For
years, The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution recognized
the need to create a third chapter in England, one which would accommodate
members in northern England and Scotland. The feasibility began
to take shape during the autumn of 2002 when NSDAR President General
Mrs. Linda Tinker Watkins and her entourage visited Scotland.
Prospective Northern England members Patricia Everts, Marie Fletcher,
and Martha Bodner attended a planning meeting with advisors from national
and a plan was devised to organize a new chapter. The challenge
was to locate and recruit DAR members in the region, process applications,
finalize organization paperwork, and choose a name for the new chapter.
Through
energetic and enthusiastic planning by these three ladies and guidance
and assistance from the two existing English chapters, St. James Chapter
and Walter Hines Page Chapter, as well as NSDAR, the Units Overseas
Committee, and DAR sisters worldwide, success was within our grasp.
To
a flurry of excitement, Washington Old Hall Chapter, NSDAR, United
Kingdom, was organized on October 3, 2003, with nine members coming
together to share patriotic interests and to promote DAR within England.
The nine organizing members, and the jewels of the chapter were Mrs. Martha Bodner, Mrs.
Penny Dover, Ms. Patricia Everts, Mrs. Marie Fletcher, Mrs. Jeanie
Gonering, *Mrs. LaDonna Mayville, *Miss Mary Owens, *Miss Rachael
Robinson, and *Miss Sarah Robinson. The chapter
became the third United Kingdom Chapter, and the twentieth Units Overseas
chapter.
Original
Chapter Officers:
Regent - Ms. Patricia O'Brien Everts
Vice Regent - Mrs. Penelope Woodings Dover
Chaplain/Historian - Mrs. LaDonna Nelson Mayville
Secretary - Mrs. Marie NeSmith Fletcher
Treasurer - Mrs. Martha Vick Bodner
Chapter
Charter Members:
Before
the chapter's first anniversary, four more ladies and further jewels
of our chapter were welcomed to chapter membership.
Mrs.
Genevieve Chenette of Manassas, Virginia, a new applicant member and
mother of Chapter Registrar Jeanie Gonering.
Miss
Peggy DuCharme of Glasgow, Scotland, a transfer member from Alafia
Chapter, Florida.
Miss
Elizabeth Vary of Harrogate, England, a new applicant Junior Member
and military active duty United States Naval officer.
*Organizing Junior Members.
