Lynn Forney Young
Young in 2020
Commissioner for the United States Semiquincentennial
Assumed office
2017
Appointed byPaul Ryan
43rd President General of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution
In office
2013–2016
Preceded byMerry Ann T. Wright
Succeeded byAnn Turner Dillon
Personal details
Political partyRepublican
SpouseLarry Steven Young
Children2
EducationStephen F. Austin State University
University of Houston

Lynn Forney Young is an American civil leader and clubwoman. She was the 43rd President General of the Daughters of the American Revolution, serving from 2013 to 2016. As the organization's president general, she oversaw a $4 million restoration of DAR Constitution Hall, led the organization in setting a Guinness World Record for "most letters to military personnel collected in one month" with 100,904 letters to members of the United States Armed Forces, and met with Elizabeth II during an event to launch a project to digitilize the Royal Archives of George III.

In June 2016, Young was appointed to the United States Semiquincentennial Commission by House Speaker Paul Ryan and took office in 2017. She is also a member of the Colonial Dames of America, the National Society Colonial Dames XVII Century, the National Society Daughters of the American Colonists, the National Society United States Daughters of 1812, the United Daughters of the Confederacy, and the Daughters of the Republic of Texas.

Early life and education

Young was born and raised in Houston, Texas. She attended Stephen F. Austin State University, where she was a member of Delta Zeta.[1] She graduated from the University of Houston.[2]

Career

Young is a member of a variety of historical and lineage societies, including the Daughters of the American Revolution, Milam County Historical Commission, El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail Association, the United Daughters of the Confederacy, the Colonial Dames of America, the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, the National Society Daughters of the American Colonists, the National Society United States Daughters of 1812, and the National Society Colonial Dames XVII Century.[3][4]

Daughters of the American Revolution

Majestic Eagle, symbol of the Young Administration

Young joined the Daughters of the American Revolution in the 1980s and has served many roles, from Regent of the Tejas Chapter to President General. Elected PG in 2013, she was the first DAR member from Texas to hold the office.[5][6] The symbol of her administration was the "majestic eagle." Her administration's theme was “Honoring Our Heritage—Focusing on the Future—Celebrating America!,” commonly shortened to "Celebrate America!," and focused the DAR's role as a service organization. She encouraged Chapters and Members to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the NSDAR in 2015 and participate in the new Celebrate America! Committee, which focused on meaningful public service.[7] She asked members to log one million service hours and ultimately 14 million hours were logged. Her term coincided with the 125th anniversary of the DAR in 2015.[5]

As president general, she Celebrated the Daughters of the American Revolution's 125th Anniversary. The organization reached its highest yearly total of new members in 2013, with 13,906 new members.[6] Young initiated the National DAR Day of Service and, under her term, members of the organization logged over 14.5 million service hours.[6][5] The organization also set a Guinness World Record for "Most letters to military personnel collected in one month" by collecting 100,904 letters.[8]

Young created the Sustaining Supporter Program, the Daughters Tribute, and the Guardian Trust Endowment Fund and oversaw facility upgrades at DAR Constitution Hall, including a cooling tower and chilled water pumping/distribution system, as well as the installation of a solar energy array.[6] The renovations included over $4 Million in the historic preservation and restoration of Constitution Hall's 475-foot-long lobby, the President General's Reception Room, replacement of window sills in the Banquet Hall, exterior masonry work, carpet replacement,[9] and gutter repair.[6] She also oversaw technological advances including a new DAR website, installation of fiber optic cable to improve internet access and programming, new computers that doubled the capacity of the Seimes Technology Center, initiation of an electronic application, and upgrades in management software for the NSDAR Archives and Americana Collection.[6]

On April 1, 2015, Young met with Queen Elizabeth II during an event to launch a project to digitize the Royal Archives of King George III.[10]

U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission

Members of the Semiquincentennial Commission present then-Vice President Mike Pence with a copy of a Congressionally-required report on January 15, 2020, at the Vice President's Ceremonial Office in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. From left to right: David L. Cohen, Senator Pat Toomey, Rosa Gumataotao Rios, Frank Giordano, executive director of the commission, Vice President Mike Pence, Chairman Daniel DiLella, Lynn Forney Young, Cathy Gillespie, Congressman Robert Aderholt, and James L. Swanson.[11]

Young was appointed to the United States Semiquincentennial Commission in June 2016 by Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, as one of 16 private citizens appointed.[2] She will serve, in part, as a liaison between the more than 950,000 members of the Daughters of the American Revolution who are commemorating the U.S. Semiquincentennial through the DAR's pre-existing America 250! Committee. Young stated, “We look forward to celebrating our nation’s incredible history and fostering a renewed appreciation for all of the Americans who founded our nation and ensured its progress through the generations.”[12]

Personal life

Young lives on a cattle ranch in Milam County, near Austin, with her husband, Larry Steven Young.[2][4] They have two children and three grandchildren.

References

  1. ↑ "Lynn Forney Young: Ambassador for Democracy" (PDF). The Lamp of Delta Zeta: 19. Spring–Summer 2017.
  2. 1 2 3 "Lynn Forney Young: Presidential Sites Summit Speaker". White House Historical Association. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  3. ↑ "Who We Are: Private Citizen Members". America250.
  4. 1 2 "Lynn Forney Young (Mrs. Larry Steven Young)". The Hereditary Society Community of the United States of America.
  5. 1 2 3 "Lynn Forney Young, Honorary President General 2013-2016". Tejas Chapter, NSDAR Houston, Texas.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "The President General's Message". Daughters Newsletter. 16 (3). May–June 2016.
  7. ↑ "Honoring Our Heritage–Focusing on the Future–Celebrating America!". Daughters Newsletter. 13 (4): Cover. July–August 2013.
  8. ↑ "DAR Sets A Guinness World Record!". YouTube.
  9. ↑ Kumar, Aashirvad (April 3, 2023). "The Ultimate Guide to Carpet Replacement: Everything You Need to Know". Carpet Repair.
  10. ↑ Young, Lynn. "Celebrate 125! Monday: Royal Meetings". DAR Blog.
  11. ↑ "Vice President Pence Meets With Federal Commission to Advance Plans for Nationwide America 250 Celebration In 2026". Associated Press. January 17, 2020. Archived from the original on April 10, 2022. Retrieved July 26, 2022.
  12. ↑ "DAR Representative Appointed to Commission Overseeing the Nation's 250th Anniversary Celebration". DAR.org.
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