Mary Desha

Mary Desha (March 8, 1850 – January 29, 1911) was an American clubwoman, educator, and civil servant who was one of the founders of Daughters of the American Revolution. She served as the Assistant Director of the DAR Hospital Corps during the Spanish–American War. Desha taught in Kentucky and Alaska schools and worked for the Office of Indian Affairs.

Early life Desha was born on March 8, 1850, in Lexington, Kentucky, to Dr. John Randolph Desha and Mary Bracken Curry Desha. She was a granddaughter of Kentucky Governor Joseph Desha, who served as a private during the American Revolutionary War and as a major general in the War of 1812. A note appeared in the Tacoma Ledger in January 1889, stating, "The Board of Education of Alaska has abolished flogging in the public school. This is a green laurel in the frosty crown of our northerly sister that will distinguish her as a leader in humanitarianism. Flogging school children is a relic of barbarism that casts a sad reflection upon our boasted civilization and scientific achievements." Sons of the American Revolution members Registrar General Dr. George Brown Goode, Secretary General A. Howard Clark, William O. McDowell (SAR member #1), Wilson L. Gill (secretary at the inaugural meeting), and 18 other people also met at the Strathmore Arms that day, but Desha, Lockwood, Ellen Hardin Walworth, and Eugenia Washington are called co-founders since they had held two or three planning meetings in August 1890.

Legacy At Desha's death the first memorial service ever held in Memorial Continental Hall was held for her by the Daughters of the American Revolution. The Mary Desha Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution is located in the District of Columbia.