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The Daughters of the American Revolution and the Marian Anderson Incident

The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) journey from racial discrimination, exemplified by the Marian Anderson incident, to embracing diversity is a significant narrative in American civil rights history. The DAR's policy changes and recognition of diverse patriots, including the election of Wilhelmena Rhodes Kelly, reflect a broader societal shift towards inclusivity.

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1

DAR's racial discrimination policy adoption year

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1932, DAR barred African American artists from Constitution Hall.

2

Eleanor Roosevelt's reaction to DAR's exclusion of Marian Anderson

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Resigned from DAR, protesting their racial discrimination.

3

DAR's stance on integrated audiences in the early 20th century

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Opposed, leading to exclusion of African American performers.

4

The denial by the DAR to let ______ sing at Constitution Hall sparked widespread disapproval and was likened to the ______ racial policies.

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Marian Anderson Nazi Germany

5

Over 75,000 spectators and millions on ______ witnessed ______'s stirring rendition of 'America (My Country, 'Tis of Thee)' at the Lincoln Memorial.

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radio Marian Anderson

6

______'s performance at the Lincoln Memorial became a symbol in the ______ movement and underscored the issue of racial inequality in America.

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Marian Anderson civil rights

7

DAR Constitution Hall desegregation year

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1952 - DAR allowed artists of all races to perform.

8

DAR Colorado incident 1957

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Mexican American child excluded from Lincoln birthday event.

9

DAR bylaws amendment for racial discrimination

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Post-1984 - Bylaws changed to prohibit racial discrimination.

10

In 2007, the DAR posthumously acknowledged ______, once owned by Thomas Jefferson, as a "Patriot of the Revolution".

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Mary Hemings Bell

11

______ became the first African American on the DAR National Board of Management in 2019.

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Wilhelmena Rhodes Kelly

12

As a result of her recognition by the DAR, female descendants of ______ are eligible to join the organization.

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Mary Hemings Bell

13

______ served as the New York State Regent after being elected to the DAR National Board of Management.

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Wilhelmena Rhodes Kelly

14

Initial stance of DAR on race

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Originally exclusionary, reflecting early societal norms against people of color.

15

Marian Anderson's exclusion significance

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Her denial by DAR and subsequent Lincoln Memorial concert symbolize civil rights struggles and victories.

16

DAR's current acknowledgment of diversity

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Now celebrates contributions from a diverse range of patriots, indicating progress in inclusivity.

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The Daughters of the American Revolution and the Marian Anderson Incident

The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), an organization for women who are descendants of individuals involved in the United States' independence, faced criticism for racial discrimination in the early 20th century. In 1932, the DAR adopted a policy that prohibited African American artists from performing at their Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C., due to some members' objections to integrated audiences. The policy's impact was highlighted in 1939 when the DAR denied the acclaimed African American singer Marian Anderson the opportunity to perform at the venue. This decision prompted First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt to resign from the DAR, citing her disapproval of their exclusionary practices and emphasizing the organization's failure to lead progressively.
Majestic concert hall with stage, red velvet curtains, shiny black grand piano and African American singer in elegant dress.

Public Outcry and the Historic Lincoln Memorial Concert

The DAR's refusal to allow Marian Anderson to perform at Constitution Hall led to a public outcry and significant media criticism, with comparisons drawn between the DAR's actions and the racial policies of Nazi Germany. In response, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, along with Walter White of the NAACP and Anderson's manager Sol Hurok, arranged for an alternative performance at the Lincoln Memorial. On April 9, 1939, Anderson performed to an audience of over 75,000 people, with millions more listening via radio. Her powerful performance, particularly of "America (My Country, 'Tis of Thee)," became an iconic moment in the struggle for civil rights and highlighted the issue of racial discrimination in the United States.

DAR's Policy Change and Ongoing Challenges with Racism

The DAR officially reversed its discriminatory policy in 1952, allowing artists of all races to perform at Constitution Hall. Despite this policy change, the organization continued to face allegations of racism. In 1957, a DAR chapter in Colorado excluded a Mexican American child from a Lincoln birthday celebration. In 1984, Lena Lorraine Santos Ferguson, who met the lineage requirements, was initially denied membership in a Washington, D.C. chapter because she was Black. Public backlash and threats of losing tax exemptions led the DAR to amend its bylaws to explicitly prohibit racial discrimination and to recognize the contributions of Black patriots during the American Revolution.

Embracing Diversity and Honoring All Patriots

In recent decades, the DAR has undertaken initiatives to recognize the diverse range of patriots who contributed to the American Revolution. This includes the publication of "Forgotten Patriots: African-American and American Indian Patriots in the Revolutionary War" in 2008, which documents the roles played by these individuals. Additionally, the DAR posthumously recognized Mary Hemings Bell, an enslaved woman owned by Thomas Jefferson, as a "Patriot of the Revolution" in 2007, thus allowing her female descendants to join the DAR. In a historic move, Wilhelmena Rhodes Kelly was elected in 2019 as the first African American to the DAR National Board of Management, serving as the New York State Regent.

Reflecting on the DAR's Journey from Exclusion to Inclusion

The DAR's history of racial discrimination and its subsequent efforts toward inclusivity mirror the broader American experience with civil rights. The organization's initial exclusionary stance and its eventual recognition of the contributions of people of color to the nation's founding reflect a slow but significant shift in societal attitudes. The story of Marian Anderson's exclusion and the subsequent Lincoln Memorial concert remains a powerful example of overcoming adversity and challenging injustice. The DAR's progression from a past of exclusion to a present that acknowledges a diverse array of patriots illustrates the ongoing effort to reconcile with historical injustices and strive for a more inclusive future.