley,and Jacqualine Coffroth. In the first year, membership increased to 18, which included two Junior Members. My daughter, Kara Lee was one of those Juniors.
Loleta Minard [021a] was to be the next Regent, 1978-80 and membership would increase to 31 during her term...... we were on our way to grow and become a presence in our community. Loleta was already a presence in Roseville [021b]. She was one of the original owners of stock in Roseville Telephone Company....now Surewest. She was a dynamic woman with a mild and sweet demeanor.....a business woman who knew all the merchants in Roseville. [021c] The chapter received many awards for DAR Magazine Advertising due to Loleta knowing how to twist the arms of Roseville business men. It was Loleta who gave the first $500 to establish the Friendship Fund in California to help those in need pay their national dues. She gave a complete set of Bancroft History
books to the state headquarters including the bookcase. She volunteered at the local hospital one day a week and at the Christian book store one day a week. One day a week was set aside for her garden where she worked with loving heart and hands. Loleta lived to be 100 !!!
Ruth McElroy served 1980-82 as Regent. [022] She was a Charter Member, a retired teacher, a strong leader, a great organizer and we were sorry to lose her when she and her husband moved to Oklahoma. Mrs. Kemper was elected to serve as State Registrar when the conference was held in San Diego in 1980. (left to right….)
Ina Dickie [023a] served as Regent, 1982-84, while Mrs. Kemper served as State Vice Regent. In 1982 while Betty Duncan served as /State Regent the state society purchased a beautiful old home [023b] on a big, beautiful, shady lot in Glendora, California which would become the official state head quarters.
Josephine Sleeper [024a] served as Regent, 1984-86, while Mrs. Kemper served as State Regent. In 1985 during Mrs. Kemper’s term as state regent the $70,000 mortgage was paid in full on the Glendora Headquarters.
Mary Beth Watson [024b] served as Regent, 1986-88, while Mrs. Kemper served as Recording Secretary General, in the Ann Fleck [025a] Administration.
Gayle-Ann Johnson [026] served as Regent, 1988-90. Gayle-Ann went on to be State Treasurer, State Organizing Secretary and District Director.
Roberta Prentice [027a] served as Regent for two terms, 1990-1994 and kept the chapter floating with her wonderful disposition and leadership skills. She went on to be District Director and then State Librarian. We were sorry to lose her when Don took her off to Colorado where they retired in Grand Junction. Bobbi’s sisters [027b] ……
In 1991 California DAR celebrated it’s centennial year. Martha B. Hanley [027c] served as State Regent at that time. A small history of the California State Society was published. The name of the book is “ Deeds Not Dreams.” Susan Montgomery, as State Historian, edited the book for publication. A California centennial pin was designed by J. E. Caldwell and many daughters wear that pin on their official ribbon. California had 145 chapters and 9,645 members in 1991.
Mary Beth Watson [028] served as Regent once more, 1994-96 while this officer was President General. She made a surprise presentation to the PG on the stage of Constitution Hall in front of the Continental Congress...... with her 25 year Certificate...... probably the only 25 year Certificate signed by the President General for herself...... without knowing she had signed it. We all know Mary Beth has been a rock of support for the chapter through the years.
Pamela Sealy [029] served as Regent 1996-98, also during my term as President General. The Gold Trail Chapter was so supportive and enthusiastic during this period of time and I shall be forever grateful to my chapter, my district and my state for that support. The chapter scrap books tell a glowing story of our chapter’s participation.
Nancy E. Sellnow [030a] served as Regent 1998-2000 and became our Junior Star. She was California’s Outstanding Junior in 2000 and went on to be Division Winner and then First Runner Up for National Outstanding Junior. [030d] She has been a Personal Page to two President’s General and two Recording Secretary Generals. Nancy has worked on all levels of the society and she has been a real credit to our Gold Trail Chapter. Of course, her mother, Mary Beth [030c] had nothing to do with Nancy’s participation. Katie, Nancy’s daughter, [030b] can definitely be proud of her mother and grandmother. What great training she will have in years to come! A special thanks to Nancy’s husband , Bruce, for helping us get so many pictures into the program.
From 1998-2001 this daughter served as a national chairman after being elected to the office of Honorary President General for life. She was appointed to serve as National Chairman of the World War II Challenge Committee. During this period of time the Daughters across the nation raised almost a half million dollars in support of the building of that beautiful memorial which is only two blocks away from the DAR complex of buildings. On Memorial Day 2004 the World War II Memorial was officially dedicated and this Daughter representing all the Daughters was there to participate as one of the major donors to the fund. Senator Bob Dole served as National Co-chairman of the fund raising campaign and became a good friend of DAR. We think that man has good taste when it comes to women!! You see, his wife Senator Elizabeth Dole is a member of DAR and was a member of C.A.R. originally. Our own Dorothy Alexander, now deceased, did an outstanding job as Chapter Chairman. 1,819 California Daughters were donors to the fund raising project and honored 3,729 patriots in the NSDAR Book of Remembrance. California has the largest state contribution to the memorial fund in the amount of $42,095. A certificate for Outstanding Achievement was awarded to the State Regent, Linda Gist Calvin by the President General, Georgane Love at the 110th Continental Congress.
Celeste L. Cox [035] served as Regent 2000-2002 and has been involved with the Junior Membership in California and on the national level for years. She started her training in C.A.R. under her mother’s supervision. Gayle Ann has sent Celeste in the right direction . The chapter, District II, and the state have benefited from her support.
Margaret Ahrendt [036] served as Regent 2002-2004 and has been a motivating member ever since she transferred from Ohlone Chapter, Fremont. She has been a direct line of communication with the new residents of Sun City, Roseville and many of our new members have come from the more populated areas of California. We have had several garden tours in Sun City and Margaret has always been at the center of that effort. Margaret is a mover and a shaker with her volunteer efforts in the community. We are lucky to have her as a member. When Gold Trail Chapter members [037] celebrated their 25th Anniversary on October 19, 2000 they had a lovely [037b] luncheon at
Wood Creek Country Club. A [038] “Vintage Fashion Show” dating back to the early 1800's was coordinated by [039] Wilma Curnutt and the Regent, Margaret Ahrendt. Members of the chapter [040] modeled the clothing. We were pleased to have our own [042] Honorary State Regent Linda Gist Calvin as a guest and our present District Director, Martha Leong was with us also. The membership count was at 71.
Io Beyer [043] served as Regent 2004-2006 and at the same time she worked as Registrar to increase our membership. She is good at what she does and we are proud of our membership count. Her husband, Ed is an active SAR member and we appreciate his support. Io continues to serve the chapter as Registrar and informs us that we have 95 members in Gold Trail Chapter, one application pending, one transfer in and two prospective members. In the past year alone, we have welcomed 20 new members to Gold Trail Chapter.
Chapter Yearbook – Linda Picture at the top as in State Board - Regent
And how lucky we are to have had Linda Winthers come along!!!!!! Linda’s cousin, Patricia Surber, prepared her papers for her...... like so many Daughters have had application papers and the genealogy done for them by others, including me. Linda is a retired school administrator of the San Juan School District. She is enthusiastic and motivates the members to participate on the chapter, state and national level. In fact, Gold Trail Chapter [044b] had eight members attending Continental Congress this year. We have a dynamic group of Officers directing our work and we have made great strides in public relations, fund raising and participation in community activities. We have come a long way since 1977 and we look forward to the future.
And so...... the past 30 years have been filled with all the activities Daughters do and have done for 117 years. The work has been consistent through the years, always relating to providing education, preserving history and promoting patriotism. DAR is a service organization where time and money are donated to these main objectives.
Gold Trail Chapter has participated in patriotic parades, placed flags on cemetery graves on Memorial Day, marked historic spots in our area, marked graves of our deceased members, worked in precincts on election day, held garage sales to raise funds, promoted the sale of cook books featuring favorite cookie receipts of our country’s Presidents, volunteered in fund raising for local libraries, presented genealogical records and publications to local libraries and the DAR Library in Washington, participated in patriotic dedications of memorials, given respected recognition to veterans, volunteered hours of serv ice to our local VA Hospital as well as donating clothing and personal comfort items to veterans, recognized and honored American History teachers, Good Citizens and Outstanding Community leaders, recognized young men and women in the high school ROTC program, presented flags to schools, wrapped Christmas gifts at Border’s Books, planted trees of dedication, sponsored garden tours and receptions, cooperated with SAR (Sons of the American Revolution) in celebrating patriotic occasions, gave monetary awards and scholarships to students and joined with the Boy Scouts to demonstrate the manner in which an old, worn American flag is put to rest.
The Daughters travel to other chapter celebrations, district meetings and state meetings where instructions are given for adopted projects. They are proud of their elected leaders, who by the way pay their own expenses while serving the Society, with the exception of the State Regents and the President General who receives a stipend for travel expenses. Members give their whole hearted support for the work of the Society. The most fun of all is traveling to Washington, DC each year for the Continental Congress where the work of the organization comes together and weaves a beautiful tapestry of service. There is no other women’s organization in the United States which has lived so long and accomplished so much in service to others. It is a little known story but Gold Trail Chapter is determined to tell that story in our community by the deeds we do for others.