Orinda hosted the 75th birthday party for the Acalanes chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and Mayor Latika Malkani (center), presented an official city proclamation to Regent Terry Lucido (left) and Past Regent Mary Carrillo (right).
The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) have a mission to remind Americans of their history, but the DAR also has a long history in Contra Costa County.
The Acalanes DAR was founded in 1950 by Eleanor Richards Lyon, and since that time, it has been dedicated to patriotism, service and community. Over the years, the local DAR chapter has sponsored annual Constitution Week celebrations, conservation efforts (such as preserving redwoods) and the presentation of Good Citizen awards at Acalanes, Miramonte and Campolindo high schools.
Orinda Mayor Latika Malkani presented the Acalanes DAR with a proclamation honoring its 75 years of achievements in historical preservation, promotion of education and patriotic endeavors. She also made a point of commending members for their commitment to community service during the Jan. 12 celebration in the Garden Room of the Orinda Library.
Special recognition was given to distinguished guests and longtime members, whose dedication has helped sustain the chapter’s mission. Adding a personal touch, past regent Alyce Traverso recounted stories from the chapter’s early days, recalling meetings in members’ homes and polished silver tea sets.
Attendees were also treated to a nostalgic display of vintage scrapbooks, photos and artifacts that showcased the chapter’s 75 years of service and community involvement.
Regent Terry Lucido closed the event by reaffirming the chapter’s commitment to service and preservation, and encouraged members to continue their contributions to the Orinda community.
The DAR is one of the largest patriotic women’s service organizations in the world, with 190,000 members in approximately 3,000 chapters across the United States and in several foreign countries.
Members promote historic preservation, education and patriotism through commemorative events, scholarships, citizenship programs, service to veterans and community initiatives. For more information about DAR and its mission, visit dar.org, or reach out to the Acalanes chapter at acalanesdar@gmail.com.
The organization also encourages families to explore their own genealogical ties to the Revolutionary War. More than 60% of Americans have ancestors who lived in America during that time.
Vanessa Crews can be reached at vcrews@mac.com.
