History of the Society
The National Society of New England Women was organized January 24, 1895 by Mrs. William Gerry Slade and incorporated in the State of New York February 20, 1895. With New York City the headquarters of the Society in 1895 branches were organized in other parts of the United States and by 1905 the Society had expanded from coast to coast. Members in New York City, the original group, became members of the New York City Colony and after the reorganization of the Society in 1913, all Colonies were brought under an organization known as the National Society of New England Women. The name Colony, rather than branch, as it reminds one of the Colonial period, was suggested by the niece of the New England poet, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
The colors of the Society are red and white because the good ship Mayflower sailed from England under the flag of Saint George, white flag with red cross. This flag, with the addition of the crowned monogram of the King, was used in 1643 when the colonies of Plymouth, Massachusetts Bay, Connecticut and New Haven formed an alliance under the name of the United Colonies of New England, from which colonies we proudly claim our heritage.
The first Oregon Colony was disbanded in the 1990's. The Oregon Cascadia Colony has taken up the mantle to once again have the National Society of New England Women represented in Oregon.
The colors of the Society are red and white because the good ship Mayflower sailed from England under the flag of Saint George, white flag with red cross. This flag, with the addition of the crowned monogram of the King, was used in 1643 when the colonies of Plymouth, Massachusetts Bay, Connecticut and New Haven formed an alliance under the name of the United Colonies of New England, from which colonies we proudly claim our heritage.
The first Oregon Colony was disbanded in the 1990's. The Oregon Cascadia Colony has taken up the mantle to once again have the National Society of New England Women represented in Oregon.
This site is property of the Oregon Colony of the National Society New England Women. Graphics and information may not be copied or edited in any way without permission from the National Society. Web hyperlinks to non-NSNEW sites are not the responsibility of the NSNEW, or its Colonies.