Darien Fifth Grader’s Essay Wins First Place in Both State and Northeast DAR Contests

Brady Eldredge, who last February won the fifth-grade essay contest organized by Darien’s Good Wife’s River Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution with his writing on the “Women’s Suffrage Campaign,” has won first place in the Connecticut DAR essay contest.

The Hindley School fifth grader also recently was named winner of the Northeast Division DAR fifth-grade essay contest. Brady is the son of James and Jennifer Eldredge of Darien.

Contributed photo

From left: At the Northeast Division CTDAR awards ceremony are Jay Eldredge, Brady’s father; Northeast Division winner Brady Eldredge; Brady’s grandfather, John Russo; Darien’s Good Wife’s River Chapter DAR Honorary Regent and CTDAR Treasurer Katherine Love.

— an announcement from the Good Wife’s River Chapter of the DAR

Thirty-six years ago, when Brady’s father, Jay Eldredge, was in fifth grade, he, too submitted an essay in the DAR contest and won honorable mention. Jay Eldredge was also a Hindley School student when he wrote that essay.

Brady read his award-winning essay and received his Award Certificate this past weekend from CTDAR American History Chairman, Katherine Bue-Hepner at the CTDAR Board of Management Meeting held at Matthies Hall, part of the historic Oliver Ellsworth Homestead in Windsor.

His family, CTDAR state officers and Good Wife’s River Chapter Honorary Regent and CTDAR Treasurer, Katherine Love attended. Sandi MacPherson is the local essay contest chairman.

Essay winner Brady Eldredge with his father and grandfather.

The 19th Amendment to the U. S. Constitution was approved by the United States Congress in 1919 and adopted in 1920. This amendment granted American women the right to vote and hold elected office.

Children were asked to discuss the impact of the amendment on America both socially and politically.

Brady’s essay won out over the best fifth grade state essays in the entire Northeastern Division which includes the seven states of Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, New Hampshire, Connecticut, and Vermont. His Essay is now entered into the National DAR competition.

Good Wife’s River Chapter members congratulate Brady on his superior writing skills and are proud of his accomplishments. Membership in the DAR is open to any woman over the age of 18 who can trace her direct lineage to a male or female Patriot whose last act was to serve the cause of American independence during the Revolutionary War.