Allene Wilson Groves

Allene Wilson Groves (May 24, 1896 – August 27, 1986) was an American civic leader who served as the 23rd president general of the Daughters of the American Revolution from 1956 to 1959.

Early life and education Groves was born Allene Wilson on May 24, 1896, in Cape Girardeau, Missouri to Judge Robert Love Wilson and Jane Allen Wilson. Her mother was an organizing member and later the regent of the Nancy Hunter Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

In 1955, she ran as DAR first vice president general on the ticket of president general-hopeful Gertrude Gilpin Richards. She was elected, defeating two opponents, in a run-off ballet n April 21, 1956, during the national society's 65th Continental Congress. She was installed as president general on April 22, 1956.

In 1958, Ilse Naujoks, an 18-year-old student from Marlborough, Massachusetts was selected by her school for the Daughters of the American Revolution's Good Citizenship Award but was denied the award by the organization because, a daughter of German refugees, she had never been naturalized. When questioned, Groves explained the ban on non-citizens receiving the award, sating: "It is natural to assume that a good-citizenship award in a high school in the U.S. would go to a citizen of this country."

Personal life and death She married the businessman Frederic Alquin Groves in 1921. They had two daughters: Jane (who died in 1924) and Marjorie.

She died on August 27, 1986, and was buried at Lorimer Cemetery in Cape Girardeau.