Who We Are
Meet Our Chapter
Soon after the death of Mary Desha, one of the founders of the DAR, it was decided a fitting tribute would be to found a chapter in her name. On March 1, 1911, the Mary Desha Chapter, NSDAR, had its first meeting in Washington, D.C. Since then we’ve continued to reflect our namesake’s patriotic and independent spirit. Mary Desha Daughters come from a variety of backgrounds, but what binds us is our curiosity about our country and its history, as well as a desire to serve in our communities.
Our 2020-2022 Officers
Regent
Elizabeth Fahey
Vice Regent
Kathleen Burnett
Chaplain
Karen Misiano
Recording Secretary
Alison Mundy
Corresponding Secretary
Debbie Hawkins
Treasurer
Kim Holland
Registrar
Melissa Barrett
Historian
Mary Anne Leginus
Librarian
Babette OrtizMary Desha Daughters Serving at the State Level
Karen Pearson Leginus
DCDAR State LibrarianSample Description
Our Namesake
The Mary Desha Chapter, NSDAR, is a little over one hundred years young, and we are named for Mary Desha, a founder and beloved leader of the DAR. We are the last of the original chapters named for one of the four DAR founders. We continue to be inspired by the life and character of “Miss Molly,” one of the first women to teach in Alaska. She always called herself a working woman, and she is remembered for saying DAR “is in no sense an aristocratic organization. It is a patriotic organization.”