From left are Linda Kuzara, Secretary, NYS Society Colonial Dames XVII Century; Bonnie Larkin, Treasurer NYS Society Colonial Dames XVII Century; Barbara Pietro, President Alice Putnam Chapter Colonial Dames XVII Century, Buffalo; Brenda Johnson, President NYS Society Colonial Dames XVII Century and member of the Colonial Dames XVII Century National Society’s Board of Management; Deborah Ayers, Outgoing President NYS Society Colonial Dames XVII Century; Deborah Stauring, Vice President of the Alice Putnam Chapter Colonial Dames XVII Century, Buffalo.

Four Chautauqua County residents will lead the New York Society Colonial Dames XVII Century. They are all members of the Alice Putnam Chapter, Buffalo.

Brenda Sue Prosser Johnson of Jamestown was installed as President of the New York Society at the CDXVIIC National Conference Saturday, April 12 in Washington, D.C. The 101st national conference was held at the Washington Marriott, Georgetown.

The installation ceremony was conducted by Yvonne Yerian Hiteshue, National President General. Outgoing NY state president, Deborah Ayers of Warsaw performed the ceremonial sashing. Johnson will serve a two-year term, 2025-2027. She has oversight of the New York society CDXVIIC Board of Management (BOM) and is a member of the National Society’s Board of Management.

Johnson said, “It’s truly an honor to represent the organization for New York and very special to have several other state officers and BOM members from my local chapter.”

Chautauqua County residents joining her in New York Society CDXVIIC leadership positions are: Linda Kuzara, state secretary and Bonnie Larkin, state treasurer. Barb Pietro is president of the Alice Putnam Chapter, Buffalo. Larkin resides in Sinclairville. Kuzara and Pietro are Dunkirk residents. Mary O’Shei of Cheektowaga, will also join Johnson’s administration as state registrar. She is registrar for the Alice Putnam Chapter. All four are members of the New York State Society Board of Management.

The National Society Colonial Dames 17th Century was founded in 1915 and is devoted to preserving the memory of those that settled in the United States of America prior to 1701. It is one of the few societies of today which has heraldry at the core of its objectives and additionally holds one of the largest collections of Coats of Arms in the country.

If you are interested in learning more about CDXVIIC membership, visit www.colonialdames17c.org.