DAR Disbands Texas Chapter Over Membership Dispute
The national organization removed the Martha Laird Chapter following conflicts over gender-based membership policies.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Women’s Issues
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On October 10, 2026, the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) disbanded the Texas-based Martha Laird Chapter. The move followed the chapter's attempt to restrict membership based on biological sex.
Why it matters
The DAR national leadership cited potential legal risks under District of Columbia anti-discrimination laws as a primary reason for rejecting attempts to codify sex-at-birth membership requirements.
The Daughters of the American Revolution, founded in 1890, currently maintains no sex-at-birth requirement for members. Donations to the newly formed Daughters Advocating for Restoration are being matched up to $20,000 through November 15, 2026.
The players
Daughters of the American Revolution
A lineage-based service organization headquartered in Washington, D.C., that focuses on historic preservation and education.
Martha Laird Chapter
A former Texas-based local branch of the DAR that was disbanded for its advocacy regarding membership policies.
Daughters Advocating for Restoration
An organization founded by members of the Martha Laird Chapter that promotes policies restricting membership to biological women.
The details
The national body disbanded the chapter because it used its official status to advance the campaign of an outside organization, the Daughters Advocating for Restoration. While the DAR requires members to provide genealogical proof of descent from a Patriot, its bylaws do not limit membership by biological sex.
Timeline
October 11, 1890: The DAR is founded.
October 10, 2026: The DAR officially disbands the Martha Laird Chapter.
October 28, 2026: The President General issues an email clarifying membership requirements to members.
November 15, 2026: The donation matching program for the advocacy organization concludes.
Culture Shift
This conflict reflects the broader tension between traditionalist lineage organizations and contemporary legal frameworks regarding gender identity. The DAR decision marks a significant institutional alignment with District of Columbia anti-discrimination laws over local member activism.
Members of lineage-based organizations may see increased scrutiny regarding chapter alignment with national bylaws and legal standards. Those interested in the resulting advocacy campaign must navigate new registration procedures if they choose to support independent genealogical groups.
The takeaway
Organizations must balance the desires of local chapters with the legal obligations of the national entity. Maintaining internal unity requires clear adherence to established bylaws, especially when facing conflicting interpretations of civil rights law.
What happens next
The matching gift program for the Daughters Advocating for Restoration is scheduled to conclude on November 15, 2026.
Further reading
Learn more about the evolving landscape of Women’s Issues across the country.
More information
To contribute to the cause, visit the Daughters Advocating for Restoration donation portal.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Alabama Gazette.
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Should historical member-based organizations restrict membership to biological women to maintain their founding principles?
