Native Daughters of the Goleta West Seeking More Members with Policy Change

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) - The organization that picks the annual Saint Barbara for Old Spanish Days has historically been women who were born in California.  

Now the Native Daughters of the Golden West (NDGW) has made a policy change –allowing women who simply reside in California.

The organization has been working to increase its membership which has been declining.

The NDGW celebrated in July with a special ceremony at Casa De La Guerra in downtown Santa Barbara. The ceremony featured the members who have served as St. Barbara and other members of the group from Reina del Mar Parlor 126.

The local chapter was founded on April 20, 1901.

At a special tea, the 125 year of the local parlor was given a special resolution from Mayor Randy Rowse.

There were also dances from the Spirit and Junior Spirit of Fiesta and a performance from a group of three sopranos.

In a related action the Native Sons of the Golden West have previously allowed members who moved to California along with those who were born in the state.

(More details, photos and video will be added here later today.)

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