Remembering Lena Santos Ferguson
Mrs. Ferguson was admitted to the Daughters of the American Revolution as an at-large member in 1983. When she had originally attempted to join the organization through a DAR chapter in Washington, D.C., in 1980, the chapter did not advance her application after her request to join. This event drew national media attention and sparked an important dialogue with Mrs. Ferguson that changed the face of DAR.
Mrs. Ferguson and the DAR reached an agreement in 1984 and she joined the Margaret Whetten Chapter. The agreement included DAR revising its National Bylaws to bar discrimination by any of its chapters on the basis of race, creed, or color. DAR continues to strive to be a more diverse and inclusive organization and supports its members of color whose initial participation in all aspects of the National Society were advanced by Mrs. Ferguson’s strength and commitment. Because of Mrs. Ferguson, the DAR became a more welcoming membership organization for all women.
The 1984 agreement also required DAR to establish two scholarships for students of color in the District of Columbia. Mrs. Ferguson served as the National Vice Chair for the awards for two decades until her death. In 2016, management of the scholarship transitioned to the nursing program at the University of the District of Columbia, with support logistics and communications from DAR. In 2023, DAR renamed its Washington, D.C., nursing scholarships as the “Daughters of the American Revolution – Lena Ferguson Scholarship,” in honor of Mrs. Ferguson and her contributions that changed DAR for the better. DAR also doubled the funds given to two nursing students at the University of the District of Columbia, raising the awards to $5,000 each annually.
www.dar.org/national-society/lena-santos-ferguson
Mrs. Ferguson and the DAR reached an agreement in 1984 and she joined the Margaret Whetten Chapter. The agreement included DAR revising its National Bylaws to bar discrimination by any of its chapters on the basis of race, creed, or color. DAR continues to strive to be a more diverse and inclusive organization and supports its members of color whose initial participation in all aspects of the National Society were advanced by Mrs. Ferguson’s strength and commitment. Because of Mrs. Ferguson, the DAR became a more welcoming membership organization for all women.
The 1984 agreement also required DAR to establish two scholarships for students of color in the District of Columbia. Mrs. Ferguson served as the National Vice Chair for the awards for two decades until her death. In 2016, management of the scholarship transitioned to the nursing program at the University of the District of Columbia, with support logistics and communications from DAR. In 2023, DAR renamed its Washington, D.C., nursing scholarships as the “Daughters of the American Revolution – Lena Ferguson Scholarship,” in honor of Mrs. Ferguson and her contributions that changed DAR for the better. DAR also doubled the funds given to two nursing students at the University of the District of Columbia, raising the awards to $5,000 each annually.
www.dar.org/national-society/lena-santos-ferguson
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