American Spirit Magazine
Glimpse into the lives and passions of the diverse group of women who comprise today’s DAR membership.
Meet Our Members
Family Tradition
From member to leader to advocate, this Indiana Daughter has made a lifelong commitment to C.A.R.
By Lena Anthony
If you’re wondering how Vicki Voris feels about the National Society Children of the American Revolution, consider this: Even before her children were born, their membership paperwork was complete.
“All we needed was their birth certificates,” said Mrs. Voris, National Chair of the Continental Congress Committee and member of Eagle Creek DAR Chapter, Indianapolis, Indiana.
Since childhood, Mrs. Voris has been involved with the organization. First, it was as a member in Morven Society, Children of the American Revolution, in Princeton, New Jersey. Then came leadership roles as state president and national chair and various positions on the national board. She met her husband, Jeff, at a regional meeting for C.A.R., and they reconnected (and eventually married) years later.
Today, with a family of their own, C.A.R. remains an integral part of their lives. Mrs. Voris previously served as National Chair of the DAR Children of the American Revolution Committee. Her husband currently serves as Senior National President of C.A.R. And their children—Malorie, JT and Liam—have each served as president of their local Little Eagle Creek Society.
Malorie, a standout in speech and debate, now serves on the national level. JT was selected as one of only two students to represent his Indianapolis school before the school board, and Liam completed his own term as president while still in elementary school.
“It truly is a family tradition,” Mrs. Voris said. “I’m grateful for the role C.A.R. played in my life as a child, because it helped foster the dedicated DAR member I am today.”
She credits the C.A.R. with giving her a vital foundation in public speaking, community service, historic preservation and love of country—instilling values of patriotism, support for Veterans and civic responsibility that have shaped her active involvement in DAR and enabled her to pass those same skills and ideals on to her own children and the C.A.R. members she has mentored over the years.
“The C.A.R. provides young people with meaningful opportunities to develop public speaking skills, leadership skills and civic understanding,” she said. “These are best learned through participation and service, and C.A.R. gives youth the confidence and foundation to step into those roles. It has been especially rewarding to see my children and their friends benefit from the same experiences that shaped me as a young person and to watch those lessons take root in the next generation.”
Mrs. Voris’ C.A.R. experience has extended naturally into her professional life. She is vice president for customer success at a software company that provides solutions for local government. Her work includes public speaking, client training and problem-solving—skills she credits to her years as a C.A.R. member and later as a DAR Page at Continental Congress.
“Being able to problem-solve on your feet and serve others with a smile came directly from those earlier experiences,” she said.
For Mrs. Voris, C.A.R. is more than an organization. It’s a family bond. “C.A.R. offers families the opportunity to spend meaningful time together doing something they all enjoy,” she said. “With so many projects and activities, there are countless ways to live out the C.A.R. motto, ‘For God and My Country.’ It’s a wonderful way to combine family time with a shared love of country.”
When they’re not participating in C.A.R. activities, the Voris family enjoys traveling and hosting family game nights.
“Either for spring break or fall break, we always like to take the kids somewhere we’ve never been in our state,” she said. “I think it’s important to learn where you live and see all it has to offer.”
Favorite games include Rummikub, Euchre and, when someone is busy, Labyrinth. “It’s only a four-person game, and with all the activities the kids are involved in, we’re frequently short a family member.”