Women throughout Alabama are joining the national fight to preserve the integrity of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) by ensuring that membership remains as its founders intended, limited to women. They are fighting the infiltration of men who identify as women.
The fight reached a fever pitch when national leadership stacked the deck, ignoring the will of members from around the nation to force a vote at its 135th Continental Congress in late June. In a 12-hour closed-door meeting that read more like a hostage negotiation, leadership presented the opinion of a rabidly outspoken pro-LGBTQ+ lawyer that attempts to block men who identify as women would be illegal. Although a second legal opinion, in line with recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions, was available, members were not presented with both opinions.
"The admission of the first man into DAR occurred sometime between 2013 and 2016 following a reinterpretation of the Society's bylaws that was never disclosed to the membership. Over the years that followed, additional men were admitted under the same interpretation, yet most Daughters remained unaware that such a change had occurred," an article in Evie Magazine that detailed what unfolded at the Continental Congress explained.
According to its website, the Alabama Society of the DAR was established in 1894, and today it has over 4,000 members in 71 chapters across the state.
Six of those 71 chapters from across the state have joined a call to hold a special meeting to update the national by-laws to define women. Those chapters are being called Resolute Chapters. 1819 News spoke to four members from around the state who are firm in their belief that the organization needs to adopt formal measures to protect the organization.
Daughters Advocating for Restoration is the formal group working on the change. The group has raised just over $71,000 in a GiveSendGo fundraiser to date and has an active social media presence for members to share information and support.
Their mission is "dedicated to Restoring, preserving, and promoting women-only membership in historical women-only societies as according to the Laws of Nature and Nature's God. Our mission is to advocate for the protection, recognition, and Restoration of exclusive female-at-birth membership for historic women-only societies so that they may thrive free from external pressures. We achieve this by conducting educational campaigns, supporting policy initiatives, policy research, public education, community engagement, and building coalitions, with a commitment to Truth, Divine Providence, and God."
While they are not named on the website, online sources tell 1819 News that they include two South Alabama chapters: the D'Iberville Chapter (Mobile) and the Bon Secour Chapter (Gulf Shores), as well as the Princess Sehoy Chapter (Birmingham).
"With the SCOTUS ruling to keep women's sports only XX today it is time for the Daughters of the American Revolution National Headquarters to do the same!" Beth Simpson Quave wrote in a social media post.
"I took an oath over 15 years ago to uphold this society. I have served as Historian , Registrar, and Chaplain during these years. I promised to uphold the constitution and the bylaws and will continue to fight for this organization that I love dearly," she continued.
"I did not take an oath to agree that trans women are women. Scare tactics of losing tax exemption is false. We are a women's organization. Daughters, now is not the time to retreat. Truth will prevail! If you are interested we are recruiting," Quave said.
Several women 1819 News spoke to would not go on the record for fear of retaliation. Tricia Strange said that members have faced various consequences for speaking out. She has had her account limited on some DAR-related social media pages for her blunt answers to questions about the issue.
"My ancestors did not fight in the Revolutionary War for this. They did not shoot someone and then apologize for it. What is right is right. What is wrong is wrong," Strange said.
She encouraged other women in DAR to speak out.
"They need to support womanhood from birth. Why does every outlet that a woman has have to be infiltrated by a man?"
When asked about the small percentage of Alabama chapters that have become Resolute Chapters, Strange said that the number "seems low." 1819 News heard from multiple sources that additional chapters could be taking up the issue in the coming days or weeks.
She and other members who spoke to 1819 News said that several factors could be at play for the current participation rate. Among those listed are a lack of awareness of the seriousness of the problem, misinformation being spread about the legality of keeping the organization for women, and the age of the membership may lend itself to lower social media use.
Although the effort to restore the integrity of the organization has met the bylaw threshold required to petition for a Special Meeting, which supporters contend obligates the president general to call a meeting on October 11, 2026, supporters are still hoping that more chapters across the state and nation will join the fight.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email [email protected]
Don't miss out! Subscribe to our newsletter and get our top stories every weekday morning, or become a member to gain access to exclusive content and 1819 News merch.
