Last November, our chapter had the honor of hosting a joint meeting with other chapters in our area with out lovey State Regent as the speaker. State Regent Troxell spoke about Caroline Scott Harrison, the first President General of the DAR. The following information about Mrs. Harrison is from the DAR's information about
Dazzling Daughters.
Caroline Scott Harrison graduated from the Oxford Female Institute in Ohio in 1853 with a degree in music. Additionally her interests included painting and gardening. She was a cheerful, sociable person and enjoyed entertaining at home. She married Benjamin Harrison in 1853 and saw him elected to the White House in 1888. Some historians believe that Caroline Harrison is one of our most underrated first ladies as she not only established the famous White House china collection but also supported progressive causes fueled by her belief in the equality of women to men. In 1890 she refused to assist the new Johns Hopkins Medical School with their fundraising efforts until they agreed to admit women. The school acquiesced. Also in 1890 she became the DAR’s first President General and served in that capacity until her death.
State Regent Troxell also spoke about Mrs. Harrison's passion for orchids. Mrs. Harrison painted beautiful pictures of orchids and to this day, corsages worn by Daughters at Continental Congress include orchids.
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