On October 5, 2019, the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) will surpass ONE MILLION total members who have joined the organization since its founding in 1890. The DAR is a women’s service organization whose members can trace their lineage to an individual who contributed to securing American independence during the Revolutionary War.
The Grand Prairie DAR Chapter, based in Stuttgart, Arkansas, has welcomed many members since the Chapter began in 1966. Grand Prairie Chapter is excited to join the National Society in celebrating this milestone by spotlighting members of the chapter through the years.
Throughout Grand Prairie Chapter’s history, its membership has included many remarkable women from the local community.
Dorothy Jones Core of Stuttgart joined Grand Prairie Chapter in 1966. She was THE history/genealogist in Arkansas County for many years. She researched the settlement at Arkansas Post and wrote many articles that were published in the Grand Prairie Historical Society Bulletin. She traveled extensively doing historical research and wrote several books. Her research collection was placed in the University of Arkansas Library in Fayetteville.
Mary Dumond Oliver of Stuttgart joined Grand Prairie Chapter in 1970. She also was known for her research in Arkansas County. Mary served as Vice Regent of the chapter, and she was the aunt of several current Grand Prairie Chapter members.
Jo Clair Knoll English of Clarendon joined the Grand Prairie Chapter in 1978 when she was a young wife and mother. She became THE historian/genealogist of Monroe County. She wrote several books and published many historical articles. Much of her research is housed in the Welcome Center in Clarendon.
Margaret Lucile Dixon Brown of Clarendon joined Grand Prairie Chapter in 1982. She was a longtime educator in the Clarendon/Holly Grove School System.
Dr. Allison Denman Holland of Stuttgart/Little Rock joined the Grand Prairie Chapter in 1975 as a Junior Member and is currently serving as Chapter Regent. Dr. Holland recently retired and is Faculty Emeritus, Department of Rhetoric and Writing, at the University of Arkansas-Little Rock. She states that attending monthly meetings as a way to honor her ancestor and to visit with cousins, Lynne Siems and Karen Carnahan, and her Aunt Mary Oliver.
Judi Tarter Jones of DeValls Bluff has been an active member since 2013 and currently serves as Recording Secretary for Grand Prairie Chapter. She also served as Corresponding Secretary for Little Rock-Centennial Chapter.
Wanda Freeman Ridge of Helena joined DAR in 1990. She served as Chapter Registrar for many years and helped numerous members connect with their revolutionary ancestors. She will celebrate 30 years as a DAR member in 2020. She and Carrie Nipps Davison, a 25-year DAR member from Marvell, are both active in the Tri-County Genealogical Society.
Grand Prairie Chapter member Ashli Ahrens currently serves as the Wabaseka District as Director. The District includes chapters from Stuttgart, DeWitt, Pine Bluff, Fordyce, Warren, Monticello, and Camden. Ashli, her mother Claudia Ahrens, and her sister Lesli Ahrens Lincoln, all joined Grand Prairie Chapter DAR as Junior Members.
Grand Prairie Chapter’s newest member is Vicki Shepherd of Brinkley. Vicki became a member on September 5, 2019. She states she wanted to join DAR to honor her Revolutionary War ancestor and to find ways to give back to the community.
These are just some of the one million women who have joined DAR since 1890. Each DAR member has a unique story, but all share a passion for historic preservation, education and patriotism and dedication to her local community.
The Grand Prairie Chapter DAR focuses much of its efforts on projects that support veterans and active duty military members. The members fill shoeboxes with personal supplies, donate magazines, puzzles, and clothing to take to the Veterans Hospital. Donations are given to Restoration of Hope Shelter in Stuttgart. The chapter celebrates young students by presenting DAR Good Citizen Awards/Scholarships to 3 area high school seniors. Grand Prairie Chapter DAR supports area school projects as well as after school and summer reading and library programs.
Grand Prairie Chapter DAR encourages women interested in DAR membership to contact www.dar.org.
For more information about Grand Prairie Chapter DAR please contact Nonnie Carroll, Grand Prairie Chapter Registrar, [email protected]
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— and at the same time ask for a favor.
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In case you have a minute, you can find it by searching for
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Keep up the good work– and take care of yourself during the coronavirus scare!
~Justin