2021 August Workshop and 2020 State Awards of National and State Committees

Due to the uptick in the Covid-19 Delta Variant, the 2021 August Workshop for the Tennessee Society, Daughters of the American Revolution (TSDAR) was held virtually for the second year. Moreover, graduation for those ladies who had completed the Members Course and New Horizons Course was formally acknowledged at a Zoom meeting on October 28.

Nineteen Martha Dandridge Washington (MDW) Chapter, National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) members participated in the online sessions on August 14, while 6 course graduates were recognized at the October virtual event.

Highlighted workshop sessions included those for specific officers and others for general attendance ranging from “Treasures of the Tennessee Room” in the NSDAR Museum, Washington, D.C., to “DAR Is in Your DNA” aimed at using DNA to determine ancestry links to Revolutionary Patriots. “America 250!” shared ways DAR chapters can engage their communities in education, historic preservation, and patriotism in preparation for the celebration of the 250^th Anniversary of the independence of the United States of America in 2026.

MDW Chapter graduates of the Members Course and the New Horizons Course received their certificates and cords at the October chapter meeting on October 9 and were recognized virtually by the TSDAR Leadership Committee on October 28.

The MDW ladies who graduated from the Members Course and their Individual Projects are as follows: First Vice Regent Janet Guyett, collection and donation of 346 items of clothing, personal care supplies, and recreational materials for veterans at the James H. Quillen VA Medical Center, Mountain Home, TN; Scrapbook/Pressbook Chairman Shirlene Morgan, organization of several years’ worth of chapter clipping, brochures, programs, and miscellany into an attractive scrapbook to preserve the history of the chapter; Constitution Week Chairman Glenda Roach, research, design and display of names of 51 Jefferson County women who were eligible to vote in the first election following the ratification of the 19^th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in 1920; Becky Anderson, planting and nurturing of a white dogwood tree in Elkhorn City, KY, in honor of Arbor Day; and Pam Teague, writing and conducting of a tree dedication ceremony to honor the 100^th Anniversary of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and World Environment Day, both on June 5.

Treasurer Wendy Randolph graduated from the New Horizons Course. Her Capstone Project was to nominate and provide the supporting documentation for Robert Jarnagin, Jefferson County Historian, to receive the Historic Preservation Recognition Award from the NSDAR.

Following the online workshop, chapters were sent awards for achievements throughout 2020. The MDW Chapter received 87 awards in areas as diverse as American History, American Indians, Commemorative Events, Constitution Week, DAR Leadership Training, DAR Schools, DAR Service for Veterans, Historic Preservation, National Defense, Public Relations and Media, and Women’s Issues.

For information about the DAR, contact Registrar Karen McFarland at (865) 258-8670 or Regent Jane Chambers at (865) 591-3857.

Regent Jane Chambers and DAR Schools Chairman Anne Word present a red cord and certificate to Shirlene Morgan for completion of the Members Course.

Treasurer Wendy Randolph receives her blue cord and certificate from Regent Jane Chambers and DAR Schools Chairman Anne Word.