Daughters of the British Empire in Kansas
ABOUT
Daughters of the British Empire in Kansas are part of a national society, Daughters of the British Empire in the USA (DBE), a non-profit, non-political voluntary society of women of British or British Commonwealth birth or ancestry, who reside in the United States of America. DBE in Kansas, Inc. covers the Greater Kansas City, Missouri metropolitan area- both sides of the state line-as well as the state of Kansas. Five chapters meet in and around Kansas City from the Northland to Belton, Independence to Lenexa and Overland Park.. A sixth chapter covers Lawrence and Topeka. New chapters may form!
Monthly meetings (chapter and state board) are business meetings, with tea and social time before or afterwards. Our membership includes homemakers, doctors, lawyers, retirees, and professionals in healthcare, education and other fields.
Industrious, friendly, hospitable, charitable and intelligent, members love a good cup of tea, a chat, and a challenge.
We invite you to give us an opportunity to share our enthusiasm for DBE.
HISTORY
The society was founded in 1909 as Imperial Order, Daughters of the Empire in the USA. It became the National Society, Daughters of the British Empire in the U.S.A. in 1920. The society is affiliated with the Imperial Order, Daughters of the Empire in Canada (IODE); the Victoria League in London, England; and the General Federation of Women’s Clubs in the United States.
There are around 207 chapters and approximately 3600 members of the DBE throughout the USA with representation in 30 states
Our main focus is support of the British Home established in one of four districts of the US for retired men and women. DBE in Kansas chapters raise funds for The British Home Community in Brookfield, IL, est. 1924. Chapters also support their local community with many other fundraising activities such as the Alzheimer's Walk and PBS phone-in Britcom nights.
In Kansas, we raise funds through The British Faire held each November in Shawnee and via Spring Teas and other activities held by individual chapters. Our members hail from England, Scotland, Wales, New Zealand, Canada and several other Commonwealth countries, by birth or generational heritage. We love a cup of tea and a challenge!
Kansas is only one state in a National Organization that has celebrated over 100 years in existence. We are women drawn together by common interests and the desire to help others.
The British Home in Brookfield, IL was established in 1920 as a not-for-profit retirement home for British immigrants in the US. Now all nationalities are welcome and this institution has been rebranded as Cantata, offering a myriad of services beyond retirement.
Kansas chapters hold fundraisers for the public and within our organization. We usually have several Spring Tea events scheduled and hold our Annual British Faire in November.