A Brief History of the Fairfax Chapter
The minutes of the 1912 Virginia Division show that the Fairfax Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy was organized on May 12, 1912, the Chapter charter being issued on July 19 of that same year. A Mrs. Alexander of Alexandria, Va., is shown as the organizer.In three months, the original 11 members of the Chapter had increased to 17 and could already boast of having held a luncheon for 75 Confederate veterans and presented 28 Crosses of Military Service, including one to Col. Robert E. Lee, the grandson of the Commander of the Army of Northern Virginia.
In keeping with its desire to be an active, vital organization, the Chapter presented historical books and portraits to area schools and sponsored essay contests and scholarships. It also engaged in benevolent work on behalf of Confederate veterans and their widows.
While still observing the national UDC goals of memorialization and benevolence, the Fairfax Chapter made a special effort to pay tribute to those Confederate heroes who hailed from the Old Dominion. In 1937, the Chapter donated $16 toward a Jefferson Davis monument. At the same time, a marker honoring Col. John Singleton Mosby, better known as "The Gray Ghost," was erected for the sum of $137. Col. Mosby's great-grandson officiated at the unveiling ceremony. In 1927, the chapter erected a bronze and granite marker commemorating the wounding of Peyton Anderson, the first Confederate soldier to "shed his blood" in defense of the South.
World War I and World War II saw the Chapter making financial contributions to nursing funds as well as making and donating hundreds of "soldier kits" for servicemen overseas.
Throughout the Chapter's existence, many of its members have served the UDC on the Division and General levels. Mrs. Peggy Palmer, a past Division President (1973-1975) and ex-President General (1994-1996), is a member of the Fairfax Chapter, as is Mrs. Martha Boltz, who has served as Corresponding Secretary General (1994-1996), Division Second Vice President, General Public Relations Chairman, and Historical Articles Editor for the UDC Magazine. Charlotte Clinger has served as events coordinator for several special projects at the General level (including the Women in Military Service to America Memorial and World War II Memorial dedications), as Division Recorder of Military Service Awards, and as General Chairman of the UDC Magazine Committee. Mrs. Juliana Geris has served as Division Randolph Relief Chairman and as Division Second Vice President.
In 1996, Fairfax Chapter chartered the Antonia Ford Chapter of the Children of the Confederacy. Several of its members have held office on the Division level, including Katie Fraser (Recording Secretary, Editor, Vice President, President), Dylan Lee (Custodian, Chaplain, Second Vice President, Third Vice President, Nominating Committee Chairman), John Adams (Treasurer, Vice President, President), Robin Adams (Historian, Chaplain, Honorary President of Division), and Galen Mandes (Recording Secretary, Second Vice President). In addition, Katie served as Recording Secretary General (2000-2001), and John served as Nominating Committee Chairman (2001-2002) and Second Vice President General (2002-2003).
As the Fairfax Chapter enters its ninety-fifth year of existence, it takes pride in the accomplishments of its Confederate ancestors and looks towards a future bright with promise as the next generation of Southern women take their places in the ranks of the Organization.
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