Patriotic Service
Our patriotic service projects include supporting various scholarships and educational programs, providing service to the military and veterans, and flag and citizenship programs.
Educational Partnership with Moulton Elementary
The Des Moines Borough Dames are proud to sponsor Moulton Elementary, a diverse, inner-city elementary school. We are inspired by Des Moines Dames who have worked at Moulton as teachers, nurses, and volunteers throughout the years. Our goal is to create opportunities for historical education which have tangible and meaningful effects on students as they grow and learn about our city, state, and national history and government. Our partnership with Moulton's students is the first step in historical education for youth.
National History Day
Students create projects and displays about an annual topic. The NSCDA-IA selects students to award the Early American History Award.
History Alive: Laws, Rights and Elections
The Des Moines Dames sponsors over 100 5th grade students to learn through hands-on activities and workshops about Iowa's important role in political history and how laws are created. Past programs include, students writing letters to honor Jack Trice, the first African-American football player at Iowa State University in 1923 who bravely fought for the minority athletes who have followed in his footsteps; discussions about Edna Griffin whose case went all the way to the Iowa Supreme Court in 1949; and Senator Tom Harkin's bold impact on accessibility for disabled Americans.
Support to Veterans and the Military
The Iowa Dames continually support women veterans, honoring their service to our country. Partnerships with women veterans include sending care packages to active-duty women in the military, inviting women veterans to speak at NSCDA-IA events and supporting the Women's Clinic at VA Hospitals in Des Moines and Iowa City. Most recently Miyoko Hikiji, a decorated U.S. Army and Iowa National Guard Veteran, spoke to the Des Moines Dames about her experience in Iraq and her book All I Could Be: My Story as a Woman Warrior in Iraq. Additionally, the Des Moines Dames have an ongoing partnership with the Women's Clinic at the VA Hospital. Each Christmas, the Dames provide Christmas gifts to the Women's Clinic for distribution to those in need. The Dames have also helped provide children's toys for the VA Hospital, so that the children of veteran mothers can be entertained while they are at the hospital.
USS Iowa
Christmas with the Women's Clinic at the VA Hospital
National Women Veterans of America
Wreaths Across America
Both the Davenport and Des Moines Dames participate in Wreaths Across America events, placing wreaths on veteran graves at the National Cemetery at the Rock Island Arsenal and the historic Woodland Cemetery in Des Moines.
Flag Programs
We encourage all Americans to fly their flags on flag day - June 14. NSCDA continues with the tradition of the American flag. Some helpful resources include the American Flag Etiquette Book and when to fly your flag half staff.
Citizenship Programs
In the early history of the NSCDA, citizenship projects emphasized preparing educational materials to help immigrants undertake the naturalization process. Participation in naturalization ceremonies continues throughout NSCDA societies. More recently Dames have recognized the need to improve the teaching of Civics and the ideals of our heritage in the school system. More projects are being developed to promote such lessons in our schools.