Maryland DAR names first black officer

The Maryland State Society Daughters of the American Revolution elected its first black officer on Tuesday, the predominantly white organization announced.

Reisha Raney, a distant relative of Thomas Jefferson's aunt, is the first black officer in the DAR's Maryland branch and one of only four black people to ever be named a state officer in the organization, according to Raney and Bren Landon, DAR public relations director.

"It was an emotional day. I feel like I’ve worked so hard with the organization," Raney said. "Also, to honor my ancestors who fought for this country was very rewarding."

Raney, a systems engineer and mathematician, first served as head, or "regent," of her local chapter in Fort Washington, Md. She raised participation rates in her chapter from 13 percent in 2012 to 70 percent in 2016 in her four years as regent.

The DAR is a historical and charitable organization in which members must be a descendant of an American soldier who fought in the Revolutionary War. Raney is a descendant of William Turpin, who was the son of Mary Jefferson, President Thomas Jefferson's aunt. The couple had a grandson who married a slave.

The DAR's history with race 

Today, membership in the DAR is open to people of all races and religions, but the organization has struggled to overcome its past with racism. In 1939, the DAR refused to allow Marian Anderson, a black opera singer, to perform at DAR Constitution Hall. Former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt famously resigned from the organization in protest of the decision.

In 1984, Lena Lorraine Santos Ferguson gained national coverage after being denied admission to a Washington, D.C. chapter of the DAR because she was black, though the organization denied the charges and she was ultimately admitted, according to the Washington Post.

Raney is also a research fellow at Harvard University working under Henry Louis Gates Jr.. She said the DAR struggles to move past its racist reputation, despite having for over two decades to identify veterans of color from the Revolutionary War.

Raney is doing research on the DAR's history with race, investigating the stories of women of color in the organization as well as white members who have ancestors of color who fought in the Revolutionary War.

"I think it’s important for me to collect these narratives to educate the public and society in general about how different the Daughters of the American Revolution is today compared to what they have been known for in the past," Raney said. "It seems like they can’t shake that reputation no matter how many changes that that make and how many amends they make."

A more diverse future 

Karen Batchelor joined the organization in 1977 as its first black member. She said she is proud that the DAR is embracing diversity among its ranks, especially through Raney's election.

"It's a great thing and shows the progress of this organization over the years," Batchelor said. "I think change takes time, but for me to hear about a black daughter becoming a state officer is great."

Batchelor also said she hopes Raney's leadership position will inspire other women of color to investigate whether they could qualify to join the DAR.

"Years ago, we didn't know there were many descendants of patriots who are diverse," Batchelor said. "Now that we know there are, we can commit to having a more diverse membership, reaching out where we can and encouraging people to explore their genealogy."

Raney is the 44-year-old president of Encyde Corporation and a graduate of Spelman College and the Georgia Institute of Technology. She said her hope is that her research and her new position in the DAR will help the organization continue embracing diversity.

"That’s an important story to tell that America can learn from, that there is an opportunity for change and for growth and to move forward," Raney said.

As the state's organizing secretary, Raney is responsible for the engagement of the 46 DAR chapters in Maryland, creating new chapters, revitalizing chapters with low membership, and disbanding defunct chapters, though Raney said the latter will not be happening on her watch.

WJAX