UPPER MERION — The vibrant and diverse community of the Pennsylvania State Society Daughters of the American Revolution announces its 127th Annual State Conference from April 25-27 at the Alloy Hotel in King of Prussia.
This gathering is expected to bring together nearly 450 members from various chapters across the state, including those from the Chester County, Great Valley, Bucks County, Independence Hall, Jeptha Abbott, Philadelphia, and Valley Forge chapters in a vibrant celebration of its core values of Education, Historic Preservation, and Patriotism.
Under the leadership of Pennsylvania State Regent, Marguerite Fritsch, the conference will ceremoniously commence on Thursday evening. Fritsch will emphasize the theme, “Love of Service to God, Home, and Country,” drawing emphasis from the Daisy, her chosen state flower, which symbolizes love and hope, and the service that members dedicate to their communities and the nation.
The conference will also spotlight Marguerite’s state project — restoring and preserving historic Old Swedes Cemetery, Chester, a final resting place for over 700 individuals, including Declaration of Independence signer John Morton and 11 Revolutionary War veterans.
The conference agenda is packed with workshops, business sessions, and committee meetings — all aimed at reinforcing DAR’s core values. The Welcome Dinner on Thursday evening promises a warm atmosphere for reconnecting with longtime friends and forging new ones.
A highlight of Friday morning will be the American Indians Breakfast, where Elizabeth Steward Garner, DAR National Chair of the American Indians Committee, will speak.
Garner will discuss the committee’s dedication to preserving American Indian culture and history and supporting educational endeavors through scholarships. Garner will share insights about the American Indians Committee scholarships, review how the process works, honor past scholarship recipients, thank members for their ongoing support, and outline plans for expanding support to more Native American students. Currently, DAR offers 10 unconditional scholarships of $4,000 each year and hopes to increase the number of scholarships and amounts awarded next year.
Garner has been active at all levels of the NSDAR, including Honorary State Regent of Michigan, Past Vice President General, and Past National Chair of DAR Schools. Garner also served as Senior State President of Michigan for the Children of the American Revolution and held numerous senior offices and chairmanships in that organization. She is a member of the John Sackett Chapter in Redford, Michigan, and is also related to him. During the American Revolution, Sackett served with the 3rd Regiment, Dutchess County Militia, New York.
Friday afternoon’s Project Patriot luncheon will support the United Service Organizations in its mission to provide comfort care and a feeling of “home away from home” for our country’s armed forces.
As a participant in “Rucksacks to Backpacks,” PSSDAR members will parade in with backpacks they filled and collected for children of military families. “Rucksacks to Backpacks” is a program that helps veterans by providing essential school supplies to their children. After guests arrive, the luncheon will start with a color guard presentation by the Valley Forge Military Academy and College Color Guard. There will be a short introduction, and then USO members will be on hand to collect the backpacks and load them into their USO trucks.
Speakers include Jenna Price, USO’s Central PA Center Operations and Programs Manager, and Peggy Whitcomb, National Chair of DAR Project Patriot, who will share insights on the committee’s efforts to enhance the lives of military personnel and their families. Born into a Navy family and a veteran herself, Peggy brings a personal connection to the DAR’s luncheon and the work it is undertaking. Peggy is a member of the Naval Reserves, her husband is a United States Marine, and her son is a Staff Sergeant in the Ohio National Guard. Peggy is currently a Human Resources Specialist for the Cuyahoga Falls City School District and is the Military Families Coordinator for the district. A member of the Cuyahoga Falls Chapter and the Ohio State Chair for the Project Patriot Committee, Peggy’s leadership underscores DAR’s commitment to honoring and supporting the armed forces.
On Saturday, the Juniors will host a luncheon for the PSSDAR, showcasing their projects and achievements throughout the year.
In Pennsylvania, there are over 500 Juniors between the ages of 18 and 35 who are instrumental to the state society’s success. Sarah Brooks, National Chair, Junior Membership, will speak at the luncheon, sharing the accomplishments of Juniors nationwide. Brooks hails from Louisiana, having served as a Chapter Regent, State Junior Membership Chair, State C.A.R. Chair, State Hospitality Chair, and State Marshall. She has also served at the National Level as Division Vice Chair of C.A.R. South Central and as Junior Membership Junior Shoppe Vice Chair. Brooks is the CEO of Louisiana Fire Extinguisher, a cancer survivor, and a Trustee for Women’s Hospital in Baton Rouge. She and her husband have helped raise millions of dollars for women in the community for services not covered by insurance.
Later that evening, the conference will culminate with a celebratory State Banquet featuring the sights and sounds of the Avalon String Band. The 127th Annual State Conference is sure to testify to the enduring values PSSDAR holds near and dear to its heart — promoting patriotism, preserving American history, and securing America’s future through better education for children.
The 2024 Conference Chair is Teri Fischer, with Susan Gillette Meer serving as the General Chair. Esteemed guests include Virginia Sebastian Storage, First Vice President General; S. Renee Pace, State Regent of Missouri; Kathleen A. Sterenberg, State Regent of New Hampshire; Elizabeth Steward Garner, National Chair, American Indians; Peggy Whitcomb, National Chair, DAR Project Patriot, and Sarah Brooks, National Chair, Junior Membership, NSDAR, and underscoring the significance of this special gathering.
The Pennsylvania State Society Daughters of the American Revolution is proud of its diverse and dynamic membership, representing women from all walks of life united by their dedication to and passion for service. Women of all backgrounds and ages represent the PSSDAR, with 94 active chapters in six districts, more than 6,400 members, and 500 junior members. Any woman 18 years or older, regardless of race, religion, or ethnic background, who can prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution, is eligible for membership. To join, please contact the State Membership Chair at statemembershipchair@pssdar.org.
The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution is a non-profit, non-political volunteer women’s service organization whose members can trace their lineage to an individual who contributed to securing American independence during the Revolutionary War. Since its founding in 1890, the DAR has grown to include over 185,000 members in 3,000 chapters worldwide, providing millions of hours of volunteer service to their local communities across the country and the world. In addition, DAR chapters participate in projects to promote historic preservation, education, and patriotism.
For more information or to join, go to www.dar.org.
