Members of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) are organizing to reaffirm the organization's historical stance on membership, following a recent vote at the 135th Continental Congress. Delegates rejected a resolution that would have explicitly stated that only biological women are eligible for membership, a decision that has prompted concerns among some members about the organization's future direction.
The DAR, founded in 1890, was established by women who were excluded from the male-only Sons of the American Revolution. The organization's founding principles are rooted in honoring the female lineage and contributions of women during the American Revolution. Proving eligibility for the DAR requires meticulous genealogical research to establish a documented bloodline connection across generations, a process that highlights biological reality.
Critics of the recent vote argue that allowing individuals who identify as transgender women to join redefines the meaning of "daughter" and undermines the historical foundation of the society, which is based on female lineage and experience. They contend that biological sex, determined by chromosomes and gametes, is fundamental to the concept of lineal descent and the organization's identity.
In response to the vote, a significant number of DAR chapters are calling for a special meeting in October to directly address membership eligibility. According to the provided notes, fewer than 2,500 of the DAR's 190,000 active members participated in the recent vote. Over 100 chapters across 34 states have initiated the process, as outlined in the DAR bylaws, to convene this special gathering. This effort aims to provide a platform for broader discussion on whether the DAR will maintain its focus on biological female lineage or evolve its membership criteria.
Organizers of this movement emphasize that their goal is not division but stewardship of the organization's founding principles. They believe that women's single-sex spaces, whether in heritage groups, athletics, or other associations, are important because sex-based realities and shared experiences matter. The push for a special meeting reflects a commitment from concerned members to ensure the DAR remains true to its original purpose of honoring ancestors and preserving history through the lens of female descent.