Daughters of the American Revolution axes chapter that challenged transgender membership

The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) voted Saturday to disband its Martha Laird Chapter in Texas that fought to bar from joining the historic organization, citing violations of its national bylaws.

In a letter to chapter members, DAR Organizing Secretary General Marguerite Hogan Fritsch announced that the National Board of Management had approved the chapter's dissolution by a two-thirds majority vote.

"On October 10, 2026, at the meeting of the National Board of Management of the National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution a resolution passed by two-thirds majority vote to disband the Martha Laird Chapter, NSDAR," Fritsch said in the letter. "The actions of the chapter have been found in violation of Article XIX, Section 4 of the Bylaws of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution," the letter continued.

The letter did not identify the specific conduct that constituted a violation or state whether the chapter's opposition to transgender membership contributed to the decision. 

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The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution confirmed to that the organization had voted to disband the local Texas chapter but denied it was due to its views on membership.
 
 "The National Board of Management voted on October 10 to disband the Martha Laird Chapter in Texas after finding that chapter officers had used the chapters name, leadership positions, communications, and governance processes to further the goals of a separate advocacy organization," the group told Fox News Digital. "The Board determined that it was this use of chapter authority and resources – not the views being advocated – that constituted conduct discrediting the National Society under Article XIX, Section 4 of the National Bylaws."

 "The Boards decision was not based on the chapters or its members views concerning membership eligibility, their efforts to propose changes to the National Bylaws, or their right to advocate for changes in National Society governance," the statement continued.

The group noted that at their June 2026 meeting, national members had rejected a resolution to add further membership restrictions. Individual members of the Texas chapter retain their DAR membership and are free to advocate for changes to the National Bylaws through the Societys established governance processes, the organization said.

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The chapter previously challenged DAR leadership's position on transgender membership, with member Laura McDonald telling Fox News Digital last year that the organization was contradicting its founding mission by recognizing transgender women as eligible members.

"But, then they go on to say that a man who claims he's a woman is a woman, and therefore he's eligible for membership. But if you are a man that doesn't claim to be a woman, you're not eligible for membership," McDonald said.

Conservative California Sonja Shaw told Fox News Digital that women and girls are being told that spaces created to protect their privacy, dignity, and opportunities "no longer belong to them," including sports, restrooms, locker rooms, and now, according to her, the Daughters of the American Revolution.

"The women of the Martha Laird Chapter in Texas stood the