History of the DBE

Daughters of the British Empire, Our Story.

The Daughters of the British Empire (DBE) is a charitable, non-profit, non-political, non-sectarian, voluntary American society of women of British or Commonwealth birth, ancestry, naturalization, or marriage. Its members are professionals, businesswomen, and homemakers with common interests and heritage, who meet regularly for business and other events with the common cause of philanthropy. The society was founded in the United States on March 15, 1909, as the Imperial Order, Daughters of the Empire in the U.S.A., and became the National Society of Daughters of the British Empire in the U.S.A. in 1920. The National Society is incorporated in the State of Delaware. 

The Society is affiliated with the Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire in Canada(I.O.D.E.); the Victoria Leaguein London, England; and the General Federation of Women’s Clubs in the United States. 

The Honorary President of the DBE is  the British  Ambassador to the U.S. or the Ambassador's wife.

For over 100 years, The Daughters of the British Empire in the U.S.A. has been a common bond for women of British heritage living in America. Members, joining together in fellowship, contribute significantly to the good of their local communities and support the four retirement homes for men and women established by the DBE. The States of the Western District are proud to support The British Home In California, LTD. in Sierra Madre, CA.