The United Daughters of the Confederacy®
The General Organization of the United Daughters of the Confederacy®, also known as the UDC, is the outgrowth of memorial, monument, home associations and auxiliaries to Camps of Confederate Veterans which were organized following the War Between the States. The UDC is the oldest patriotic organization in America and dates back as early as 1890. The National Association (now referred to as the General Organization) was organized in 1894.
Membership Eligibility
Those eligible for active membership are women no less than sixteen (16) years of age who are blood descendants, (either lineal or collateral), of men or women who served honorably in the Army, Navy, or Civil Service of the Confederate States of America (CSA) or those who gave material aid to the Cause. Proof of ancestor's honorable service and relation must accompany the official membership application along with the appropriate fees. The estimated current membership of The Texas Division if over 2,800 with 84 chapters remaining active throughout the Lone Star State. Membership is open to eligible ladies regardless of race, color, creed, religion or ethnic origin.
For more information on joining, contact Shirley Woodlock.
Objectives
UDC objectives are:
HISTORICAL
EDUCATIONAL
BENEVOLENT
MEMORIAL
PATRIOTIC
1. Honor the memory of those who served and those who fell in the service of the
Confederate States of America.
2. Protect, preserve and mark the places made historic by Confederate valor.
3. Collect and preserve the material for a truthful history of the War Between the States.
4. Record the part taken by Southern Women in patient endurance of hardship and patriotic
devotion.
5. Fulfill the sacred duty of benevolence toward the survivors and to those
dependent upon them.
6. Assist the descendants of worthy Confederates in securing proper education
and finally,
7. Cherish the ties and friendship among the members of the Organization.
Historical and Educational
Members of the United Daughters of the Confederacy strive to preserve the History of the War Between the States by writing poems, essays, books, conserving artifacts and historic sites and funding educational programs and scholarships. The daughters also own or manage, numerous museums, historical collections and libraries, which are open to the public for research and viewing.
The UDC sponsors numerous scholarships which are given to descendants of Confederate Veterans. These scholarships are offered on the General, Division, District and many times, even the chapter level. For more information contact a chapter near you or visit the Texas Division website. (See main page )
The UDC also give awards and medals for essays, historical articles and books written or researched by adults and school age children. These awards include cash, ribbons, plaques, certificates, Jefferson Davis Historical Gold and Silver Medals and numerous other types of awards and recognitions.
Mary West Chapter 26 encourages men, women and children to study and learn more about the War Between the States and the true history of why and how it came to happen.
Benevolent and Patriotic Activities
The United Daughters of the Confederacy remains the only lineal organization in America to fund a program designed to care for needy women. The Mrs. Norman V. Randolph Relief Fund was established in 1910 and remains our greatest nationwide benevolent effort. It is now, fully funded made possible by private donations. The funds supplement the income of needy Confederate Real Daughters (daughters of Confederate Veterans). This fund is only one of many benevolent activities sponsored by the UDC. Recent projects include "Phone Cards" and other cards for servicemen, can goods for needy families, personal items for veterans, Goodwill, Salvation Army, Breast Cancer Research and others, too numerous to mention.
The UDC is proud of its patriotic activities which are geared to Veterans of all wars. Many chapters sponsor needy veterans with gifts, clothing, cards and money;, both in the states and on foreigh soil.
Children of the Confederacy
The UDC also sponsors a children's organization for lineal or collateral descendants of Confederate Veterans with membership open to children from birth through age eighteen (18). The Texas Division Children of the Confederacy (CofC) is one of the largest Divisions and maintains a leadership role in the General Organization. The CofC honors the same objectives as the UDC and the two, work hand-in-hand to achieve their goals. These chapter are auxiliary chapters to the UDC and are under its leadership and guidance.
The Texas Division, UDC
The Texas Division of the United Daughters of the Confederacy was organized in 1896 and remains one of the largest and strongest Divisions in the General Organization. It consists of seven (7) Districts which are geographically divided. Mary West Chapter 26 is located in District VII.
Chapters in each District team up to serve their region which allows for a broader level of activities and combined large scale projects. Each District plays host to an annual District workshop/meeting where chapters in that district merge to plan their annual projects and officers learn the latest duties and updates of their office. Districts are active in projects such as scholarships, monuments, parades, cemetery preservation, museums, memorials, heritage, benevolent activities and much more.
Note* United Daughters of the Confederacy is a registered trademark.
(General Information)
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