DAR members learn about female USMC Generals

FALLBROOK - Local Daughters of the American Revolution, Monserate Chapter, attended The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) District XIV February meeting at Bernardo Heights Country Club. Monserate members who joined Regent Dawn Byrd-Beresovoy were Carol Anderson, Mary Lou Montes, Maurine Hahn, Anne Christy, Pat Hall, Pauline Ballantine, Betty Mathias, Mary Harrington, and Cindy Greer.

The guest speaker was Marianne S. Waldrop, Col. USMC (ret), Ph.D. who spoke about "The Eleven Women who became USMC Generals." In 1967, a law was passed which gave women the opportunity to become a general, and in 1978 the first female USMC general became a reality. Her name was Margaret Brewer. Another seven years passed before the second woman would become a general. Since Margaret Brewer's 1978 achievement, only 11 women have become USMC generals in the most male dominated, most combat oriented organization.

Dr. Waldrop wondered how the women succeeded in the male oriented society, and discovered after interviewing ten of the 11 women generals that there is "no recipe." What all of the women did have in common was 1) a love of the culture of the USMC institution, 2) an identity as a Marine – "I wasn't a woman in the Marine Corps, I was a Marine" and 3) they chose one tour at a time – short term career choices, rather than a long term plan.

Dr. Waldrop's father also was a colonel in the Marine Corps.

District Director Lillian Leslie spoke about different projects on which DAR chapters in San Diego and Imperial Counties are tackling. As the meeting was held during President's Week, she also gave a quick trivia moment: 16 United States Presidents were members of the Sons of the American Revolution national organization including Harry Truman, Dwight Eisenhower, Lyndon Johnson, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, George H.W. Bush, and George W. Bush.

The next monthly meeting of the Monserate Chapter DAR will take place on Thursday, March 22, and those interested in membership in the DAR are invited to attend. Contact the regent at [email protected] for more information. DAR is a lineage organization; members must prove direct familial lineage to an American colonist who fought in the Revolutionary War or who gave supplies and food to the troops of that war. Monserate Chapter supports the national commitments to education, patriotism, and historic preservation, and meets monthly at Pala Mesa Resort in Fallbrook.