From the Archives / Dames in Patriotic Service

Dames in Patriotic Service

From the Archives / by JUDY STOVER, District of Columbia Society

While the NSCDA is known for its great interest in colonial history, restoring historic houses as museums and teaching our past to present and future generations, Dames have also supported the armed forces in various ways. When America has needed help from its citizens, Dames stood tall and ready to serve.

The original NSCDA covenant includes the directive that there should be a “National Relief Association with power to form branches in every Corporate Society whose duties shall be to co-operate earnestly in all measures to provide necessaries and comforts for our army and navy in time of war, or for the sufferers in any great national disaster.”

The NSCDA has lived up to this duty during all wars that our nation has been involved in since the Dames’ founding in 1891: the Spanish-American War, World Wars I and II, Korean War, Vietnam War and the wars in the Middle East. Through donations and fundraising events, Dames raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to support the American Red Cross.

The Dames are not only fundraisers. Since 1898 Dames have aided the Navy by equipping operating rooms on various hospital ships, including the Solace during the Spanish-American War and the ships Mercy and Comfort during World War I. (Pictured.) In World War II the Dames gave recreational items to the USS Gunston Hall.

In addition to helping to equip hospital ships, the Dames created recreational centers for the USO in Ketchikan, Alaska. Over 100,000 men and women used this center during World War II alone. These centers, which the Dames have supported since World War II, are places of comfort, relief and rest for the difficult transition from the battlefield to civilian life.

Each Corporate Society has pitched in to support the troops. Whether Dames are rolling bandages, sewing uniforms, making blankets, Doctors aboard USS Mercy doing clerical work, driving or even donating cars, we have made a positive impact in supporting our military. The NSCDA archive contains a chart of the thousands of socks, sweaters, hats, mittens and scarves that each Corporate Society knitted to support the troops during World War I.

During World War II, Dumbarton House was turned over to the Red Cross for offices, classes and beds. Dames worked alongside the Red Cross volunteers and staff. During the Vietnam War, the Red Cross asked the Dames to make “ditty bags” for the wounded. They contained personal items like a toothbrush and paste, razor, a comb and even a couple of precious chocolate bars. Some Corporate Societies continue to make these ditty bags for service personnel today. As recently as 2012, the Red Cross used Dumbarton House for blood drives and various events. (See picture page 19.)

While President of the NSCDA during World War II, Mrs. Hutchinson proudly said at the end of one of her rousing letters: “THERE’S NOTHING LIKE A DAME!”