Joshua Stevens Chapter, NSDAR

What is Labor Day?

Labor Day celebrates Americans who labor. It is a day to appreciate the economic and societal impact of hardworking Americans and to reflect on the progress our country has made as a result of the American workforce. Labor Day is celebrated on the first Monday of September every year. It has been a national holiday since June 28, 1894.

Happy Labor Day!

In St. Cloud, 500 women became voters after the city charter was changed in September 1918. Florida was not among the 35 states that had ratified the 19th Amendment in 1920.
These ladies pass the W.B. Makinson Hardware Store during a patriotic parade. They had plenty of reason to march with pride, as women in St. Cloud won the right to vote in city elections two years before women's suffrage became a nationwide right.
*As pictured in "Images of America St. Cloud" by Jim Robinson and Robert A. Fisk*

WOMEN'S EQUALITY DAY, AUGUST 26 celebrates the 19th Amendment guaranteeing women the right to vote, is formally adopted into the United States Constitution by proclamation by Secretary of State Bainbridge Colby.

"The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of s*x" and "Congress shall have the power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation."

Seminole Chapter Commemorative Events Chair

Joshua Stevens Chapter Librarian and Chapter Regent Kim Tennison attended a wonderful William P. Duval Chapter, NSDAR Commemorative Tea celebrating Lafayette’s 200th Anniversary of his Return to America. 🇫🇷🇺🇸❤️. Chapter Regent Kim Tennison is a proud associate member of William P. Duval Chapter in Winter Park, FL. Daughters were invited to wear Regency era costumes for the occasion. Also, attending Chapter Regents were given a ‘Flat Lafayette’ to travel to another chapter.

Gold Star Children's Day. Honoring all the children young and old who have lost a parent to war.

extends our heartfelt wishes and unwavering support to Team USA at the !

These extraordinary athletes have dedicated themselves to years of hard work, sacrifice, and determination to reach this stage. As they compete on the world stage, they will inspire millions of Americans and generations to come.

Go ! 🇺🇸

Daughters of the American Revolution was founded in 1890 with the simple mission of promoting historic preservation, education and patriotism. These timeless, overarching principles keep the DAR strong and vitally relevant in this ever-changing world. Join us! Go to DAR.org to find out more.

Until July 31, when you sponsor a $17 veteran's wreath through Joshua Stevens Chapter, NSDAR, we receive $5 back to support our own mission! Visit WreathsAcrossAmerica.org and search for http://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/FL0764P for our Joshua Stevens Chapter, NSDAR to get credit for donations.

Two hundred years ago TODAY, Lafayette boarded the American ship Cadmus, in Havre-de-Grâce, France for his Farewell Tour of America.

Thirty-two days later, the Cadmus anchored off the coast of New Jersey as Lafayette gazed upon the shores of the United States for the first time in forty years.

Scheduled to stay just a few months, Lafayette visited all 24 states and stayed for over one year. 6,000 miles. 400 days. A tour in the grandest style.

Fasten your seat belts folks as we start our Lafayette Bicentennial in thirty-two days.

Commemorate - Celebrate - Educate

Vive Lafayette !

From our NSDAR President General: “On this glorious day, we celebrate all that it means to be an American and the very foundation of our National Society. As you enjoy today’s celebrations, please share the stories of your Patriot ancestors and encourage your family and friends to research their own ancestors, whether Patriots or not. Doing so will make life that much richer, I promise. Happy Fourth of July from the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution!”

Joshua Stevens Chapter, NSDAR enjoyed celebrating America 250 by attending the SAR Summer America 250 Family Event. We enjoyed fellowship with other Central Florida Daughters, SAR and C.A.R. area members at the Vietnam War Museum in Orlando. We also toured the Vietnam War museum and their collection of the era’s vehicles. There was also a recreation of a bunker from that era. Vice Regent Ginny Dawson Brown’s husband/HODAR Howie Brown was an Air Force Vietnam veteran and Regent Kim Tennison’s brother George Zierdt was a Marine in Vietnam, serving two tours of duty. A very meaningful visit indeed.

Happy Juneteenth Freedom Day from Joshua Stevens Chapter, NSDAR!

THANK YOU to all the fearless women who have bravely served and continue to uphold their service in the US Armed Forces. Their unwavering commitment and dedication in the , with roles in the , , , , , and , can't be overstated. On this Women Veterans Recognition Day, let's honor their significant contributions.

Lisa Heard, our Joshua Stevens Chapter DAR Service for Veterans Chair, represented us as she volunteered outside at the Orlando VA - Lake Nona Baby Shower for women veterans in the Maternity Care Coordination program. I know the women veterans and the VA appreciated all you did!❤️🇺🇸❤️

We are thrilled we got some good publicity from our recent VA Baby Shower delivery.

Joshua Stevens DAR Chapter delivers baby gifts to VA Center On May 23, representatives from Joshua Stevens Chapter National Society Daughters of the American Revolution delivered four diaper bags filled with diapers, wipes, clothing, bibs, handma

Today I met the most amazing man on our Joshua Stevens Chapter DAR field trip — Clifton P. Lewis, founding President of the Neighborhood Improvement Corporation of Bartow, Inc. (NIC). in addition to helping to improve conditions in the community, the NIC also owns and operates the Historic L.B. Brown House Museum of which Mr. Lewis is Curator in Bartow, FL. Mr. Lewis is as amazing as L.B. Brown, and it was an honor to make his acquaintance. Mr. Lewis is also the recipient of the National DAR Medal of Honor.

The Museum was built in 1892 by Lawrence B. Brown who was born into slavery in 1856. Mr Brown was not formally educated. However, in spite of those otherwise debilitating conditions, Lawrence Brown became one of the region's most successful entrepreneurs. The State of Florida awarded L.B. Brown a posthumous award — Great Floridians of 2000 for his lifetime accomplishments despite his difficult beginnings in life.

From June 1-July 31, when you sponsor a $17 veteran's wreath through Joshua Stevens Chapter, NSDAR, we receive $5 back to support our own mission! Visit WreathsAcrossAmerica.org and search for http://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/FL0764P for our Joshua Stevens Chapter, NSDAR to get credit for donations.

Check-out the Wreaths Across America Page that I Support! Wreaths Across America ("WAA") coordinates wreath-laying ceremonies every December to "Remember, Honor, and Teach" about the sacrifices made by our veterans and their families. Please check out this page to learn how you can help by sponsoring Veterans Remembrance Wreaths or by joining us on Decembe...

Joshua Stevens Chapter, NSDAR was one of many local groups who remembered and honored those who have sacrificed everything for our freedom at today’s Memorial Day Wreath Laying Ceremony at Mount Peace Cemetery in St. Cloud, FL.

Today Joshua Stevens Chapter, NSDAR delivered four diaper bags filled to the brim with diapers, wipes, clothing, bibs, burp pads, toys and more to the Orlando VA Medical Center at Lake Nona. Donations represented an over $400 value! The VA CDCE Specialist, Benjamin "Benji" Lopez was happy to accept delivery of the donations for The Women's Clinic Baby Shower coming up in June. Mr. Lopez told us these are much needed donations for their veterans who are new moms.

Delivering the donations were Chapter Regent Kim Tennison, Chapter Vice Regent Ginny Brown, Chapter America 250 Chair Nona Osha. HODAR Michael Osha (not pictured) was in charge of transportation and photography. Joshua Stevens Chapter has been collecting items off the chapter’s Amazon Wish List since January, and it was exciting for our chapter to see this project come to completion.

Thank you to all of you who are wearing the uniform and serving in the military! We appreciate you.

Joshua Stevens Chapter was pleased to welcome FSSDAR Madam State Regent Cindy Staifer Addison to their May chapter meeting, who spoke about all the numerous, wonderful things Florida Daughters do for others in their communities. She encouraged current Daughters and cast vision for service possibilities for new/prospective members. It was an inspiring message!

During the meeting, Chapter Vice Regent Ginny Dawson Brown and Chapter America 250 Chair Nona Osha unveiled the beautiful America 250 quilt made by Ginny Brown. The quilt serves as a chapter fundraiser all summer with sales of voices now and during Fall Forum this year. The drawing will be held on Saturday, October 19 at Veterans’ Library in St. Cloud, FL.

It was also a special meeting because attending were three past Joshua Stevens Chapter Regents, Laura Miller (celebrating her 20th DAR anniversary this year), Lori Swaby and Tracy Suarez. Current Chapter Regent Kim Tennison and Chapter Vice Regent Ginny Brown also joined the historical photo.

Madam State Regent Cindy Addison did us the honor of swearing in new Daughter, Amy Van Riper.

Chapter Chaplain/Past Regent Lori Swaby celebrated her birthday with us when we had the restaurant present her with a dessert and attendees sang Happy Birthday to her. So much fun!

At the end of the meeting, we packed four diaper bags generously stuffed to the brim with diapers, wipes, bibs, handmade burp cloths (by Ginny Brown), clothing, toys and more to be delivered by Joshua Stevens Daughters to Orlando VA Medical Center in Lake Nona on May 17. These diaper bags will be gifted to veteran new moms as they leave the hospital. Huzzah to our generous Joshua Stevens Daughters!

Yesterday Chapter Regent Kim Tennison had the privilege of bringing greetings to the reorganizing meeting of the Phoebe Cunningham Society C.A.R. in Kissimmee, FL. The Senior Reorganizing President is Hannah Emmett-Dennis and she has great support with the Adams-Onis Treaty Chapter, NSDAR and our Joshua Stevens Chapter, NSDAR. It was well attended and a great event! Among the many in attendance was F.S.C.A.R. State President Caleb Golden, Senior State President JoAnn Welker, State Organizing Secretary Sarah VanNederynen, State Corresponding Secretary Colin Matthews, State Curator Phelan VanNederynen, Senior Society President Battle of Thomas Creek Society Kris VanNederynen, Senior Society President Sugar Mill Society Melissa Pena, and so many others. We were also very honored to have special guest FSSDAR State Regent Cindy Addison in attendance who brought greetings to the group.

Military spouses, there are many challenges you face as you support your spouse who is serving in the military, whether it’s dealing with the high military spouse unemployment rate, being the primary caretaker of children, navigating periods of long distance, or living far away from extended family. Thank you for your flexibility and sacrifice as you handle all the challenges your family encounters with strength and grace. We appreciate you!

2024 National Prayer

Jesus, we profess our faith in You. You are the Light of the world, and in You there is no darkness. For You are our lamp, O LORD, and our God who lights our darkness. Forgive us for
fearing and focusing on the darkness around us instead of being filled with faith and shining like the city on a hill You have called us to be.

Forgive us for the times when we have been the absence of light, allowing darkness to dwell in
America. Lead us forward to dispel the darkness and bring light throughout the Church, Family,
Education, Business, Military, Government, and
Arts, Entertainment, and Media.

We are saved by grace through faith, released from the darkness that once held us captive and now free to walk in the newness of life in You.

Light dispels darkness and exposes what is hidden and wicked, so we commit to rise and shine! For by You, Lord, we can take courage to
run against the enemy, and by our God we can fight the good fight and keep the faith as living lampstands in our communities and country.

We fear no evil for You are with us.

Lord, Your way is perfect, You lead us on paths of righteousness for Your name's sake. Your Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. Your Word is Truth, instructing and
inspiring us to live in the abundant life You gave when You saved us from the death and destruction of the enemy. Fill us with Truth as we read, study, and live Your Word.

God, You are a shield for all those who take refuge in You. As we abide in You and Your Word abides in us, we take up our shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God and run boldly into the darkness to Lift Up the Word and Light Up the World!

In the Mighty name of Jesus we pray, amen!

Written by NDP Task Force President, Kathy Branzell