Daughters of the British Empire

Daughters of the British Empire
AbbreviationDBE
FormationMarch 15, 1909
FounderSarah Josephine Meredith Langstaff
Founded atNew York, New York, U.S.
TypeNonprofit
Legal statusCharity
Region served
United States
President
Lynda Krupp
Honorary President
Claire, Lady Turner
Websitedbenational.org
Formerly called
Imperial Order, Daughters of the Empire in the U.S.A.

National Society Daughters of the British Empire in the U.S.A. (DBE), formerly known as the Imperial Order, Daughters of the Empire in the U.S.A., is a lineage-based service organization for British women expatriates living in the United States and American women who are of British or Commonwealth descent.

History

The organization, originally called the Imperial Order, Daughters of the Empire in the U.S.A., was founded in New York in 1909 by Sarah Josephine Meredith Langstaff.[1][2] She was inspired by a Canadian organization, the Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire, to establish a society for women of British and Commonwealth heritage throughout the United States focused on volunteerism, cultural preservation, and community involvement.[2][3] Langstaff established the first DBE chapter in New York on March 15, 1909.[2] A chapter was established in Ohio in 1914.[4] In 1920, the National Society Daughters of the British Empire in the USA was formally established, at which point state societies began to form under the national organization.[2] The society was formally incorporated in Delaware.[5]

Functions

The DBE supports local and national charities, including food pantries, retirement homes, educational programs, medical organizations, and honor flights for veterans.[4][5]

The society is led by a president, and the incumbent British Ambassador to the United States, if a woman, or their spouse, serves as the society's honorary president.[5]

Notable members

See also

References

  1. ↑ "DR. J. E. LANGSTAFF, PHYSICIAN 5O YEARS; Inventor of Operating-Room Equipment Is Dead -- Started Brooklyn Practice in '84". The New York Times. New York, New York. January 17, 1948. Retrieved August 21, 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "History". Daughters of the British Empire. Retrieved August 21, 2026.
  3. ↑ Brass, Louise (September 1, 2013). "Daughters of British Empire celebrating anniversary". Daily Herald. Arlington Heights, Illinois. Retrieved August 21, 2026.
  4. 1 2 Trusty, Sheri (September 29, 2019). "Meet Your Neighbor: Daughters of the British Empire remind members of home". Fremont-News Messenger. Fremont, Ohio. Retrieved August 21, 2026.
  5. 1 2 3 "Who We Are". Daughters of the British Empire. Retrieved August 21, 2026.
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