# Southern Dames of America

The National Society Southern Dames of America (often abbreviated as SDA or NSSDA) is a lineage society and charitable organization for women of Southern heritage that supports ophthalmic research and promotes patriotic, educational, and benevolent endeavors.

## History

In November 1962, a group of women decided to form an organization for women of Southern ancestry to promote education, patriotic and literary causes, and fund scholarships.
The society's first national assembly was held at the Atlanta Biltmore Hotel in Atlanta between June 2 and June 6, 1963. The chartering officers of the national society were Kathryn Slaughter Wittichen, honorary president and founder; Doris Walker Lyle, national president; Ms. Henry Frost Chadeayne, national vice president at large; Mrs. Allen D. O'Brian, national secretary; Mrs. Richard B. Redwood, national treasurer; Mrs. Thomas W. Huey, national historian; and Mrs. George T. Winn, national chaplain.
The second national assembly was held at the Willard Hotel in Washington, D.C. from April 22 to April 26, 1964.
In January 1965, the Georgia Society of the Southern Dames of America held a luncheon at the Capital City Club in Atlanta, where national vice president Mrs. Hiram Mozley discussed plans for the national society's European tour. The national president, Mrs. Lee H. Lyle, was also in attendance and gave updates on two of the national society's major projects, the Thomas Jefferson Political Science and History Award and the Eye Bank Program.
The society's main goals are to support ophthalmic research and promote patriotic, educational, and benevolent endeavors. Members of the society financially support various eye care centers, hospitals, and schools for the blind.

## List of presidents

The presidents of the National Society Southern Dames of America have been:
| Number | President | Years in office | State of membership |
| 1 | Kathryn Slaughter Wittichen (Mrs. Murray F.) | 1962–1963 | Florida |
| 2 | Doris Walker Lyle (Mrs. Lee H.) | 1963–1966 | Georgia |
| 3 | Winifred Simpson Yarrington (Mrs. R. Grayson) | 1968–1970 | Maryland |
| 4 | Emily Vance (Mrs. Herbert O.) | 1970–1972 | Florida |
| 5 | Lillian Everhart (Mrs. Edgar Jr.) | 1972–1974 | Georgia |
| 6 | Kathleen Plaster (Mrs. Dan Sr.) | 1974–1976 | Florida |
| 7 | Martha Jo Wallace (Mrs. William G.) | 1978–1980 | Florida |
| 8 | Margaret Boatright (Mrs. L. T. Jr.) | 1980–1982 | New Mexico |
| 9 | Melva M. Koonce (Mrs. James A.) | 1982–1984 | Alabama |
| 10 | Kay Milton (Mrs. John) | 1984–1986 | Florida |
| 11 | Ann Seay Briglia (Mrs. Arnold E.) | 1986–1988 | Alabama |
| 12 | Fritzi K. Martin (Mrs. Jack L.) | 1988–1990 | Louisiana |
| 13 | Hannah Jones (Mrs. Richard M.) | 1990–1992 | Florida |
| 14 | Anne B. Bradford | 1992–1994 | Tennessee |
| 15 | Shirley Spuhler (Mrs. Shelby) | 1994–1996 | Texas |
| 16 | Carolyn N. Godwin | 1996–1998 | Alabama |
| 17 | Polly Hutson (Mrs. William H.) | 1998–2000 | Florida |
| 18 | Frances W. Hawkins (Mrs. D.S.) | 2000–2002 | Maryland |
| 19 | Catherine F. Brister | 2002–2004 | Florida |
| 20 | Carolee P. McKinstry (Mrs. Sam W.) | 2004–2006 | Tennessee |
| 21 | Mary F. Rever (Mrs. William B. Jr.) | 2006–2008 | Maryland |
| 22 | Nelly G. Shearer (Mrs. William O.) | 2008–2010 | Tennessee |
| 23 | Dorothy Lee | 2010–2012 | Louisiana |
| 24 | Robin R. Towns (Mrs. Robert) | 2012–2014 | Georgia |
| 25 | L. Sue Comerford (Mrs. Richard J. Jr.) | 2014–2016 | Florida |
| 26 | Gabrielle "Gaby" Hadyka (Mrs. Joseph) | 2016–2018 | Texas |
| 27 | Camille Lowery (Mrs. Clifford) | 2018–2018 Died in office | Georgia |
| 28 | Brenda Hamilton | 2018–2020 | North Carolina |
| 29 | Bonnell "Bonnie" Wheeler Lashley | 2020–2022 | Georgia |
| 30 | Jessieanne Wells | 2022–present | Kentucky |