OGDENSBURG – The local Daughters of the American Revolution chapter, Swe-kat-si, has made a doll outfit honoring Congresswoman Patricia Schroeder, one of 50 women from the National Woman’s Hall of Honor, Seneca Falls, chosen by the New York Daughters.

Regent Sally W. Hartman, Rensselaer Falls, selected Patricia Schroeder at the New York State Convention last September. Sally and her husband Kyle D. Hartman had lived in Colorado in the early 1970s and were aware of the Colorado congresswoman as a role model for women.

“During her 12 terms in Congress, Patricia Schroeder has made an indelible mark on our times through her trailblazing leadership in the House of Representatives, where she worked tirelessly to establish national family policy, including issues like parental leave, child care, family planning, and more. She was also a leader in foreign and military policy, serving on the House National Security Committee, the House Judiciary Committee and chaired the Select Committee on Children, Youth and Families. Schroeder, who earned a law degree from Harvard University, was first elected from Colorado in 1972 and continued to serve her constituency until she announced her retirement in late 1995.

One of the few women in modern times to become a candidate for the Presidency, Schroeder has always been an outspoken advocate for what she calls "work and family issues," in recognition of the fact that issues concerning women inevitably impact all families. She wrote and introduced the now-enacted Family and Medical Leave Act in 1985, and has been a primary advocate to enact legislation and secure funding for key legislation to support women's health research. One of the nation's most respected women, Patricia Schroeder was not only a sophisticated and successful legislator; she embodies an unblinking commitment to represent the interests of women and their families at the highest levels of government, and do all in her power to see that those interests are served. She does not apologize for her feminism and her advocacy.” http://womenincongress.house.gov/member-profiles/profile.html?intID=220

Hartman worked with Swe-kat-si member Bethany Nelson, who designed and created the outfit for the American Girl style doll. Bethany said, “She could have made two outfits for herself in the time it took to make this dolls outfit.”

Hartman also had help from her niece Emma Stemples, Lisbon, who is well versed in American Girl clothing. She also sought help from her friend Lucinda Cross who lives in Colorado. Lucinda sent a mini-Colorado flag. Hartman found new shoes and socks for the doll on the American Girl website and www.ebay.com.

Pictured, Bethany J. Nelson, Swe-kat-si Chapter NSDAR, holds up the finished American Girl pant suit in honor of Congresswoman Patricia Schroeder, one of 50 women from the National Woman’s Hall of Honor, Seneca Falls, chosen by the New York Daughters. One of Nelson’s quilts is shown in the background.

Photos of 50 ‘Miss Merry Ann’ outfits will appear on the DAR Facebook page and the commemorative booklet.

For more information, contact Sally Hartman at kyle57@twcny.rr.com.