The Story Behind the Pin
From bold symbols to meaningful details, every State Regent’s pin has a story — and a purpose. We celebrate the creativity and causes behind each unique creation. Call us pin-spired!
Illinois: Educate, Celebrate, America 250!
Illinois
Marria Blinn, State Regent
Inspiration
Inspired by the Liberty Bell of the West, the state regent’s pin reflects her administration theme, Educate, Celebrate, America 250! Few people realize Illinois played a role in the American Revolution. Gifted to the Immaculate Conception Church of Kaskaskia by King Louis XV more than 11 years before Philadelphia received its Liberty Bell, the Liberty Bell of the West rang on July 4, 1778, as George Rogers Clark and the citizens of Kaskaskia celebrated liberation from British rule. The bell symbolizes freedom, patriotism, and educating future generations about America’s history.
Purpose
Proceeds from the pin support construction of the Liberty Education Plaza at the Flag Day Monument in Batavia, Illinois. The plaza is Illinois DAR’s America 250! legacy project dedicated to educating future generations about American history, patriotism, and the evolution of the United States Flag.
Maine: Embracing Our Legacy, Connecting with Purpose, Serving with Heart
MAINE
Janice Teasenfitz, State Regent
Inspiration
The pin is a replica of one discovered among the belongings of the state regent’s grandmother. Worn during her first experience serving as a Page at a Maine DAR State Meeting, it became a meaningful tribute to her grandmother and a reminder of the values, friendships, and service that unite DAR members. The three-tailed bow design symbolizes legacy, connection, and service, reflecting the administration’s theme and the power of shared stories to create connections.
Purpose
The state regent’s pin supports state projects, advancing the three focus areas of the administration:
- Embracing Our Legacy through the Maine DAR Marker Rediscovery Passport Program, a member-driven initiative to visit, document, and survey DAR historic markers throughout the state.
- Connecting with Purpose by enhancing Maine DAR websites, supporting leadership and membership education, and expanding opportunities for member development and engagement.
- Serving with Heart by supporting the Boulder Crest Warrior PATHH and Struggle Well programs at the Travis Mills Foundation in Mt. Vernon, Maine, helping veterans and first responders build resilience and find healing through post-traumatic growth.
Michigan: For the Love of DAR
MICHIGAN
Dawn Brady, State Regent
Inspiration
The apple blossom — Michigan’s state flower — was a natural inspiration for my regent’s pin, symbolizing both my state’s proud identity and the deep family roots that connect us all through DAR. My own journey began when my Aunt Jane planted the seed by inviting me into the Society; since then, my daughter Moria, my son’s partner Mary, my late sister Heather’s time as chapter regent, and the joy of signing my mother’s application are all roots and branches that have flourished from that single invitation. Although the apple blossom appears delicate, it is essential: It’s the stage that determines whether the tree will bear fruit. This mirrors my theme, For the Love of DAR. Just as the blossom precedes the harvest, love, care, and service must come first — before the fruits of DAR’s work in historic preservation, education, and patriotism can flourish. The apple blossom embodies the promise that, when we open our hearts, meaningful change follows.
Purpose
Proceeds from the pin support restoring and conserving Michigan’s first Constitution of 1835, a foundational act of historic preservation. In education, funds help chapters reimburse one member (other than the registrar) to complete the GEP I & II courses and also contributed to renovating the Michigan Center on the Kate Duncan Smith DAR School campus. For patriotism, the pin’s support includes an annual gold sponsorship of the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA) Women Veterans Conference during the Brady term and helping Our Heroes Next Door by partnering with the Michigan National Guard’s Family Readiness Group.
Minnesota: Guided by Our North Star
MINNESOTA
Valerie Stachour, State Regent
Inspiration
My state regent’s project, Guided by Our North Star, focuses on suicide prevention and mental health support. The motto of the state of Minnesota is L'Étoile du Nord — the star of the north — so it seemed fitting to choose a representation of the North Star to symbolize both my state and my project. The North Star has been used for centuries as a fixed point in the heavens that helps people to find their way. Within the star, the golden swirls represent the paths that we walk in life — all of us have twists and turns that we must deal with. But what we hope to achieve is represented by the gems: the green gems representing health and the blue gems representing peace.
Purpose
Funds raised by sales of the pin will provide short-term grants covering groceries, utility bills, or mortgage payments for military and first responder families who have been impacted by suicide. P
Marria Blinn, Illinois State Regent
Janice Teasenfitz, Maine State Regent
Dawn Brady, Michigan State Regent
Valerie Stachour, Minnesota State Regent
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SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026
