The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) recently held its 135th Continental Congress in Washington, D.C., where a member-driven proposal to restrict membership to those "born female" failed. The vote means the organization's leadership can proceed with opening membership to individuals who identify as female, a decision that has divided the organization.
The resolution was defeated by a vote of 1,481 to 984, following a contentious procedural debate. Delegates at the congress, who must document direct descent from a patriot of the American Revolution, debated the resolution for an extended period, with some attendees describing the process as engineered to yield the current outcome.
The DAR, a women-only service organization founded in 1890, has historically based its membership on genealogical and biological criteria. The debate reportedly centers on the inclusion of a small number of transgender members, estimated to be between two and five out of the organization's 190,000 members.
The voting process itself became a point of contention. An initial vote was halted due to claims of irregularities, leading to a lengthy second vote that required thousands of delegates to cast ballots individually. This process reportedly lasted approximately 12 hours, disrupting scheduled events such as luncheon, award ceremonies, and service projects. Some delegates reported feeling exhausted and that their participation was suppressed.
Members who opposed the resolution expressed concerns about the organization's future and identity. One delegate, identified as Erin from California, stated that the vote diminished her enthusiasm for the event and impacted her willingness to provide additional financial support beyond required dues. She noted a sentiment among like-minded members to limit contributions, potentially affecting the voluntary spending and donations that sustain the organization.