The national society cites misuse of chapter authority for an outside advocacy group, not the chapter’s views; the letter and statement reported by Fox did not describe specific incidents
The Daughters of the American Revolution has disbanded a Texas chapter that sought to limit membership to biological women. The national society says chapter officers misused the chapter’s authority to advance an outside advocacy group, and that their views were not the reason.
DAR’s National Board of Management voted by a two-thirds majority on October 10 to disband the Martha Laird Chapter of Mount Pleasant. The vote was announced in a letter from Organizing Secretary General Marguerite Hogan Fritsch, reported by Fox News Digital. The letter cited Article XIX, Section 4 of the national bylaws. That section allows the board to reprimand, suspend or disband a chapter that violates society rules or discredits the organization.
In a statement to Fox, DAR said officers had used the chapter’s name, leadership positions, communications and governance processes to further the goals of a separate advocacy organization. The board said that conduct, “not the views being advocated,” was the violation. DAR did not name the group. The letter and statement reported by Fox did not describe specific incidents underlying the board’s finding.
Laura McDonald, the chapter’s treasurer, founded Daughters Advocating for Restoration, which campaigns to restrict DAR membership to women born female. WORLD reported that McDonald said in a social media post that leadership gave no basis for the decision.
One Undefined Word
The dispute centers on one undefined word. DAR’s bylaws extend eligibility to any woman 18 or older who descends from a Revolutionary patriot, but they do not define “woman.” DAR has said women with legally amended birth certificates may join if they meet the genealogical requirements. The society was founded in 1890 after the Sons of the American Revolution declined to admit women.
Opponents of transgender eligibility pursued amendments, an interpretive resolution and requests for a special meeting. In September 2024, the Martha Laird Chapter and 11 other chapters proposed a bylaw amendment defining eligibility by biological sex. The board rejected it in February 2025. The Center for American Liberty advised the chapter. It disputed leadership’s contention that excluding transgender applicants could jeopardize DAR’s tax-exempt status.
In June, delegates rejected an interpretive resolution that would have defined “woman” in the bylaws as someone born female, consistent with what its supporters described as the society’s original intent. The reported vote was 1,481 to 984. McDonald accepted the count but said leadership tilted the process. Her group had also sought a separate special meeting for October 11. On August 6, President General Ginnie Sebastian Storage declined that request, the Federalist reported, writing that the delegates had already decided the question. The board’s dissolution vote came the day before the date the group had sought.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Sept. 2024 | Martha Laird Chapter and 11 other chapters propose a bylaw amendment defining eligibility by biological sex |
| Feb. 2025 | National Board of Management rejects the amendment |
| June 26, 2026 | Continental Congress delegates reject the interpretive resolution, 1,481 to 984 |
| July 15, 2026 | H.R. 9701 introduced; referred to House Judiciary Committee |
| July 28, 2026 | S. 5152 introduced; referred to Senate Judiciary Committee |
| Aug. 6, 2026 | President General declines requests for a special meeting |
| Oct. 10, 2026 | Board votes to disband the Martha Laird Chapter |
| Oct. 11, 2026 | Date supporters had sought for a special meeting |
| Nov. 9, 2026 | Deadline to secure acceptance into another chapter, per Fox’s account of the notice |
Congress and the Chapter’s Members
Republicans in Congress have also acted. Rep. Ben Cline of Virginia introduced H.R. 9701 on July 15. Sen. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee introduced S. 5152 on July 28. Both bills would amend DAR’s federal charter to limit membership to women, defining a woman as an adult human female by reference to reproductive biology. Each was referred to its chamber’s Judiciary Committee.
The chapter’s members keep their national membership. According to Fox’s account of the notice, they move to member-at-large status and have until November 9 to secure acceptance into another chapter. The notice also directs that dues paid to the chapter be refunded.
Featured photo: Douglas Cioffi / Unsplash. Timeline: Midpoint News.