Day 2 of 110: What’s Your Contribution to American Heritage

(Originally Published Wednesday, January 15, 2014 – Blogger: One Daughter’s Point of View)

DAR actively seeks to promote American Heritage, especially in the arts. This year’s theme for the American Heritage contests in which Daughters can participate is “Honoring our Heritage: Art Through the Ages.” I completed my entry and dropped it in the mail today – hand-stitched curtains for the Other Fiber Arts Category. While I was sewing, I couldn’t help but reflect on the ideas presented in the theme of this year’s American Heritage contest.

It’s actually a very interesting theme in that many things that we consider art today were founded in necessity. Due to necessity, the arts of sewing, quilting, weaving and others were often passed from mother to daughter. These were skill sets deemed necessary and important to daily living and were therefore passed along to young girls at an early age, allowing them to help contribute to the needs of the household.

But, as I stitched those curtains, I wondered, how many women today are skilled at sewing for example? Once an absolute skill set to fulfill a role women had in society, sewing isn’t viewed as a necessary skill set for young women today. How many women even can complete a running stitch, back-stitch or even a French knot? With iron-on tape, we don’t even need a sewing needle to hem our pants anymore – or do you just by higher heels to avoid the dilemma all together?!? (Don’t get me wrong – I’m all for a nice pair of high heel shoes – preferably in red!)

DAR has a proud tradition of promoting American Heritage that is wide and varied from a one-act play and poetry to sculpture, quilting and jewelry making. Each year winners from around the country have their art displayed at the national headquarters to highlight both the outstanding work and to continue to advocate for these art forms – many serving pivotal needs in our rich American culture and history. I don’t know that my curtains will make the cut this year – so many of our ladies are very talented. I’m so glad they elect to share their talents with others. What’s your talent? Have you share it with anyone lately? If you don’t, how will your contribution to American Heritage be preserved?

This year our chapter celebrates our 110th anniversary. Our chapter has had at least 2 members participate in the American Heritage Contest in recent years. One was a national 1st place winner in painting; one was a national 2nd place winner in photography. Perhaps we’ll celebrate our 110th anniversary year with more national winners!