The Daughters of the British Empire (DBE) is a charitable, non-profit, non-political, non- sectarian, voluntary American society of women of British and Commonwealth birth or ancestry. Membership is extended by invitation to women residing in the U.S. who are of British and Commonwealth heritage by birth, naturalization, or ancestry. “Commonwealth heritage” includes current and former member countries in the former British Empire and current Commonwealth of Nations. Women, whose spouses are, or those spouse’s parent(s) or grandparent(s) are, of Commonwealth birth, are also eligible. Junior membership is available for eligible girls aged 13 to 17 years of age.
The society was founded in the United States on March 15, 1909, as the Imperial Order, Daughters of the Empire in the U.S.A., and became the National Society, Daughters of the British Empire in the U.S.A. on April 14, 1920. The National Society is incorporated in the State of Delaware.
For over 100 years, the DBE has been a common bond for women of British and Commonwealth of Nations heritage living in America. Members, joining together in fellowship, contribute significantly to the good of their local communities and support the retirement homes for men and women established by the DBE, as well as other 501(c)(3) charities.
The DBE in New Jersey supports The House of the Good Shepherd in Hackettstown, NJ, and St. Joseph’s Home for the Elderly in Woodbridge, NJ, as well as other charities such as Mary’s Place by the Sea, Toys for Tots, Sound Start Babies Foundation and local food banks.
State Officers:
President – Carol Handy
1st Vice President – Patricia Taggart, MBE
2nd Vice President – Margaret Smith
3rd Vice President – Ann DePietro
Treasurer – Sandra Bourne
Recording Secretary – Janena Benjamin
State Organizer – Joan Saunders
Communications – Mary Timmer
Historian – Ruth Fenn
Standard Bearer – Sally Tucker
Please contact Joan Saunders, NJ State Organizer, for any further information on NJ DBE chapters at njstateorganizer@gmail.com.
