Descendants of 76 Chapter

Washington, DC
Organized November 3, 1909, as the Sarah St. Clair Chapter
(name changed October 1923)

Meetings, including luncheon, held alternately on 2nd Wednesdays and various Saturdays at 11:00 AM.  Meeting locations vary.

 E-mail Descendants of 76 Chapter

Our Chapter
The Descendants of 76 is comprised of a group of dynamic and interesting women who share an interest in community service and a dedication to patriotism. Our membership history includes one of the first female aviators in the U.S., a space shuttle astronaut, a United States Ambassador, and many other women with significant professional and personal accomplishments.  We enthusiastically welcome new members who bring their energy and ideas to our chapter.

DAR Accomplishments of Chapter Members

We are very proud of our members who have served on the Chapter, State, and National levels:                    

• Katherine Keating Elsasser, DC DAR State Librarian.

• Damitra Cook Meeds, past National Corresponding Secretary General,
  Honorary State Regent, President of the National Executive Cub, and current DC DAR Credentials  Chairman.

• Karen Meeds Falkenstein, 1994 National Outstanding Junior, Honorary Senior State President, D.C.C.A.R., and NSDAR Congressional Committee.

• Marlene Faulkner Taggart, Honorary State Regent, District of Columbia; and Chairman, DC DAR Finance Committee.

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• Anne Bailey, Chairman DC DAR Scholarship Committe.

• Emily Falkenstein, member NSDAR Congressional Page Committee.

• Sarah E. Falkenstein, President General's Personal Page.

• Erinn Micklo Gray member of NSDAR Property Beautification and Hospitality Committee and National Page Committee.

• Cindy Hays, Chairman, DC DAR Good Citizens Committee and member of NSDAR Property Beautification and Hospitality Committee.

• Ann Batson James, member NSDAR Buildings and Grounds Committee; and Chairman, DC DAR Genealogical Records Committee.

• Betty Jane Jordan,  Chairman, DC DAR Literacy Committee.

• Elizabeth Keys, member NSDAR Property Beautification and Hospitality Committee.

• Linda Law, Chairman, DC DAR Friends of the Library Committee.

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Chapter Officers 2006 - 2008

Wednesday, March  12, 2008                                 

Program:  Women of Courage

Speaker:   Nancy Kellerman, NSDAR Museum docent, public speaker, and member of Nelly Custis Chapter, VA DAR

Wednesday, April 9, 2008                                            

Program: Tour of the C.I.A.

Wednesday, May 14, 2008                                 

Program: Luncheon and Election of officers

Chapter History
The Sarah St. Clair Chapter was organized on November 3, 1909.  The Chapter was named in honor of the founding Regent’s husband’s great great grandmother, a patriot in the American Revolution.  On September 11, 1922, several members transferred to the Emily Nelson Chapter.  The remaining members selected a new name, “Descendants of 76.” 

Interesting Fact!  On June 15, 1918, the Chapter received into membership Mrs. Julia Purcell Gray, a Real Daughter whose father was a boyhood friend and neighbor of George Washington and served under him in the Revolution.

History of the Capitol Chapter

The Capitol Chapter of the DCDAR was organized on March 18, 1916, and celebrated its 50th anniversary at a luncheon in March 1966.  The Capitol Chapter disbanded in June 1982 and nineteen members of the Capitol Chapter joined the Descendants of 76 Chapter.

These members of the Capitol Chapter served as National or State Officers: 

• Mrs. Douglas G. Dwayer, Vice President General, NSDAR, State Treasurer, State Vice Regent, and State Regent

• Mrs. Flavia C. Boyer, State Chaplain

• Mrs. Pedro Capo-Rodriguez, State Recording Secretary

• Mrs. Catherine S. Nagle, State Historian