Native Daughters of the Golden West facts for kids
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| Founded | 1886 |
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| Founder | Lilly O. Reichling |
| Type | 501(c)(3) |
| Focus | California history and heritage |
| Location | |
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Grand President
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Nina Coffenberry |
| Website | Official website: http://www.ndgw.org/ |
The Native Daughters of the Golden West is a special group for women born in California. It's a non-profit organization, which means it doesn't aim to make money. Instead, its main goal is to protect and celebrate California's rich history.
This group is like a "sister" organization to the Native Sons of the Golden West. Both groups work hard to keep California's past alive for future generations.
Contents
History of the Native Daughters
How it Started at Pioneer Hall
| Pioneer Hall | |
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| Location | 113 Main St., Jackson, California, United States |
| Reference no. | 34 |
The Native Daughters of the Golden West began in a historic building called Pioneer Hall. This hall is in Jackson, California. The very first meeting happened on September 11, 1886. About 20 women gathered in the basement of the hall.
Lilly O. Reichling called this first meeting. Pioneer Hall is now a special California Historical Landmark. On September 25, 1886, the group officially formed. Lilly O. Reichling became the Secretary. Tina L. Kane was chosen as the first President. The women called their meeting places "Parlors." Their first group was named Ursula.
Ursula Parlor No. 1 and Early Days
On March 7, 1887, the first leaders of Ursula Parlor No. 1 were announced. This founding group had thirty-three members. Their first logo showed a fawn. Later, they changed it to include symbols of Minerva. These symbols were an oriflamme (a type of banner) and sheaves of wheat. The letters "P.D.F.A." were also added to the logo.
The group's main beliefs were: "Love of Home, Devotion to the Flag of our Country, Veneration of the Pioneers of California, and an Abiding Faith in the Existence of God." These important ideas are still followed today. Between March and June of 1887, seventeen more Parlors were started. In July, they held their first big meeting, called a Grand Parlor, in San Francisco, California.
The Group Today
The main San Francisco Parlor is located in a building. This building was designed by a famous architect named Julia Morgan. The Native Daughters continue their work across California.
Important Members
Many women have been important members of the Native Daughters. They have helped the organization grow and achieve its goals. Some notable members include:
- Laura J. Frakes
- Eliza D. Keith, who served as a grand president
- Edith Christensen Wilson
What the Native Daughters Do
The Native Daughters of the Golden West work on many projects. Their main goal is to keep California's heritage alive and strong. Here are some of the things they do:
- Restoring Missions: They help fix and preserve historic California Missions.
- Honoring Pioneers: They keep a list of California's early settlers, called the Roster of California Pioneers.
- Helping Students: They offer scholarships to help young people go to college.
- Protecting Nature: They support environmentalism and care for California's natural beauty.
- Supporting Kids: They work on projects related to child welfare.
- Marking History: They help create and maintain historic landmarks across the state.
See also
Images for kids
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Victory A. Derrick, 1922 Grand President of the Native Daughters of the Golden West
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Report of Historical Landmarks Committee of the Native Daughters of the Golden West, by Eliza D. Keith
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