NEW YORK — The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) received a coveted 2008 Bronze Anvil Award of Commendation from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) for superior performance in the design and execution of an individual public relations tactic within a broader public relations campaign. Winners of the award were recognized during the 2008 Silver Anvil Awards Evening held June 5 at the Equitable Tower in New York.

DAR received a 2008 Bronze Anvil Award of Commendation in the Publications category for its book American Treasure: The Enduring Spirit of the DAR. With the Daughters of the American Revolution’s ever-current goal of increasing both membership and public image, the DAR recognized that a sophisticated, appealing coffee table book offered the opportunity to provide a showcase for DAR grassroots volunteer work in communities across the country. The most important focus for the book was to show the relevance of today’s DAR in order to attract new members as well as dispel myths and encourage the general public to better appreciate the organization. American Treasure: The Enduring Spirit of the DAR beautifully illustrates the contemporary work of the DAR as well as the fascinating history of the organization.

“The Bronze Anvil Award of Commendation annually celebrates the growing scope, creativity and strategic importance of public relations tactics, and represents an extremely high level of tactical achievement in the public relations industry,” said Arthur Yann, 2008 Bronze Anvil Award committee chair. “The outstanding work done by the DAR Public Relations Department is a proud accomplishment that is truly deserving of this national recognition from its industry peers.”

The Bronze Anvil Award of Commendation was created by PRSA in 1969 to recognize outstanding public relations tactics — the individual items or components that contribute to the success of an overall program or campaign. Awards of Commendation are possible in 63 categories and subcategories, including Media Relations, Newsletters, Web Sites, Feature Stories, Press/ Media kits, Podcasts, Publications, Word-of-Mouth and Blogs.

Entries are judged by teams of PRSA members — and others who have specific category expertise — across the country. Up to two Bronze Anvil Awards of Commendation may be earned in each category or subcategory. No Award of Commendation is bestowed in those categories where the judges feel the entries do not rise to standards set forth for the award by PRSA.

American Treasure: The Enduring Spirit of the DAR, by Diana L. Bailey and published by Donning Company Publishers, is a stunning 9x12 hardbound book with over 400 beautiful contemporary and historic photos and 304 pages of vivid text. American Treasure is available for $50 (special DAR member price is $40). Books can be ordered online from The DAR Store at www.dar.org/darstore or by calling the store toll-free at 888-673-2732. For more information on American Treasure visit www.dar.org/americantreasure.

About the Daughters of the American Revolution

The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution was founded in 1890 to promote patriotism, preserve American history, and support better education for our nation's children.  Any woman 18 years or older, regardless of race, religion, or ethnic background, who can prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution is eligible for membership. With more than 165,000 members in approximately 3,000 chapters worldwide, DAR is one of the world's largest and most active service organizations. Encompassing an entire downtown city block, DAR National Headquarters houses one of the nation’s premier genealogical libraries, one of the foremost collections of pre-industrial American decorative arts, Washington, D.C.’s largest concert hall, and an extensive collection of early American manuscripts and imprints. To learn more about the work of today's DAR, visit www.dar.org.

About the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA)