06/28/2026
From an anonymous member that sent this to the Daughters Advocating Restoration page. ❤️🤍💙
"When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to challenge and expose the political workings which have been imposed by the powers of an organization, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the restoration of the organization.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all people are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among people, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, -- This organization was founded and formatted after this same pattern and with the same intentions. That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.--Such has been the patient sufferance of this organization; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present Daughters of the American Revolution state and national leadership is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over this organization. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.
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They have made themselves a spectical of perceived royalty, with elections being focused on a resume rather than stating how they intend on serving the people and purpose of the organization.
They have changed bylaws without the consent or knowledge of the people.
They have attempted to centralized membership to a national level, giving individual states and chapters major restrictions on their voice in organizational membership.
They have attempted to pass multiple amendments that would make member driven change nearly impossible. Leaving their ability to bring change to the organization entirely intact and overbearing.
They have discouraged inter-chapter communication and discouraged active participation towards change when desired.
They have not responded to a lawful petition for a special meeting, according to Robert's Rules of Order.
They have rejected petitions for transparency on business meetings.
They have restricted legal advice and supporting documents to sources that they hire and control.
They have threatened and intimidated individual members and chapters in an attempt to gain compliance.
They have kept an assembly for inhumane amounts of time without food, water, or other biological necessities, while making them chose between basic human needs and maintaining their voice in the assembly. Including those who have disabilities or health problems. All while they are brought food, water, and allowed other breaks when needed without the same consequences.
They have openly stated their priority for financial gain over maintaining the integrity of the organization and dedication to the intentions of the founding mothers who created it.
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In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. Organizational leadership, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, insist on major reform in the leadership of the organization, to return to the original intentions of the Daughters of the American Revolution founding mothers, and to maintain their powers only through the consent of the governed.
We, therefore, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of this organization, solemnly publish and declare, That this organization is, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent from the type of tyranny our patriot ancestors sacrificed their lives and fortunes to escape. This bold declaration serves the purpose of bringing our grievences to the attention of the general public, as bringing them to the leadership of the organization has proven as effective as when the Founding Fathers brought their grievences to the British Crown. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor."
