Behind the History
United States Oldest Women’s Hereditary Society
During the years 1861-1865 various societies of women formed to aid and support the "Boys in Blue" as they fought to save our Union. Upon the formation of the Grand Army of the Republic in 1866 many of these women continued their efforts to aid the Veterans and their dependant ones. Thus, in compliance with General Order No. 14 issued by Colonel C.H. Houghton Commander of the G.A.R. in the Department (state) of New Jersey, an executive committee of five ladies met at Trenton, New Jersey November 30, 1881 for the purpose of organizing a State Department of Aid Societies and to formulate such rules and regulations for work tending to benefit the G.A.R. A second meeting was held December 15, 1881 at Trenton to adopt a charter and elect officers and begin work as the "Loyal Ladies’ League, Auxiliary to the G.A.R. Department of New Jersey." At the first convention held in Camden, New Jersey on January 25, 1883 16 Leagues were reported with a membership of 776.
1883: Consolidation
In order to consolidate the various societies which were now forming to assist the G.A.R. throughout the United States, Commander-in-Chief Paul Van Dervoort issued a call for a meeting to be held in Denver, Colorado on July 25, 1883 for the purpose of organizing one national auxiliary to the G.A.R. Many interested women as well as those who were already delegates from organized Departments and independent aid societies answered the call.
Although general agreement on the purposes and functions of this new organization existed, a strenuous debate ensued concerning eligibility for membership. The "Woman’s Relief Corps of Massachusetts" contended that all loyal women should have the privilege of joining while the Loyal Ladies’ League felt that the wives and blood kin of the Veterans should have the right to the eligibility. At the final vote a small majority decided that membership should be open to all loyal women thus making the "Woman’s Relief Corps" the recognized Auxiliary to the G.A.R.
1886: National Organization
The "Loyal Ladies’ League" continued their work in New Jersey and established a monthly paper to publish news of their activities and promote the objects and principals of the order. The following year found Leagues in Pennsylvania joining those in New Jersey and in 1885 Departments were established in California and Kansas. At the invitation of the Illinois Department Ladies of the G.A.R., a convention was convened in Chicago in November, 1886 for the purpose of forming a national organization. By the end of the first day all agreed to strike the words "Auxiliary to the G.A.R." and the name and ritual of the Ladies of the G.A.R. were adopted while the badge, charter forms, and general plan of operations of the Loyal Ladies’ League was continued.
The new National Order began with nothing in its treasury, but thanks to strong support of many G.A.R. comrades, the next meeting held in Columbus, Ohio in 1888 found the treasury with a full line of working material, all bills paid, a large increase in membership, and funds on hand to begin the next year’s work. By 1910 when the first official history of the Order was written, the Ladies of the G.A.R. had Departments organized in 29 states, membership of over 60,000, established widows and orphans homes in various states expending $30,000 annually for relief to Veterans, and included the Presidents of the United States among it’s members.
1959: Recognized by Congress
One of the remaining five Allied Orders of the G.A.R., in 1959 the Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic was charted by the Congress of the Unites States under Public Law 86-47, and remain dedicated to their mission today.
Today
The Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic is a national non-profit organization deeply rooted in history. The first Veteran’s organization, the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) was organized April 6, 1866 by Benjamin F. Stephenson of Decatur, Illinois. These Veterans of the Union Army held a convention on November 20, 1866 in Indianapolis, IN. In 1882 commander-in-Chief of the GAR, Paul Vandevoort, of Nebraska, requested a hearing for the purpose of effecting an Auxiliary to the GAR. At the opening of the hearing, July 26, 1883, in Denver, Colorado, emphasis was placed on the statement that the new organization of “Loyal Ladies League” would be considered the Auxiliary to the GAR and receive its official recognition. A strenuous debate ensued concerning eligibility. The "Women’s Relief Corps" wished to accept all women to membership and the "Loyal Ladies League" wanted to limit membership to blood relatives. The final vote went to the "Women’s Relief Corps." In November, 1886, the "Loyal Ladies league" changed their name to "Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic" and struck the words "Auxiliary to the GAR." History shows that the "Loyal Ladies League" was the first love of the GAR and all through the years the GAR refused to permit any other organization to use their name.
