Black woman joins DAR despite its past
FLINT, Mich. — Accepting an offer to join the Daughters of the American Revolution could be a hard sell for a black woman.
That's why Gail Buckner Odom once declined an invitation to attend a DAR meeting.
As the descendant of a Revolutionary War patriot, though, Odom has changed her mind. Today, the retired Flint teacher is the sole black member of Genesee County's DAR chapter and believes she's among a select few dozen black members in the nation. National organizers say they don't track such numbers.
"Why shouldn't he (her ancestor) get the recognition he deserves?'' said Odom, who lives in a south Flint home decorated with African and African-American art.
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That's why Gail Buckner Odom once declined an invitation to attend a DAR meeting.
As the descendant of a Revolutionary War patriot, though, Odom has changed her mind. Today, the retired Flint teacher is the sole black member of Genesee County's DAR chapter and believes she's among a select few dozen black members in the nation. National organizers say they don't track such numbers.
"Why shouldn't he (her ancestor) get the recognition he deserves?'' said Odom, who lives in a south Flint home decorated with African and African-American art.