Units Overseas Conference Sparkles!

Shari Thorne-Sulima, National Chair, Units Overseas

December 4, 2023

It was my great pleasure to participate in the Sparkling Units Overseas Conference Nov. 11-12 in Rome, Italy, with 40 DAR members from around the world and seven of our Executive Officers. The day included reports from the Executive Officers, Units Overseas National Chair Shari Thorne-Sulima, America 250! National Chair Kathryn West and Units Overseas Chapter Regents, followed by a delicious three-course Italian luncheon. After lunch, Mrs. Thorne-Sulima honored our veterans in attendance, Historian General Suzanne Heske gave a presentation entitled “Salute to Our Veterans,” and Pax Romana Chapter member Cara Kavanaugh presented on the life of abolitionist Sarah Parker Remond.

The next morning, we headed to Rome’s Non-Catholic Cemetery to lay a wreath honoring Sarah Parker Remond. Sarah was a Massachusetts-born free person of color, abolitionist, activist and physician who moved abroad in 1858, living in England and Italy. Following the ceremony, we enjoyed a family-style Roman lunch to conclude our visit with our beloved Units Overseas chapters leaders and members. Thank you to Units Overseas National Chair Shari Thorne-Sulima and her committee members; Chaplain General Virginia Lingelbach; Librarian General Cindy McNamara; Marie-Laurence de Rochefort-Sirieyx, the State Regent of France; Pax Romana Chapter Regent Valanna Widoff and chapter members; Rochambeau Chapter Regent Catherine Armand; Palatinate Chapter Regent Pam Jensen; España Chapter Regent Elane Granger Carrasco; the Pages; and the outstanding team who assisted with the Units Overseas Conference. It was a joy to spend time with our dedicated Units Overseas Daughters!

-Pamela Wright, President General

The Wright Administration’s Sparkling Units Overseas Conference convened on Saturday, November 11, 2023, in Rome, Italy, at the Baglioni Regina Hotel. The event welcomed the President General and over thirty-five guests from around the globe.

The conference featured reports from the National Committee Chair, all National Executive Officers, the NSDAR Office of Development, the America 250! National Chair and UO Chapters. Instead of her usual “State of the Society” report, the President General took the occasion to personally greet each of the Units Overseas Daughters.

After a sumptuous Italian buffet lunch held in the stunningly-beautiful dining room at the Baglioni Regina Hotel, an informative Q&A session with the President General and National Executive Officers was conducted for UO Daughters to get answers to their pressing questions.

Being our American Veteran’s Day, a salute to our Veterans was hosted. Historian General Suzanne Heske presented the DAR video “Honor, Respect, Never Forget our Vietnam Veterans,” which shared a history of the DAR’s service to our American heroes. A conference surprise was the premier of the song “Folds of Honor” written by Rick Dawson and Colton James. Proceeds from the sale of the song will support services and programs for our military through the similarly-named parent organization. UO guests were treated to the song’s premier only hours before its official premiere in Dallas, Texas. Thank you to Karon Brown, President General’s Project Committee Vice Chair, for arranging this special conference treat. Please visit https://YouTu.be/Puu7dfStOY8 to enjoy this tribute of support to our veterans.

Veterans in attendance were also honored, including Reporter General Junelle Mongno, America 250! Chair Kathryn Walker West, Palatinate Chapter Past Chapter Regent Pam Jensen and her husband Don Pullen, and President General’s Project Vice Chair Karon Brown. Appreciation was extended to Richard Sheehan, guest of UO Page Chair Caroline McWilliams, for his service with the Royal Armed Forces. As the conference adjourned, guests were encouraged to “roam Rome on your own” that evening, and return for a Sunday full of activities.

The Pax Romana Chapter arranged a memorable Sunday at the Cimitero Acattolico (The Non-Catholic Cemetery in Rome). Following an informative overview and slideshow led by Director Yvonne Mazurek, the group toured iconic burial sites and participated in a wreath laying at a plaque dedicated to African American women’s and civil rights activist Sarah Parker Remond. Ms. Remond’s remains have been lost due to the lack of upkeep to her plot; however, the cemetery placed a plaque on its wall in tribute to her community presence and service to others. To learn more about the cemetery and Ms. Remond, please visit www.cemeteryrome.it.

A traditional family-style lunch was hosted at the Ristorante Flavio al Velavevodetto, where the Pax Romana Chapter presented to each guest Italian-American lapel pins, an Inspiring Women in History bookmark calendar and a crisp linen tea towel adorned with Italian delicacies.

This Chair wishes to express her deep appreciation to the following for making our conference the sparkling success it was: UO Conference Pages Caroline McWilliams (Chief), Parker Adair, Emily Kulesa, Mari Noorai, Rachel Richardson and Mary Tedesco; Pax Romana Chapter members Valanna Widoff (Regent), Suzanne Tomkies, Margaret Curry-Michelangeli and Marti Biles Masini; Chaplain General Virginia Grace Lingelbach; Librarian General Cynthia McNamara; UO Vice Chairs Judy Ekeler, Diane Cone and Cindy Toone; and UOC friend Cecile Wimberley.

A grand time was had by all, but, more importantly, together we helped to tie more tightly the ribbons of the bow of service and friendship all around the globe. Brava!

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