Local DAR Commemorates 100th Anniversary of ‘Votes for Women’

Kennesaw, GA – On Tuesday, August 18, the Kennesaw Mountain Chapter National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) commemorated the 100th Anniversary of the ratified 19th Amendment granting American women across the Country the right to vote by recognizing the local Cobb County Elections and Voters Registration office for their proper use and flying the Flag of the United States of America.

Second Vice Regent, Mrs. Brenda King, recognized the Cobb County Elections and Voters Registration office, located at 736 Whitlock Ave, Marietta, for its proper use, correct display, its continued patriotic presentation of the Flag of the United States of America. A plaque was presented to Ms. Janine Eveler, Director.

King, who also serves as The Flag of the United States of America Chair and active member of the Women’s Issues and American History committees encouraged members to dress in Edwardian-period-correct costumes to commemorate the special occasion.

“To honor our female ancestors, we donned accessories (hats, jewelry, gloves, handkerchiefs) that belonged to those who cast the first ‘Votes for Women’ movement,” states King whose grandmother was one of the first women to cast her vote during the 1920 national election in South Carolina.

“Our Registrar who also serves the Chapter as the Membership Chair, Mrs. Kate Sklikas, nominated the Cobb County Elections and Voters Registration office to recognize the ongoing efforts to fly the Flag”, says Loriann White, Regent. White’s grandmother was a member of the National American Women’s Suffrage Association (NAWSA), Bangor chapter and was an active voter since casting her first vote during the 1920 national election.

“Celebrating ‘Votes for Women’ by recognizing the [Cobb County] Voters Registration office for flying the United States Flag recognition on such a momentous occasion, brings light to the on-going faith, fortitude, and resolute determination of those committed to this noble cause brought about a victory that continues to inspire many women today. It is equally important that we continue to serve as role models in our community by recognizing individuals and groups that show correct usage of the [United States] Flag,” continues White.

Chapter members freely nominate local businesses and individuals for their patriotism, proper use, and display for the Flag. The plaques and certificates may be presented to individuals/groups to show appreciate for their respectful usage of the Flag of the United States.

The Flag Day was on June 14, however due to the COVID-19, safety measures and social distancing guidelines set by the CDC, State and local authorities were observed.

In 1909, the Flag of the United States of America committee was established in DAR to promote a deep patriotic sense of respect for our flag. The committee focuses on these principle objectives: to keep the flag flying and to protect it continuously under all conditions, as well as to educate citizens regarding its correct usage.

On this day in 1920, the 19th Amendment to our Constitution was ratified, securing the right to vote for women and marking a monumental step toward the “more perfect Union” envisioned by our Founders. This milestone in American history was the product of the tireless efforts of suffragists and other advocates for women’s rights, who steadfastly pursued their vision of a more just and equal society.

In the early days of our Nation’s fight for independence, future First Lady Abigail Adams penned a letter to her husband, John Adams, urging him to “remember the ladies” as he fought to preserve the fledgling United States. She advised him that “if particular care and attention is not paid to the ladies, we are determined to foment a rebellion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any laws in which we have no voice or representation.” In the decades that followed, bold trailblazers like Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Harriet Forten Purvis, and Frances Ellen Watkins Harper carried ahead and fought for the fundamental right of women to vote.

Members who accompanied King and Sklikas in the plaque presentation ceremony were Librarian Mrs. Brenda Harris, Mrs. Robin Jackmin, Ms. Lauren Upton, and Miss Effie Pike. Mr. Dan King, member of the Captain John Collins Chapter, National Society Sons of the American Revolution, along with Mr. Lawrence Jackmin were in attendance and served as the event’s photographers.

While women across the county were able to vote in the 1920 presidential election, Georgia women were not able to cast their ballots. The state of Georgia cited a rule that required voters to register 6 months before an election. While most other states waived this rule, allowing women to vote in the 1920 election, women in Georgia had to wait until 1922 to take part in a national election. Georgia ratified the 19th Amendment on February 20, 1970.

The chapter distributes U.S. Flags to local cemeteries by paying respects and honor to the veterans and their families. Additional activities are to distribute the Flag Code leaflets to local schools and youth organizations, retirement homes and at patriotic events such as Memorial Day, Veterans Day, Flag Day, and the Fourth of July and participate in local Nationalization Ceremonies.

The chapter organized May 2017, in the city of Kennesaw with thirteen members. Since its conception, the membership has grown 515 percent.

Additional businesses recognized by the chapter were the Vulcan Materials Company Southeast Division, the Flag Store in Acworth, the Kennesaw City Police Department in Kennesaw, the SunTrust Bank in Alpharetta and The Hotel at Avalon in Alpharetta, Georgia. Local Junior Reserve Officer Training Corp. (JROTC) units Etowah High School, and Kennesaw Mountain High School were also recognized for proper use and display of the Flag.

The Kennesaw Mountain Chapter has documented 34,248 volunteer hours dedicated to Service to America, by traveling year-to-date 16,799 miles to deliver thrift and supplies to veterans and active military and have recognized local citizens for patriotism, conservation, and historic preservation efforts. Additionally, the chapter has participated in Naturalization ceremonies by welcoming 1,776 newly naturalized citizens and distributed over 21,000 U.S Flags across Kennesaw, Cobb County, and the State of Georgia.

Moreover, the Chapter has honored 19 local Cobb County Women in American History, celebrated the U.S Constitution throughout the local schools, and adopted the Kennesaw City Cemetery by organizing the Wreaths Across America program in fall of 2019.

White continues, “I could not be prouder of Brenda, Kate and the members who helped commemorate and celebrate this special event for our community, local businesses and the Chapter.”

The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution was founded in 1890 to promote historic preservation, education, and patriotism. Its members are descended from the patriots who won American independence during the Revolutionary War. With nearly 185,000 members in approximately 3,000 chapters worldwide, DAR is one of the world's largest and most active service organizations. DAR members are committed to volunteer service having served more than 12.5 million hours in communities throughout the world during the past three years. To learn more about the work of today's DAR, visit www.DAR.org or connect with DAR on social media at facebook.com/TodaysDAR, twitter.com/TodaysDAR and youtube.com/TodaysDAR.

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