Southern Dames of America
 | |
| Abbreviation | SDA or NSSDA |
|---|---|
| Established | November 1962 |
| Founders | Kathryn Slaughter Wittichen |
| Founded at | Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. |
| Type | lineage society, charity |
| Patricia E. Gallagher | |
Publication | The Journal |
| Website | sda1962.org |
The National Society Southern Dames of America (often abbreviated as SDA or NSSDA) is an American lineage society and charitable organization for women of Southern heritage that supports ophthalmic research and promotes patriotic, educational, and benevolent endeavors. The society built and maintains the Helen Keller Memorial Gazebo at Ivy Green, the birthplace and childhood home of Helen Keller in Tuscumbia, Alabama.
History
[edit]In November 1962, a group of women decided to form an organization for women of Southern ancestry to promote education, patriotic and literary causes, and fund scholarships.[1] The society, whose membership is by invitation only, is for women whose families helped shape the cultural, civic, and historical landscape of the American South.[2]
The society's first national assembly was held at the Atlanta Biltmore Hotel in Atlanta between June 2 and June 6, 1963.[1] The chartering officers of the national society were Kathryn Slaughter Wittichen, honorary president and founder; Doris Walker Lyle, national president; Ms. Henry Frost Chadeayne, national vice president at large; Mrs. Allen D. O'Brian, national secretary; Mrs. Richard B. Redwood, national treasurer; Mrs. Thomas W. Huey, national historian; and Mrs. George T. Winn, national chaplain.[1] The name "Southern Dames" was suggested by charter member Adylise Sherrod Grimsley of Fayette, Alabama.[3]
The second national assembly was held at the Willard Hotel in Washington, D.C. from April 22 to April 26, 1964.[1]
In January 1965, the Georgia Society of the Southern Dames of America held a luncheon at the Capital City Club in Atlanta, where national vice president Mrs. Hiram Mozley discussed plans for the national society's European tour.[4] The national president, Mrs. Lee H. Lyle, was also in attendance and gave updates on two of the national society's major projects, the Thomas Jefferson Political Science and History Award and the Eye Bank Program.[4]
The society's main goals are to support ophthalmic research and promote patriotic, educational, and benevolent endeavors.[5] Members of the society financially support various eye care centers, hospitals, and schools for the blind.[6][7] On May 10, 1981, the Southern Dames dedicated the Helen Keller Memorial Gazebo at Ivy Green, the birthplace and childhood home of Helen Keller, who was an honorary member of the society, in Tuscumbia, Alabama.[3] A historic marker was unveiled at the gazebo by National President Margaret Boatright.[3] The Southern Dames continues to provide funds for maintenance of the gazebo at Ivy Green.[3]
Notable members
[edit]- Julie Noegel Hardaway, President General of the United Daughters of the Confederacy
- Helen Keller (honorary member), author, disability rights advocate, and political activist
- Virginie de Pusy Lafayette, French aristocrat
- Cher Sesma, President National of the U.S. Daughters of 1812
- Sheryl Sims, quilter and arts commissioner
- Ginnie Sebastian Storage, President General of the Daughters of the American Revolution
- Kathryn Slaughter Wittichen, founder of Southern Dames of America, President General of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, and President of the Miami Women's Club
List of national presidents
[edit]The presidents of the National Society Southern Dames of America have been:[8]
| Number | President | Years in office | State of membership |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kathryn Slaughter Wittichen (Mrs. Murray F.) | 1962–1963 | Florida |
| 2 | Doris Walker Lyle (Mrs. Lee H.) | 1963–1966 | Georgia |
| 3 | Winifred Simpson Yarrington (Mrs. R. Grayson) | 1968–1970 | Maryland |
| 4 | Emily Vance (Mrs. Herbert O.) | 1970–1972 | Florida |
| 5 | Lillian Everhart (Mrs. Edgar Jr.) | 1972–1974 | Georgia |
| 6 | Kathleen Plaster (Mrs. Dan Sr.) | 1974–1976 | Florida |
| 7 | Martha Jo Wallace (Mrs. William G.) | 1978–1980 | Florida |
| 8 | Margaret Boatright (Mrs. L. T. Jr.) | 1980–1982 | New Mexico |
| 9 | Melva M. Koonce (Mrs. James A.) | 1982–1984 | Alabama |
| 10 | Kay Milton (Mrs. John) | 1984–1986 | Florida |
| 11 | Ann Seay Briglia (Mrs. Arnold E.) | 1986–1988 | Alabama |
| 12 | Fritzi K. Martin (Mrs. Jack L.) | 1988–1990 | Louisiana |
| 13 | Hannah Jones (Mrs. Richard M.) | 1990–1992 | Florida |
| 14 | Anne B. Bradford | 1992–1994 | Tennessee |
| 15 | Shirley Spuhler (Mrs. Shelby) | 1994–1996 | Texas |
| 16 | Carolyn N. Godwin | 1996–1998 | Alabama |
| 17 | Polly Hutson (Mrs. William H.) | 1998–2000 | Florida |
| 18 | Frances W. Hawkins (Mrs. D.S.) | 2000–2002 | Maryland |
| 19 | Catherine F. Brister | 2002–2004 | Florida |
| 20 | Carolee P. McKinstry (Mrs. Sam W.) | 2004–2006 | Tennessee |
| 21 | Mary F. Rever (Mrs. William B. Jr.) | 2006–2008 | Maryland |
| 22 | Nelly G. Shearer (Mrs. William O.) | 2008–2010 | Tennessee |
| 23 | Dorothy Lee | 2010–2012 | Louisiana |
| 24 | Robin R. Towns (Mrs. Robert) | 2012–2014 | Georgia |
| 25 | L. Sue Comerford (Mrs. Richard J. Jr.) | 2014–2016 | Florida |
| 26 | Gabrielle "Gaby" Hadyka (Mrs. Joseph) | 2016–2018 | Texas |
| 27 | Camille Lowery (Mrs. Clifford) | 2018–2018 Died in office | Georgia |
| 28 | Brenda Hamilton | 2018–2020 | North Carolina |
| 29 | Bonnell "Bonnie" Wheeler Lashley | 2020–2022 | Georgia |
| 30 | Melissa Harrison Fisher | 2022–2024 | Maryland |
| 31 | Jessieanne Wells | 2024–2026 | Kentucky |
| 32 | Patricia E. Gallagher | 2026–present | Georgia |
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- 1 2 3 4 "Chronological History of the National Society Southern Dames of America, Inc". Southern Dames of America. Archived from the original on September 29, 2016. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
- ↑ "History". Southern Dames of America. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 Lowery, Camille Redfern (2013). "National Society National Society Southern Dames of America: Southern Dames of America: The First Fifty Years The First Fifty Years 1962 ~ 2012" (PDF). Southern Dames of America. Retrieved August 19, 2026.
- 1 2 "Southern Dames Set Meeting". The Atlanta Constitution. Atlanta, Georgia. January 26, 1965. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
- ↑ "Southern Dames of America". Montgomery County News. Montgomery, Texas. February 10, 2016. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
- ↑ "Southern Dames of America Middle TN Chapter". Daily Herald. Columbia, Tennessee. March 21, 2026. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
- ↑ "Southern Dames of America". Montgomery County News. Montgomery, Texas. January 6, 2016. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
- ↑ "Past Presidents Administrations 1963-2016". Southern Dames of America. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
- Southern Dames of America
- Culture of the Southern United States
- Heritage organizations in the United States
- History of the Southern United States
- History of women in the United States
- Lineage societies
- Nonpartisan organizations in the United States
- Ophthalmology organizations
- American organizations established in 1962
- Women's organizations based in the United States
