Roll of Honor — National Society of Colonial Dames of America in the State of Minnesota

NSCDA Roll of Honor

The Roll of Honor was created as a part of the NSCDA’s fiftieth anniversary celebration in 1941 to recognize individuals in state societies whose sustained service, dedicated leadership and devotion to the ideals of the NSCDA has gone above and beyond the ordinary. A national committee defines guidelines and oversees distribution of certificates to awardees, while each state society’s board of managers oversees its own process for designating its nominees to be sent to the national Roll of Honor Chair. Names of recipients are recorded in a leather-bound book which is kept in the archives at Dumbarton House and displayed only at the Biennial conference or by request. For more information, please visit the national organization’s website at https://nscda.org/officers-committees/roll-of-honor/. The Minnesota Society has honored the following Dames as Roll of Honor recipients.

Katharine Winston

2022 - Susan Dunnavan

Born in Minnesota, Susan left to study at the University of Oregon as an undergraduate and did post graduate studies in Graphic Design at Portland State University. She has worked in special education, primarily at Pearl Buck Center in Eugene, Oregon, and also as a freelance illustrator/graphic artist. After a move to California, Susan, her husband Terry, and three children rejoined her family in Minnesota. While here, she has volunteered for eight years at the nonprofit We Can Ride, that pairs young adults and children with horses for the purpose of theraputic riding,

Susan’s service to our Society has included the following: Associate Trustee to the Friends of Sulgrave Manor, 2005-2010; Region II Conference Planning Committee, 2010-2011 (the conference was held in Minneapolis); Nominating Committee 2016; First Vice President of the Minnesota Society, 2018-2020; and President of the Minnesota Society 2020-2022. She led the Minnesota Dames during the difficult pandemic period.

2021 - Tammis McMillan & Jill Rudnitski

Tammis McMillan

Tammis McMillan received her BA from Connecticut College and attended the University of Edinburgh. A Minnesota native, she joined the Dames after returning to Minnesota having spent years living in the eastern United States and abroad. She has served as recording secretary, treasurer, and President of NSCDA-MN. During her presidency, Tammis instituted processes and systems for managing current and historical paperwork to share Dames information more effectively with members and the public. She led a team to complete inventory, organization, digitization and archival filing of lineage papers. She also instituted a system for online storage of board papers, and initiated a review and update of our bylaws and articles of incorporation. She was active in her work with the National society to improve the ways in which it supports state societies, and to keep Minnesota Dames informed about Dames matters outside of Minnesota. Her level of commitment has been extraordinary. In addition to the Dames, she is involved with the Stevens Square Foundation, which provides grants to help senior citizens remain independent. Her professional career was in the financial sector. Tammis is descended from William Swayne of Connecticut.

Jill Rudnitski

2024 - Katharine Winston

Katharine Stewart Winston became a Dame in May 1999. Her colonial ancestor is Thomas Dudley of Massachusetts.

Katharine’s distinguished service to the Minnesota Dames includes multiple terms chairing key committees. From 2014 to 2019 and 2022 to the present, Katharine chaired the Minnesota Society Patriotic Service Committee for International Scholarships. These scholarships, established in 1953, support international students in graduate and professional degree programs at the University of Minnesota. As committee chair, Katharine worked with the university to raise funds from Dames for the scholarships, recruited Dames to evaluate scholarship applications, and planned events introducing the Scholars to the Dames. As the university administration transitioned, Katharine provided the history and copies of the program’s founding documents to the new administration.

From 2020 to the present, Katharine also served as Minnesota Society Museum Properties chair. Her responsibilities included serving as one of three Dames representatives on the Board of Governors of the Alexander Ramsey House, which is owned and operated by the Minnesota Historical Society. Important initiatives overseen by the board during Katharine’s tenure included creation of a plan for restoration of the mansion’s grounds appropriate to the period when the house was occupied by Alexander Ramsey; creation of an interpretive framework for the historic property; and reopening of the mansion and grounds after the COVID epidemic closure. Katharine’s gardening expertise made her a valuable contributor.

Katharine is an enthusiastic participant in Dames events and activities. Her warm, outgoing personality, sense of humor, and passion for the Dames welcome and inspire prospective, new, and continuing members.

Jill Rudnitski has served as historian of NSCDA-MN since 2018. Born in Annapolis, MD, she has lived in Minnesota several times, most recently from 1997 to the present. She earned master’s degrees from the University of North Dakota and St. Cloud State University and retired from the Minnesota Historical Society in 2018. Jill joined the NSCDA-MN in 2014 at the same time as her mother, both descended from John Hall of Connecticut. As historian, she co-authored the 125th anniversary history of the NSCDA-MN. She also continued the work of the Minnesota Ancestor Project, researching, writing and posting historical sketches of prominent Minnesotans who are ancestors of current or former Dames, and creating similar sketches of each of NSCDA-MN’s fourteen founders, which are on NSCDA-MN’s website. Jill participated in recovering , organizing and scanning over 600 lineage papers for Minnesota Dames and posting them on the website. In 2021, she redesigned and recreated NSCDA-MN’s new website and continues to maintain it.

Susan Dunnavan

2020 - Adrienne Stork Morrison & Lois Abromitis Mackin

Adrienne Stork Morrison served as the Region II Historical Activities Representative as well as the chair of Historical Activities for the Minnesota society. She initiated the collection of stories about Minnesota Society members’ founding ancestors in the state of Minnesota, particularly during the first 100 years of statehood, 1858-1958. She also designed the NSCDA-MN pin. Adrienne and her husband Thomas Truxton Morrison also are involved with St. Olaf College, co-chairing its fundraising campaign and endowing a position there. A native Minnesotan, she was born in West St. Paul and was Miss St. Paul in 1958. She attended the University of Minnesota. She is descended from John Mason of Connecticut and Peter Hobart of Massachusetts.

Lois Abromitis Mackin attended Brown University, worked in the defense industry and non-profit management, and is currently a genealogical researcher, writer, and educator.

Lois belongs to the Daughters of the American Revolution, the NSCDA-Minnesota, and the Mayflower Society. She has been chapter and state Registrar for the DAR and Registrar and 1st Vice President for the Dames. She is also a past officer of the Minnesota Genealogical Society and a founding member of the Association of Professional Genealogists’ Northland chapter. A past Registrar for the Minnesota Dames, she is now 1st Vice President of the Minnesota society. While registrar, she led the NSCDA-MN’s effort to gather, scan and organize lineage papers for the organization’s 650+ current and past members. She is descended from Francis Cooke.

2016 - Harriet VanKennen Osborn

Harriet “Kandi” VanKennen Osborn was born in Evanston Illinois. She married S. Bartley Osborn in Rye, New York in 1978. Kandi was program chair of NSCDA-MN in 1994 and President of the NSCDA-MN from 1995-1998. She felt fortunate to serve as President during the organization’s 100th anniversary. For that occasion, a trip to Washington DC and Virginia was organized, a special visit by the executive director and noted historian from the New England Historical and Genealogical Society was welcomed, and a trip on the Mississippi River by historic paddle wheel boat was enjoyed by Dames and families. Kandi went on to become President of the Lake Minnetonka Garden Club and continues as a judge for the Garden Club of America. She also continued her work for the NSCDA-MN, becoming a Regent of Gunston Hall and leading the successful effort to meet the DeLeo Challenge to create an endowment fund for the Alexander Ramsey House in 2012.

2013 - Kathryn Wildman Johnson

Kathy was born in Lake Wales, Florida, surrounded by cousins in a place her family had lived for generations. Her travels brought her to Minnesota by way of Alabama, Texas, California and Wisconsin. She began researching family history in 2003 and has never stopped. She joined the NSCDA-MN in 2009 and almost immediately became Registrar, a position she filled energetically until 2014, recruiting many new members and shepherding their lineage documents throughout their candidacies. Kathy also worked with fellow Roll of Honor recipient Adrienne Morrison on organizing the historical papers of NSCDA-MN in preparation for scanning, and developed a storage and preservation plan. She initiated Minnesota’s participation in IDames, the national NSCDA’s online membership roster. Now living in North Carolina and the mother of two adult children, she is descended from George Carrington of Virginia.

2012 - Marnie Franks Hensel, Susan Brewster McCarthy & Kathleen Winsor Petit

Marnie Franks Hensel has been a member of the Dames since 1985. She served as President of NSCDA-MN from 2013 to 2014 and previously was the Minnesota Lady of Dumbarton house for several years, Historical Activities chair, and the Chairman of the Region II meeting in May of 2011. She graduated from Smith College, married and moved to Minnesota over fifty years ago and has made Minnesota her home. She is descended from the Reverend William Yates of Virginia.

Susan Brewster McCarthy serves as the Lady of Dumbarton House from Minnesota, a post she has held since 2014. She is currently the chair of the Museum Properties Committee. She is also the Region II representative on the executive committee of the Dumbarton House Board and a former member of the Dumbarton House Board Nominating Committee. Her active membership as a Colonial Dame began in 1985. Susan is a descendant of Colonial ancestor William Brewster.

Kathleen Winsor Petit was born in St. Paul, MN and grew up on Lake Minnetonka. She graduated from the University of Minnesota with a BA degree in Art History. She has written a book on her ancestor Joshua Winsor who came to America in 1634 and joined Roger Williams and 11 other colonists in signing the Providence Plantations Compact for what later became the state of Rhode Island. Since joining the NSCDA-MN in 2005 she has held the positions of Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary and President, serving as President from 2008-2011. During her time as president, Minnesota hosted the NSCDA Regional Conference in Minneapolis. In 2012 she was elected to the NSCDA National Executive Committee as Recording Secretary, a position she held for two years. She is currently a Friends of Sulgrave Manor Executive Trustee as well as Associate Trustee from the Minnesota Society, Corresponding Secretary of NSCDA-MN, and is co-author of the 125th anniversary history of the NSCDA-MN.

2011 - Carolyn Helen Colwell Dahl

Carolyn Helen Colwell was born in Minneapolis and married Tucker Dahl in 1984. She joined the NSCDA-MN in 2001, becoming active with the Dames’ International Student Scholarship committee and serving as its chair. In addition to serving on NSCDA-MN’s Board of Governors, she served as chair of registration for the Region II conference held in Minneapolis in 2011. This was a big job, and Carolyn fulfilled it admirably. Besides the Dames, she has also been involved with the Friends of the Institute at Mia, serving as treasurer of Art in Bloom and as President of the Friends. She also served on the board of the Stevens Square Foundation and as board president. She is descended from Robert Burdick of Rhode Island.

2010 - Nancy Bergerson & Ruth Stryker Gordon

Nancy Bergerson served as NSCDA-MN President 2003-08 and stepped in again when her help was needed to serve as President again in 2014-15. She also served as the Minnesota Lady of Dumbarton House and previously as National Recording Secretary. Nancy is a descendant of Jeremiah Clarke (1605- 1652) of Colonial Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.

Ruth Stryker Gordon (1925-2021) was born in St. Paul in 1925 and graduated from the University of Minnesota with her BS and RN degrees, and obtaining a master’s in education at the University of St. Thomas. She was Director of Nursing Education at the Sister Kenny Institute and taught at the University of Minnesota for 17 years, also authoring ten textbooks in nursing. She was an active and energetic force in our Minnesota Dames since she joined in 2003. Ruth served as Treasurer and as Second Vice President of our Minnesota society. She spoke at the NSCDA-MN annual meeting in 2019 about her childhood association with Sarah Colvin, a suffragist who was sent to jail for marching for women’s suffrage. NSCDA-MN created a History Sketch of her ancestors, John and Virginia Perin Stryker. Ruth had many other interests as well, serving as board chair of the Unity Church Unitarian, and serving on the boards of the New Century Club and the Stratis Health Board. She had a distinguished career as a nurse, writer and educator, and had an abiding love of dogs, which led to her authorship of several books, including Follow the Dog, a history of the St. Paul Police Department canine unit.

2009 - Elizabeth Stevenson Dunnavan

Elizabeth Stevenson Dunnavan (1923-2015) grew up in Minneapolis, attending Northrup Collegiate School. She graduated from Mount Vernon College in Washington DC and served in the WAVES during World War II. Liz married Richard Dunnavan in 1948. A dedicated volunteer, she taught ESL, volunteered at Abbott Northwestern Hospital, and worked for Traveler’s Aid in addition to tutoring students. She joined NSCDA-MN in 1993 and served as Registrar in 2009. Liz was added to the NSCDA Roll of Honor in 2009. Her daughter is also a leader in NSCDA-MN, serving as Trustee for Sulgrave Manor, assisting in programs, and organizing tours for the Regional Convention in 2011, and currently as President. Liz is descended from John Alden.

2008 - Nancy Ann Lueder Johnson

Nancy Ann Lueder Johnson (1930-2017) was born in 1930 in Iowa, the daughter of Marion Heikes and Herman Lueder. Ann attended Monticello College and the University of Nebraska. She married Thomas Errol Johnson in 1953 in Omaha, Nebraska and they had three children. Ann joined the NSCDA-MN in 1995. She is descended from Richard Warren of Massachusetts.

2007 - Priscilla Brewster

Priscilla Brewster is the granddaughter and niece of Connecticut Dames and has been a member of the Minnesota Society since 1985. Holding the positions of Registrar, Second Vice President and First Vice President led to her position as President of NSCDA-MN from 2011-2013. In 1999 she was asked to be the state representative on the Board of Regents of Gunston Hall and served 10 years on the board: four of them as First Regent. She graduated from Scripps College in Claremont, California with a B. A. in English Literature and worked for Dreyfus Corporation and William Doyle Auction House in New York City, and appeared in numerous TV commercials for WLTE Lite Rock Radio. She has been involved with many boards: the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, the Junior League of St. Paul, the St. Paul Garden Club, the Guthrie Theater, the Vail Valley Dance Festival and the St. Paul Parks Conservancy. She is descended from William Brewster of Massachusetts and James Fitch if Connecticut.

2006 - Mary Jo Wachtler

Mary Jo Cahill Wachtler (1924-2014) Mary Jo was born in South Dakota in 1924, the daughter of Neil Cahill and Mollie Miller Ronish. After graduating from Woonsocket High she was a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of South Dakota. She married Peter Cahill in South Dakota in 1946, and they had five children. Mary Jo brought her business expertise to the Dames as a result of her work at the St. Paul Fire and Marine company. She also was instrumental in planning and staging the NSCDA-MN Centennial Gala in 1996. She is descended from Edward Inman of Rhode Island and Providence Plantation.

2005 - Ruth Putnam Huss

Ruth Putnam Huss was born in St. Paul, the daughter of Henry and Jean Putnam. She graduated from Summit School and Smith College. She married A. John Huss in 1972. Ruth has served on the Executive Council of the Minnesota Historical Society and the boards of the Minnesota Opera and St. Paul Chamber Orchestra. She and John serve on the President’s Advisory Council of the Ordway Performing Arts Center in St. Paul. Ruth has been a member of the St. Paul Garden Club and St. Paul Junior League. She joined the Dames in 1981 and served as Historical Activities chair, Regent of Gunston Hall and then as President of the Minnesota Society from 1998-2001. She has continued her service to the Alexander Ramsey House. Ruth was awarded the Distinguished Alumnae Award from SPA and Summit School in 2018. She, with her husband John, was named 2011 Outstanding Philanthropists of the Year in 2011 by Minneapolis St. Paul Magazine and by the Association for Fundraising Professionals. She is descended from Thomas Prence of Massachusetts.

1997 - Marney Brown Brooks

Marney Brown Brooks (Margaret Annette Brown) (1922-2012) was born Minneapolis, Minnesota, the daughter of Monterville Brown and Minnesota Stinchfield Brown. She graduated from Summit School and Vassar. Marney married Conley Brooks in 1944. Marnie was a dedicated supporter of history, including the Colonial Dames and the Minnesota Historical Society, where she served on the Board and was instrumental in raising the capital to build the Minnesota History Center. She also pursued extensive genealogical research and writing, including the books A Pioneer's Legacy and Turning the Leaves. Marney loved nature and was an avid bird watcher and gardener, as well as being an accomplished musician. She served as Historical Activities chair for NSCDA-MN. Her Colonial Ancestor was George Barbour of Massachusetts.

1989 - Nancy Ottis Harris

Nancy Ottis Harris (1930-2005) was the daughter of Bruce and Clara Harris. Born in St. Paul, she was a graduate of Summit School in St. Paul, Mills College, and Columbia Presbyterian School of Nursing. She chaired the United Hospital Foundation Board and served on the United Hospital board. She served as President of NSCDA-MN from 1981-1983. Nancy cochaired the NSCDA Region II conference in the Twin Cities in 1994, and also served as National Parliamentarian for NSCDA. She lived in White Bear Lake in later years. Her Colonial Ancestor was John Ogden of New Jersey.

1988 - Carolyn Benepe, Georgia Ray Lindeke & Anne Leslie McCarthy

Carolyn Stoltze Benepe (1927- 2015) was born in Shreveport, Louisiana. The family moved to Minneapolis around 1930. The Stoltze's later relocated to Afton, Minnesota on May's Lake. Carolyn graduated from Summit School in St. Paul. She attended Smith College until her marriage to Lou Benepe. Carolyn loved to travel, including an African Safari, greeting the Millennium from Australia, chasing Puffins, white-water rafting on the Snake, sailing on the Sea Cloud, avoiding icebergs and roaming nearly every inch of the British Isles with the Blythe Spirits group. Carolyn was very active with the National Society of Colonial Dames, served as a Regent of Gunston Hall and was very active in the historic preservation of the property. Carolyn was President of NSCDA-MN from 1985-1987. She cochaired the NSCDA Region II conference in the Twin Cities in 1994. She was a member of the New Century Club, and Thursday Club. She sang in the choir for 51 years at her church. Carolyn actively supported the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, and The Science Museum of Minnesota, where she was a volunteer for many years. Her qualifying ancestor was Rev. Peter Bulkeley of Massachusetts.

Georgia Ray Lindeke (1926-2021) was born in Duluth in 1926, the daughter of Berenice Emma Steverwald Ray and Philip Lacey Ray. She is a 1944 graduate of the St. Paul Academy and a 1948 graduate of Wellesley College. She married Donald Williamson DeCoster in 1950, and Albert Lindeke in 1995. She was known as an author and a leading proponent of historic preservation in St. Paul. Georgia has won awards from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the American Association of State and Local History, the Minnesota Society of Architects, and the St. Paul Chamber of Commerce for her work in historic preservation. She was a member of the St. Paul City Planning board in the 1960s. She wrote several books about St. Paul author Grace Flandrau, and wrote the Colonial Dames history in 1996, for its 100th anniversary. Georgia also wrote biographical publications on NSCDA-MN founder Marion Furness and her daughters Anita (Anna) and Laura Furness. Added to the NSCDA Roll of Honor for Minnesota in 1988, she was President of the NSCDA-MN from 1987-1991.

Anne Leslie McCarthy (1923-2007) was born in Minnesota, the daughter of Ruth Hill and Frank Leslie. She graduated from Northrop Collegiate School in 1942 and attended Vassar College for three years. Anne married Lt. Donald W. McCarthy in 1947. She served on the board of managers for NSCDA-MN and served on the board of Dumbarton House, was registrar for NSCDA-MN, and provided leadership to the Dames’ scholarship to benefit students at the U of M International Student Services. For the Nation’s bicentennial, she composed two biographical sketches of women who made important contributions to our state’s history, Charlotte Van Cleve and Abby Mendenhall; these biographies were submitted to the Library of Congress by NSCDA. She headed the local campaign to raise funds for Dumbarton House in 1991, the NSCDA’s 100th anniversary. Besides her involvement with the Dames, Anne was on the board of the New England Historical Genealogical Society, was a Trustee of Stevens Square Home, Goodwill Industries, and chair of the Women’s division of the United Way. Her daughter is also a Colonial Dame. Anne is descended from Henry White II of North Carolina.

1979 - Ruth Bovey Stevens

Ruth Bovey Stevens (1902-2001) was born in Minneapolis, the daughter of Charles Cranston Bovey and Katherine Koon, who also was a Colonial Dame. She attended Northrup College and graduated from Vassar College in 1924. She married Nathaniel Stevens and they had four children. She was a Regent of Gunston Hall for 12 years. She was past president of Big sisters, Friends of the Art Institute, Lake Minnetonka Garden Club, and was a national judge for the Garden Club of America. She was descended from both John Alden of Massachusetts and Joseph Peck of Connecticut.

1977 - Martha Clark Putnam Holman & Alice Bell Eggleston Pratt

Martha Clark Putnam Holman (1903-1982) was born in Spokane, Washington, the daughter of Charles and Mary Clark Putnam. She attended Smith College. She married attorney James Lusk Holman in 1927 and they had two children, Mary Clark Holman and John Holman. Martha served as president of the NSCDA-MN from 1961-1964. Prior to that, she served on the Patriotic Service Committee beginning in 1953 and served as its vice chair from 1954-1957. Martha was NSCDA-MN’s second vice president from 1955-1958. She was a member of the Junior League and served as Secretary in 1929. Her colonial ancestor was Thomas Prence of Massachusetts.

Alice Bell Eggleston Pratt (1901-1981) was born in Minneapolis to Alice Adams and William Augustus Eggleston. She attended Smith College, graduated in 1923 and married Henry Townsend Pratt in 1926. She was President of the Lake Minnetonka Garden Club in 1935. She also was involved with the Junior league and the Little Garden Club. Alice joined the Dames in 1965, and her daughter Judith joined in 1971. Alice served as program chair and registrar of NSCDA-MN. Alice was named to the Roll of Honor in 1977.

1972 - Elsie Thayer Rider

Elsie Thayer Rider (1893-1979) was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the daughter of Hiram and Harriet (Carpenter) Thayer. She married Stuart Williams Rider in 1917. She served as President of the Community Health Nursing Service and was involved in the Maternity Hospital Corporation and the Red Cross Victory Squad. She served as vice president of the Junior League in addition to her service as President of NSCDA-MN in 1964-67 and her service as Treasurer of NSCDA-MN from 1944-1951. After her term as President, she remained involved, working with the Alexander Ramsey House refurnishing and redecorating. Elsie was an author of the 75th anniversary NSCDA-MN history written in 1971. She is descended from William Carpenter of Massachusetts.

1967 - Marion Eleanor Cross

Marion Eleanor Cross (1903-1996), the daughter of attorney Norton M. Cross and Martha V. Ankeny, ensured the legacy of the NSCDA-MN scholarship for International Students at the University of Minnesota by creating an endowment in her will. Granddaughter of Judson Newell Cross, Civil War veteran and champion of the Forest Reserve Law and his wife Clara Steele Norton. Marion authored several books related to the history of Minnesota explorers and businesses. She translated Father Hennepin’s 1680 Description of Louisiana Newly Discovered to the Southwest of New France by Order of his Majesty from the original French, which was published by the U of M Press for the NSCDA-MN. She served on the NSCDA-MN board of managers as Treasurer from 1953-1955.

1961 - Florence Welles Carpenter, Carolyn McKnight Christian, Laura Winter Dean, Anna “Anita” Furness, Eleanor Lawler Pillsbury, Helen “Nelle” Winston Pillsbury, & Anne Turney White

Florence Welles Carpenter (1867-1958) was the daughter of Isabella (Griswold) and Edwin Pillsbury Welles. She graduated from Wells College and later served as a trustee. She married Elbert Carpenter in 1890. Florence was a trustee of the Minneapolis Society of Fine Arts and was also associated with the Minneapolis Associated Charities, the Friendly Visitors’ Conference, the Woman’s Club of Minneapolis, and taught a women’s bible class at Westminster Presbyterian Church for thirty years. She was second Vice President of NSCDA-MN from 1922-1934, first Vice President in 1939, and President from 1940-1944.

Carolyn McKnight Christian (1875-1964) was born in Denver, Colorado, daughter of Sumner and Eugenia Manville McKnight. She married George Christian in 1897. She became involved in the family’s support of the Citizen’s Aid Society and was President for 25 years. She was the first president of the Friends of the Minneapolis Institute of Arts and supported the University of Minnesota and Harvard Divinity School, Breck School, Carleton College, and many other organizations. After the death of her husband, Carolyn carried on the family’s work with the Glen Lake Sanatorium. The Carolyn Foundation was established after her death. She was President of the NSCDA-MN from 1923 to 1929. Her colonial ancestor was Roger Clapp of Massachusetts.

Laura Winter Dean (1871-1968) was born in Kentucky in 1871, daughter of Edwin Wheeler Winter and Elisabeth Cannon. She married William John Dean in St. Paul in 1891. Together they had 9 children, including twin daughters Helen and Alice. She was first Vice President of the Minnesota Society of the NSCDA from 1922 to 1928 and President from 1929 to 1932, and her daughter Helen became President from 1972 to 1974. Some of Laura’s descendants are current Dames today.

Anna “Anita” Earl Ramsey Furness (1876- 1964) was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the oldest daughter of Marion Ramsey Furness, only child of Minnesota governor Alexander Ramsey, and Charles Furness. She attended the Baldwin School in St. Paul and the Convent de la Assumption in Paris, France. She was president of the Women’s City Club, Vice regent of the Mount Vernon Ladies Association, and member of the Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul Century Club and Unity Unitarian Church. She served as President of NSCDA-MN from 1936-1940. In her will, she provided for her home, first built for her grandfather, to be given to the Minnesota Historical Society with a provision that the NSCDA-MN share governance. Her colonial ancestor was Joseph Kirkbride of Pennsylvania.

Eleanor Jerusha Lawler Pillsbury (1887-1991) was born in Mitchell, Dakota Territory (now South Dakota), the daughter of John D. and Ella Marie (Sturgis) Lawler. She was educated in St. Louis at Maryville Sacred Heart Convent and in Rome, Italy at Trinita de Monti. She married John Sargent Pillsbury and was involved with many charities; was President of Planned Parenthood, on the board of Good Samaritan Medical Center, and supported United Way and the American Red Cross. Eleanor served as second Vice President of NSCDA-MN from 1946-1949, first vice president beginning in 1949, and President from 1952-1955. While she served as President, she approached the University of Minnesota’ International Student Services office to create the Colonial Dames scholarship, which has helped over 800 students and continues to this day. She also served as regent of Gunston Hall. She is descended from Thomas Dudley of Massachusetts

Helen “Nelle” Winston Pillsbury (1878-1957) was the daughter of Philip Winston and Katherine Stevens. A native of Minneapolis, she married Charles Stinson Pillsbury. She was active with the Pillsbury Settlement House, maternity hospital, Girl Scouts and National Child Health Organization. She was a member of the Women’s Club, DAR, and the Order of First Families of Virginia, among other organizations. She was an avid family historian and commissioned and assisted in the publication of a book on her Winston family history. She was Treasurer of the NSCDA-MN from 1922-1927, First Vice President from 1929-1931, and President from 1932 to 1936. Christopher Robinson of Virginia was her Colonial ancestor

Anne Turney White (1890-1960) was born in Columbus, Ohio, daughter of Henry and Emma Turney. She married Edwin White in 1914 and moved to Minnesota. While still a newcomer, she cofounded the Junior League of St. Paul with two other women. The first meeting was held in 1917. She was second Vice President of NSCDA-MN from 1944-1946, first Vice President from 1947-1948, and President from 1949-1952. Her colonial ancestor was James Meigs of Connecticut.

1941 - Marion Furness & Anna Jane Cleveland

Marion Ramsey Furness (1853-1935) was the daughter of Minnesota’s first territorial governor, Alexander Ramsey, and his wife Anna Jenks Ramsey. She was the only one of their children to survive to adulthood. Marion attended boarding school in Philadelphia. In 1875, she married Charles Furness. Marion and her children moved to Minnesota and lived in her parents’ home in St. Paul, now the Alexander Ramsey House operated by the Minnesota Historical Society. She was one of the founders of the NSCDA-MN and its longest serving President, from 1908 to 1923. She was also involved in the Harvest Festival, Home for the Friendless, Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic, Schubert Club, and New Century Club. Her colonial ancestor was Joseph Kirkbride.

Anna Jane Cleveland

Anna Jane Cleveland (1850-1939) was born in Ohio and moved to Minnesota with her parents, George Cleveland and Lydia Jane Lyon Cleveland, by 1880. Descended from Thomas Hinckley of Massachusetts, she joined NSCDA-MN in 1898. She served as Vice President and honorary Vice President of the Minnesota society for many years, and oversaw “Americanization” work to support immigrant women. It was at her suggestion that the Dames placed a tablet at the source of the Mississippi River in 1923.