#1 The Danish Pioneer’s Highlights of 2013: A Tribute to the Danish Sisterhood of America
By Linda Steffensen, The Danish Pioneer Newspaper’s Editor –
In 2013, my mother Elsa and I each had the honor of celebrating our 30-year memberships in the national organization, the Danish Sisterhood of America. We have really enjoyed our three decades of involvement in this active society – from attending National Conventions to District Conventions to local lodge meetings & functions – and we have enjoyed meeting and getting to know the Danish Sisterhood’s hardworking and dedicated national leaders through the years in addition to the dynamic local members of this organization with a “heart”.
In Chicago, we are members of Dagmar Lodge #4, which was organized in 1885. Dagmar Lodge #4 is like a large, extended family with about 100 members and it is a multi-generational group with quite a few grandmothers, mothers and/or daughters as members. Almost each month, we have activities – ranging from our After-Christmas Party in January to our Winter Luncheon in March, a Summer Outing in July to making Aebleskiver at the big Scandinavian Day Festival in September. In November, the lodge holds a popular Cookie Walk and in December, the Danish Sisterhood members are the hardworking volunteers behind the scenes providing the delicious Fellowship Hour at the Annual Danish Christmas Service in Chicago each year.
Dagmar Lodge #4’s next event will be its After-Christmas Holiday Party on Saturday, January 4, 2014.
The National Danish Sisterhood itself celebrates its 130th anniversary in 2013. The Danish Sisterhood of America was organized in 1883 in Negaunee, Michigan. Early lodges were organized to provide social and financial aid to fellow Danish countrymen in this new land. Today’s Danish Sisterhood has active members in more than 40 lodges throughout the United States and Canada. The mission of the Danish Sisterhood is to strengthen, maintain and preserve the Danish heritage and traditions for future generations.
The Danish Sisterhood has an active scholarship and grant program, including the Betty Hansen Continuing Education Grant, the Betty Hansen National Scholarship, the Mildred Sorensen National Scholarship, the Olga Christensen National Scholarship and the Elizabeth Garde Nursing Scholarship. In 2014, the Danish Sisterhood is again offering Camp Grants for its youth.
Looking Ahead to 2014 and 2015
Danish Sisterhood members are active at the big Scandinavian Day Festival at Vasa Park, South Elgin, IL each September.
In 2014, the Danish Sisterhood is planning a Tour of Denmark for 10 nights and 11 days from June 29 to July 9, 2014, including the Rebild Festival on July 4th. For more information, please contact National President Lizette Burtis at Lburtis@sbcglobal.net or 707-545-6023. (Deadline for booking is March 1, 2014, but the sooner the better since this sounds to be a popular tour).
In 2015, the Danish Sisterhood of America will hold its 26th National Convention in Denver, Colorado, right on the edge of Rocky Mountain Splendor. The National Convention is being hosted by Ellen Lodge #21. Please save the dates: October 15 – 17, 2015!
Congratulations again from the Steffensen Family to The Danish Sisterhood of America on its 130th Anniversary! We have enjoyed our 30 years of involvement, and we look forward to future conventions, programs, activities and events.
For more information, please visit www.danishsisterhood.com.
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