The Women Veterans' Tea and How a Franklinite Helped Launch it

The upcoming Tea is a chance for women veterans to all get together for some coffee, tea, and delicious homemade goodies before the busy holiday season. The event will be held at the Franklin Senior Center. Women veterans from any town are welcome. Please RSVP via email to Veterans’ Agent Shannon Nisbett at snisbett@franklinma.gov
. The event is sponsored by the Mansfield Chapter of the DAR. And it turns out that is an additional dimension to the story.

DAR- Daughters of the American Revolution is a national organization, formed in1890, explains Franklin resident Catherine McCahill, Vice Regent of the Mansfield DAR Chapter.

“DAR has three levels - National, State, and local chapters. Franklin used to have a chapter but it was disbanded in the 1970s. A famous local member was Miss Lorraine Metcalf, who did so much for Franklin.

Lorraine Metcalf
Women who join DAR are a descendant of a patriot of the American Revolution. Each chapter has a registrar who helps each woman search for a patriot ancestor. We love to welcome new members.

“DAR is a women's service organization dedicated to promoting patriotism, preserving American history, and education.

“The Mansfield Chapter was established in 1929. Women from several towns make up its membership, including Franklin, Norfolk, Wrentham, and North Attleboro. We also have members from Montana, North Carolina, Florida, Iowa and Mexico. Some of our members are veterans.

“Each year we make lap robes for veterans at the veterans’ hospital in Brockton. We also send Christmas cards. We have worked with veteran’s agents in different towns, making sure patriots have markers at their graves. There are many patriots who served from Mansfield. We have been correcting town lists.

“Last year we reached out looking for female veterans. Franklin had a group of 10 female veterans and we made gift bags for Veterans’ Day. I offered to help to plan a tea for the female veterans. Shannon took me up on my idea and we started to plan the event. I hope to provide an opportunity for female veterans to have a chance to meet and for our members to thank them for their service,” explained McCahill.