OFFICE OF DEVELOPMENT
The President General's Project
Our Legacy in Bloom
Answering the Call to Serve
Dr. Anita Newcomb McGee
The theme of the President General’s Project, Our Legacy in Bloom, calls on all Daughters to honor the good women who came before us and to carry their light proudly into our nation’s 250th anniversary — and beyond.
Dr. Anita Newcomb McGee stands as a powerful example of a Daughter who answered that call during a critical moment in our nation’s history.
Born in Washington in 1864, Dr. McGee studied in Europe before earning her medical degree from Columbian University (later George Washington University). She continued advanced study at Johns Hopkins University. An organizing member of DAR, she also served as its first Librarian General, helping shape our National Society’s early intellectual foundation.
During the Spanish-American War in 1898, Dr. McGee recognized the urgent need for trained nurses and worked with Surgeon General George M. Sternberg to mobilize the Daughters of the American Revolution.
As director of the DAR Hospital Corps, she led a nationwide effort to recruit and screen nurses, insisting that only professionally trained candidates be accepted. More than 5,000 applications were reviewed, resulting in 1,081 certified nurses — the only organized and approved source of Army nurses at the time.
Appointed Acting Assistant Surgeon General of the United States, she was placed in charge of Army nurses and became the only woman appointed to officer rank during the war. Following the conflict, she played a central role in establishing the Army Nurse Corps, securing a permanent place for women in military service.
Dr. McGee’s legacy lives on today. In 2025, the Army Nurse Corps celebrated its 125th anniversary and DAR was proud to support this milestone event.
"The Spanish War nurses are veterans in every sense of the word … They fought the enemy of disease, which was the real enemy in the Spanish-American War, and they took the medicine of death and illness, just as the soldiers did.”
– Dr. Anita Newcomb McGee
Our Sustaining Supporters play a special role in helping DAR thrive. Through monthly giving, Sustainers provide steady, reliable support that allows DAR to meet critical needs and plan confidently for the future.
As the nation celebrates America 250!, we invite all Sustainers to take a small but meaningful step in support of this critical program by increasing their monthly gift by $2.50.
While this increase may seem modest, it adds up. If every Sustaining Supporter participates, this simple act would generate an additional $25,000 each month — $300,000 annually — to strengthen DAR’s mission. If you are not yet a Sustainer, you can begin giving for as little as $5 per month.
To each of our Sustaining Supporters, thank you. Your generosity already makes you a Pillar of Patriotism. With this small increase, you can help ensure DAR’s legacy continues to stand strong for generations to come. Want to make the change now? Click here to log in to your Sustaining Supporter profile and manage your donation.
WHERE YOU DIRECT YOUR SUSTAINER DONATIONS IS UP TO YOU!
You can support the General Fund, which sustains the everyday work of our National Society. You may also help advance the President General’s Project, including the restoration and digitization of our treasured DAR Library. Additionally, you can help preserve our historic home through the Guardian Trust or select from among DAR’s 30-plus funds that support other important causes.
The General Fund Helps Keep DAR’s Legacy Blooming—Literally
The grounds of DAR’s National Headquarters offer a striking fusion of history and natural beauty—gardens in bloom, historic trees, and thoughtfully maintained spaces that welcome visitors from around the world.
As President General Ginnie Sebastian Storage reminds us, Illuminate Our Legacy calls us not only to preserve the past but also to care for the places, stories, and traditions that connect us to it. That care is visible across our grounds, where every tree, garden, and pathway reflects ongoing stewardship. Much of this work is made possible through the DAR General Fund, which supports the maintenance and care of these historic landscapes.
But its impact does not stop at the garden gates. The General Fund also fuels the essential work inside our buildings — supporting the DAR Library, DAR Museum, preservation of our headquarters, and the systems that keep our National Society running.
Inside and out, the General Fund ensures that DAR’s legacy continues to thrive. Learn more about supporting this critical fund today.
Make-a-Will Month
Secure Your Patriotic Legacy
As we move through summer, still inspired by the historic celebrations of our nation’s Semiquincentennial, August brings a timely opportunity for reflection and action.
August is National Make-a-Will Month, a dedicated time to ensure that your intentions for the future are clearly defined and legally protected.
For many people, an estate plan is more than just a legal document; it is a powerful tool to protect your loved ones and extend your commitment to the values we hold dear. By formalizing your plans, you ensure your assets are distributed according to your wishes, providing peace of mind for your family and lasting support for the causes you champion.
This summer, we encourage you to consider how your patriotic legacy might continue to support the National Society’s mission of promoting historic preservation, education, and patriotism. Whether through a simple bequest or a gift from your will or trust, your foresight helps secure DAR’s future and preserves our shared heritage for the next 250 years.
If you have already included DAR in your estate plans, please contact the Office of Development so we may thank you and share the benefits of recognition in the Founders Club. Learn more about the Founders Club by visiting this webpage. Together, we can ensure that your legacy remains a vibrant force for generations to come.
Donor Impact Spotlight
DAR Rises to a “Monumental Moment” with $2 Million Gift to the Nation
Thank you.
Catherine Townsend, president and CEO of the Trust for the National Mall
A centerpiece of the President General’s Project, Our Legacy in Bloom, is DAR’s gift of $2 million to the Trust for the National Mall’s Cherry Tree Endowment.
DAR member Catherine Townsend, president and CEO of the Trust for the National Mall, recently expressed her gratitude for DAR’s gift and noted its importance during the nation’s America250 celebration.
“As the Legacy Leader supporter of the Trust’s Cherry Tree Endowment, the Daughters of the American Revolution are safeguarding and protecting the cherry blossoms and making a meaningful tribute to honor America’s 250th on the National Mall.
“The cherry blossoms are an enduring symbol that represents friendship and diplomacy for people around the world. As a DAR member myself, I am proud to share that we deeply value our friendship and partnership with the DAR and our shared patriotic mission to honor our nation’s history, especially during this monumental moment in history.” P
JULY/AUGUST 2026
