Native Daughters of the Golden West Seeking More Members with Policy Change
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – The organization that picks the annual Saint Barbara for Old Spanish Days has historically been women who were born in California.
Now the Native Daughters of the Golden West (NDGW) has made a policy change –allowing women who simply reside in California.
The organization has been working to increase its membership which has been declining.
The California Grand President Renee Renee Rianda said, “it got to the point that we had so many ladies that were born here and moved out of state or came here even as little kids, even babies, two, three, four, five years old lived here all their lives, finally our board said we need to open this is up.”
It was just a few words with great significance. “Instead of born in California, reside in California is what we changed to,” she said. “Basically as long as you have a love of California and love of California history and preserving it and promoting it you’re in.”
The NDGW celebrated in July with a special ceremony at Casa De La Guerra in downtown Santa Barbara. The ceremony featured the members who have served as St. Barbara and other members of the group from Reina del Mar Parlor 126.
The local chapter was founded on April 20, 1901.
At a special tea, the 125 year old local parlor was given a special resolution from Mayor Randy Rowse.
The Native Daughters have been picking Saint Barbara 100 years. A special exhibit is underway at the Santa Barbara Historical Museum.
There were also dances from the Spirit and Junior Spirit of Fiesta and a performance from a group of three sopranos.
Past Saint Barbara’s were brought up in front of the audience for recognition. This year’s honoree Julie Herrera Foley was a member for 14 years and was chosen to represent the city. Her sister was Saint Barbara ten years ago.
Foley is a descendant of the Santa Barbara Royal Presidio Commadante Jose Ortega who arrived in California with the Portola Expedition.
There is also another parlor established in 1974. It is number 304. This chapter works with Old Spanish Days to coordinate the children who carry flowers at events and share them with the public. The Los Niños de las Flores program creates official greeters of Fiesta.
Often the announcement of Saint Barbara is at the El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park. It has significant ties to the Native Daughters as the location where the city was founded and its name comes from the patron Saint.
In a related action, the Native Sons of the Golden West, had already taken steps to expand its membership in a similar way.
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