Programs & Projects
The South Carolina Society and each of its Town Committees seek to encourage national pride in our citizens primarily through the field of education, stimulating a spirit of true patriotism and a knowledge of American heritage. The NSCDA-SC has provided support to our military personnel and their families since 1898 when the Dames aided US troops in Charleston on their way to Cuba during the Spanish-American War. The Society also participates in historical projects, which include research, preservation, publications, and monuments.
Welcoming new American citizens at naturalization ceremonies throughout the state and presenting each one with a copy of the Bill of Rights.
Sponsoring the Congressional Seminar Essay Contest, which exposes high school winners to democracy in action and a week-long education seminar in Washington, D.C.
(Essay Contest details are under “Education” )Participating in “Carolina Day,” the annual community commemoration of the Battle of Sullivan’s Island on June 28, 1776, which is considered by many scholars to be the first significant patriot victory of the American Revolution.
Displaying our flag collection, which has copies of all the flags that have flown over U.S. territories, each with a specific history, and making them available for educational purposes.
Participating in the Veterans History Project by interviewing and recording personal accounts of American veterans so that future generations may hear directly from our veterans and better understand the realities of war thus fostering a greater appreciation of their sacrifice.
Patriotic Service
Celebrate a special day:
Flag Day, June 14th
Fly a flag, wear red, white and blue, go to a parade, have a party!
But, wait. What is Flag Day and why should we celebrate?
A bit of history…
June 14 commemorates the adoption of the first official flag of the new nation on June 14, 1777, by resolution of the Second Continental Congress. The “Betsy Ross Flag” had “13 stripes, alternate red and white; thirteen stars, white on a blue field, representing a new constellation”. In 1893, Elizabeth Duane Gillespie, descendant of
Benjamin Franklin and President of the Colonial Dames of Pennsylvania, advocated a resolution requiring the American flag to be displayed at all Philadelphia public schools.
In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson released a proclamation designating June 14 as Flag Day. In 1949, an Act of Congress under President Harry S. Truman established National Flag Day. On July 4, 1960, the current American flag, the Stars and Stripes, was adopted as our official flag, following Hawaii's entry into the United States as the 50th state.
So, on June 14, celebrate that our flag does still wave, over the land of the free and the home of the brave!
The Birth of Old Glory from Painting by Percy Moran(1862–1935)
Image Credit: Percy Moran
Service to our Military
Partnering with Operation Gratitude and Operation Paperback, which has resulted in more than 4,000 letters of thanks by 4th-graders and several hundred paperback books being sent to servicemen and women.
Establishing a Military/Veteran Scholarship and supporting “Veterans on Deck” and other programs which aid our military personnel.
UpstateWarriorSolution.org “Together, we are stronger” This mantra led to Upstate Warrior Solutions becoming a “community quarterback.” They lead a coordinated effort to serve and connect warriors and their families to resources they greatly need. SC Dames support this endeavor.
Operation Valentine Valentines for Vets! How simple was this project? LTC Perry Gwinn was surprised and touched by your cards! After receiving your sweet Valentines, LTC Gwinn simply couldn’t refuse to give us an interview of his WWII days, for the Dames Archives and the Library of Congress. The valentine pictured below is from new Pee Dee Dame, Perry Tison Wilson. Also, you were part of the over 70,000 Valentines sent to Major Bill White. Wow & thanks all!
Historical Projects
Liberty Day at the Statehouse
Two hundred fifty 4th graders from schools across South Carolina converge on the State House in Columbia, SC and are transported to colonial times. They are colonists in the midst of determining their future as an independent country. There are speakers who represent life in SC during this time, re-enactors of our founding fathers and debates between Loyalists and Patriots.
Liberty Day at the Statehouse
Two hundred fifty 4th graders from schools across South Carolina converge on the State House in Columbia, SC and are transported to colonial times. They are colonists in the midst of determining their future as an independent country. There are speakers who represent life in SC during this time, re-enactors of our founding fathers and debates between Loyalists and Patriots.
Erecting historical markers and monuments to honor people and events that contributed to our freedom.
Producing an oral history video, in association with Charleston Country Schools, giving a view of World War II as experienced by a child in the South Carolina Low Country.
Updating and adding ancestor information for the NSCDA Ancestor Bibliography Register
NATIONAL PROGRAMS
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Heroes Among Us: Over 550 veterans have shared their stories of courage and service with Dames! NSCDA asks Corporate Societies across the nation to participate in this program with their Town Committee members.
They have trusted us with their history, through the Veterans History Project (VHP), in partnership with the Library of Congress.
Invite Veterans to share their stories, which are integral to preserving America’s history and our Mission.
The Library provides the information, training, forms and procedures so that the veterans ’ interviews, photos and manuscripts can be archived.
Many veterans ’ groups are eager to be involved. Reach out to veterans through these organizations as well as military events, your church, family, and friends.
Community Partners are also invaluable as they can provide the facility, the veterans and volunteers to make your events successful, while also increasing VHP awareness and participation.
Any questions?
Contact Vice Chair Marilyn Case mscase@cox.net 405.570.2536 -
Help us give Veterans a chance at life with pride and self-reliance.
$6,000 will Sponsor a Puppy ~ then you choose the name, gender and color!
We are 43 Societies Strong ~ to make a huge impact, we need all 43 Societies to participate.
Any questions?
Contact Vice Chair Terri Watters
tph213@comcast.net 706-346-4413 -
About 800,000 people from all over the world choose to become new citizens of the USA, each year. It’ s a serious commitment to study, learn English and take the test. Recently, Gunston Hall hosted a ceremony for 49 people from 28 countries, who became U.S. citizens.
These public event ceremonies take place in courthouses and community sites throughout the year, around America.
It is wonderful and heartwarming to help welcome our newest citizens. Have the Dames in your Corporate Society or Town Committee attended a Naturalization Ceremony? We hope members of all Societies will attend at least one Naturalization Ceremony in their location, to help celebrate our newest American citizens.
Join us, as lots of Societies and TCs already support these Ceremonies in many different ways.
Examples: Flags, Flag Pins, Refreshments, a miniature Parade of Flags Exhibit and one even provides a Local Band!Children's Oath Ceremonies
When adults become Naturalized Citizens, their minor children, not born in the USA, are naturalized automatically. There are no scheduled ceremonies for minor children. Some Dames enjoy helping with a children’ s ceremony and also give the children a certificate of their own.
It would be meaningful and fun for children to celebrate with a ceremony at your historic property. The DC and Texas Societies have held Children’s Oath Ceremonies at historic homes.
Each Corporate Society works with the local USCIS* Field Office to schedule a Children’s Ceremony.
*U.S. Citizenship and Immigration ServiceFor any questions and to receive ceremony locations near you, contact Vice Chair, Amélie Cagle awcagle@gmail.com
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Archiving Dames’ Stories
Oral History preserves stories, memories and voice, creating a richer picture of the facts.
We encourage Dames to implement this medium to fulfill our mission in preservation and education.
Since our Golden Jubilee, 1941, Corporate Societies have named outstanding Dames to the Roll of Honor. Awarded to dedicated, dynamic and impactful members of their Societies, these women demonstrate what it means to be a leader in our organization.Primary Goals
to educate and enable Corporate Society membership
to easily collect their member’ s oral histories to preserve Dames ’ stories of significant and sustained contributions to the NSCDAOur Results
Video Interviews with transcripts that provide understanding and context of the period each honoree served Archived Roll of Honor Interviews at Dumbarton House, Washington, D.C. NSCDA Headquarters Dames educating Dames – something that appeals to many of us.Any questions?
Contact Vice Chair Meg Beasley
megdb2@gmail.com 931-636-2482 -
Scholarly Lectures Gratis, for all members!
2025-2026 Season Spotlight: GREAT AMERICAN TREASURES
Join with members to hear from the experts, five times this season, as they deep dive into our 250th “gift to America ” , our newest coffee table book, Great American Treasures!
There are so many ways to register for the Food for Thought lectures:
Go to the NSCDA Mission Outreach webpage
Look on the Calendar located on the NSCDA websitePresentations by the experts, our book’ s authors, will all be via Zoom on Thursdays, 6:00pm EST.
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Intergenerational and fun projects!
Gather Dames, Children and GrandsNaturalization Ceremonies are public events that take place in courthouses and community sites from sea to shining sea, all year long! Attend a ceremony to welcome and to experience the new citizens’ American pride!
Dames sponsored ceremonies are listed on our member calendar.
Vice Chair Amélie Cagle can give you the list of ceremonies scheduled in your area: awcagle@gmail.com -
Sister Societies may want to replicate your good works!
Oklahoma ’ s “Colonial Day at the Capitol” was the impetus for South Carolina Society ’ s “Liberty Day at the State House ” launch, with the SC 250th Commission!
Thanks to a Humanities Grant, our Missouri Society will greatly enhance their annual celebration of the Battle of St. Louis and François Vallé, fils.
The Pennsylvania Society has created “For the Common Good” , a film project featuring women that shaped our nation. Enjoy the online Launch: March, 2026 Watch for the Kids ’ “How To ” craft, too: Silhouette Portraits!
The Georgetown, SC Town Committee, has created multiple “ copy ” opportunities: Lafayette ’ s tour started here Colonial Kids Camp (curriculum available) Foxes on Front (Street) First Colonial Tea Party, here in Georgetown, SC!
To measure our collective impact, send your Society ’ s 250th celebratory Event and Activity Titles, to be included in the NSCDA archives.
Find events near you >Vice Chair Dora Rogers doralrogers@gmail.com
The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America is dedicated to inspiring patriotism and a knowledge of the American heritage in all citizens through a variety of citizenship, flag, and education programs nationwide. In addition to funding the reconstruction of the Jamestown Church in Virginia, the NSCDA has sponsored such monuments as the granite canopy protecting Plymouth Rock. The first memorial donated by a women’s organization in Arlington National Cemetery is the Spanish-American War Monument erected by the NSCDA in 1900, which honored fallen US soldiers in their own time.
National projects include the Ancestor Bibliography Register, Ancestor Biographies, and the Sampler Survey. The organization is also committed to the Library of Congress Veterans History Project as it collects, preserves, and makes accessible the personal accounts of American veterans so that future generations may hear directly from veterans and better understand the realities of military service.