WASHINGTON, D.C. — Several local women were among the more than 4,000 members of the Daughters of the American Revolution who gathered this past week in the nation’s capital for their 131st Continental Congress, the service organization’s annual meeting.

The week-long convention, which was projected to draw the largest attendance in the organization’s history, consisted of business sessions, committee meetings and social functions, in addition to formal evening ceremonies that honored national award winners and featured outstanding keynote speakers. This year’s convention was the first in-person gathering in three years, after the 2020 and 2021 editions were conducted virtually due to the pandemic.

Among local participants were:

• Regent — Trena DeFranco, of Ava;
• Past Regent — Suzanne Bellinger, of Vernon;
• District V Director and Past Regent — Mary Cardinale, of Whitesboro;
• First Vice Regent — Leslie Raney, of Clinton; and
• Librarian — Erika Schell, of Newport.

All of the local women are members of the Oneida Chapter of Utica. DeFranco, Bellinger, Cardinale, and Raney served as delegates.

Wednesday’s Opening Night Ceremony speakers included U.S. Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro, who was honored with the DAR Americanism Medal; and philanthropist/business leader David Rubenstein, who was presented the DAR Medal of Honor.

While at congress Oneida Chapter members attended the New York state luncheon, Heritage Club breakfast and luncheon, New York open house, Sunshine Sundaes with C.A.R., Congress Reception, DAR Leadership Training (Members Training Courses,) Registrar General forum, first time page orientation and tour, National Defense Night, memorial service, tribute to the DAR founders wreath laying ceremony, business sessions and installation.

Members served in Wright Team Campaign Sales and on the All-American DAR Chorus.

Schell served as a Page in the DAR store. Members of the Oneida Chapter also contributed to the Next Act Campaign to renovate Constitution Hall.