Daughters of the American Revolution Disbands Chapter Over Bylaw Violations

The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) National Board of Management voted to disband the Martha Laird Chapter in Texas, citing violations of the organization's national bylaws. The decision came after the chapter led efforts to challenge the eligibility of transgender women for membership.

In a letter to chapter members, DAR Organizing Secretary General Marguerite Hogan Fritsch stated that the National Board of Management approved the chapter's dissolution by a two-thirds majority vote on October 10. The letter indicated that the chapter's actions were found in violation of Article XIX, Section 4 of the DAR's bylaws.

The DAR confirmed to Fox News Digital that the local Texas chapter was disbanded. However, the organization clarified that the dissolution was not due to the chapter's views on membership but rather because chapter officers allegedly used the chapter's name, leadership positions, communications, and governance processes to further the goals of a separate advocacy organization. The Board determined that this use of chapter authority and resources, not the advocacy itself, constituted conduct discrediting the National Society.

The DAR further stated that the decision was not based on the chapter's or its members' views concerning membership eligibility, their efforts to propose bylaw changes, or their right to advocate for governance changes. In June, the national members rejected a resolution to add further membership restrictions. Individual members of the Martha Laird Chapter retain their DAR membership and are permitted to advocate for bylaw changes through established processes.

The Martha Laird Chapter, with support from 11 other chapters, had submitted a proposed bylaw amendment in September 2024 defining membership eligibility based on biological sex. This proposal was rejected by the DAR's National Board of Management in February 2025. A member of the chapter, Laura McDonald, had previously expressed to Fox News Digital that leadership was taking a political stance rather than fearing the loss of the organization's nonprofit status.

Legislation has also been introduced in Congress regarding DAR membership. In July, Rep. Ben Cline, R-Va., introduced the Daughters of the American Revolution Membership Integrity Act, which would amend DAR's congressional charter to restrict membership to biological women. Senator Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., subsequently introduced companion legislation in the Senate. Cline stated that the organization had embraced radical gender ideology at the expense of the women it was created to serve.

The Center for American Liberty provided legal assistance to the Martha Laird Chapter, challenging DAR leadership's assertion that excluding transgender applicants could jeopardize the organization's tax-exempt status.

Founded in 1890, the DAR has historically maintained that women with legally amended birth certificates could join if they met genealogical requirements. Under the dissolution notice, members of the Martha Laird Chapter will be transferred to member-at-large status and have until November 9 to join another chapter. Dues previously remitted to the chapter are to be refunded.