MESSAGE FROM THE MAGAZINE NATIONAL CHAIR
Kate Johanns, National Chair, DAR Magazine Committee
Paging Memories
Confession time: I avoided paging the first five years of my DAR membership because I was leery about finding that many white dresses.
My paging memories have been on my mind ever since I read Emily McMackin Dye’s incredible feature “The Women in White,” which chronicles the history of paging in the National Society. For those newer to DAR, paging is an opportunity for women ages 18–40 to assist at Continental Congress, state conferences, and other state and national events.
I joined DAR in July 2010, and while I had been a chapter officer and made some casual friendships, I hadn’t made the leap into paging, despite the urging of my chapter friend Jamie Burchfield. This changed in January 2016, when I decided to attend a Texas DAR Junior Retreat because it was happening in Austin. I could be a “day camper” at the event, so it was fairly low commitment—if I just wasn’t into it, I could beg off and head home.
But showing up that Friday night was one of the best decisions of my life. I walked in and was quickly greeted by friendly women who were crafting table decorations for our state conference. It was easy to pull up a chair and pitch in, both to the crafting and the conversation. I did amazingly well at the DAR-style “Minute to Win It” games; it turned out I could say “The American’s Creed” surprisingly fast from memory. I left that night happy and ready for the next day.
My first paging experience at the 2016 Texas DAR State Conference with Jennifer Haydon and Katie Marcum. Photo courtesy of Kate Johanns.
Processing in at the 2024 Continental Congress with Marion Startz. Photo courtesy of Kate Johanns.
On Saturday, we gathered in a conference room at the Texas State Capitol, where I was immediately engaged by the Texas Junior Membership Council’s welcoming attitude. The more, the merrier, whether you had been showing up for years or were a first-timer. I clicked with then-Texas State Page Chair Shannon Cranson, whose descriptions of paging made finding a plus-size white formal on short notice seem like less of a hassle. I spent the morning falling in love with DAR, donating to the Friends of Junior Membership Fund as I made friends through Junior membership. By the time I left our service project that afternoon, I was searching for those dresses online. I’ll try it once, I thought.
My first paging assignment was “Page to the Miss Lynn Doll”—as in, the National Junior Membership Doll, a past fundraiser being sponsored by Texas that year as Texas Daughter Lynn Forney Young was in her final year as President General. I was assigned to set up 18-inch dolls and dress them in 125 hand-sewn outfits made by Texas Daughters to honor the Dazzling Daughters. Experienced Page Katie Marcum quickly took me under her wing.
I left that conference early due to work—managing to leave my whites in my hotel room, but luckily Jamie rescued them—and I sent my name to the state regent the next week to volunteer to page at Continental Congress. I’ll do it once, I thought.
Long story short: I ended up paging at Continental Congress nine times, with the incredible “finale” of serving as a Personal Page to President General Pamela Edwards Rouse Wright, including on the DAR Roman Holiday tour. I am proud to say the Pages successfully ushered the executive officers through a busy Roman train station without encountering any pickpockets. I’ve learned to spot a cute white dress a mile away, which isn’t a talent I need anymore.
I often hear fellow Daughters lament they joined DAR too late to page. I understand that. I almost let the chance pass me by. But now that I’m “aged out,” I am volunteering for service on conference and Congress committees—essentially paging, just not in color. I encourage you to do the same. It’s incredible how fast friendships are formed when you are working together toward a shared goal, which is a lesson anyone in chapter, state, or national leadership can take.
Through paging, I became close to Jamie, Shannon, Katie, and others; I call them when I need to cry about or celebrate anything in my life, not just DAR. These friendships have led to others of similar quality and depth, all because I said “yes” to something I wasn’t sure about—wearing white. P
I'd love to hear from you!
Kate Johanns
National Chair, DAR Magazine Committee
or via the Daughters Online Community (DOC), DAR Magazine Committee
NOVEMBER/DECEMber 2026
