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The Daughters of the British Empire
What is the DBE?
The Daughters of
the British Empire (DBE) is a charitable, non-profit,
non-political, non-sectarian, voluntary American society for
women of British or Commonwealth birth or ancestry who are
citizens or residents of the USA.
The Society was founded in the USA in the year 1909 as the
Imperial Order, Daughters of the Empire in the USA, and became
the National Society, Daughters of the British Empire in the
USA, in 1920. The DBE is affiliated with the Imperial Order,
Daughters of the Empire in Canada (I.O.D.E.), the Victoria
League in England, and the General Federation of Women's Clubs
in the United States.
The Honorary President of the DBE is the wife of the British
Ambassador to the United States, or the Ambassador himself.
What are its Purposes?
The primary objective of the DBE is the support of the four
District Homes for retired men and women who are residents
and/or citizens of the U.S. These homes are located in each of
the four regions of the DBE in the U.S.
The secondary objectives are local philanthropy, friendship,
and the promotion of closer relationships among
English-speaking peoples.
How is it Organized?
The Society has Chapters in each organized State. At present
there are approximately 234 chapters, which meet on a monthly
basis. Each State is administered by a Board of Officers
elected from the membership. California, due to the large
population, is divided into three "mini" States.
The States are organized into four Districts: the East,
Midwest, West and South. The governing body of the
organization is the National Board. The Board is elected every
three years and rotates through the four geographical
districts. The officers are President, 1st, 2nd, 3rd Vice
Presidents, Recording and Corresponding Secretaries, Treasurer
and Organizer. The
present National
Board is the Society's 31st Administration and is located in
the Eastern District with HQ in New York, NY.
Eligibility
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Membership, by
invitation, is extended to women residing in the US who
are
- Of British or British Commonwealth
birth
- Naturalized British or British
Commonwealth subjects
- Women with proven British or British
Commonwealth ancestry
- Women whose spouse is of
British/Commonwealth heritage
- Junior memberships is also extended
to young ladies between 13-17 years who are of
British/Commonwealth ancestry.
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DBE in the USA