Welcome ladies! I am so pleased that you are reading about us on the New York State DBE website. 

I am very proud to be a member of DBE in New York, as this is where DBE started in 1909, and through our long history, the ladies of New York have shown the way in charitable giving.  The founders opened a retirement home that evolved into a nursing home and relocated to Westchester County, NY. The DBE National Organization opened three more homes, one in each of our geographic areas which are the focus of our 501(C)(3) charitable giving.

Now we are undergoing a  major change in the Eastern District (which includes members in the States of Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia) as we have had to close the Victoria Home and start a new charity Victoria Home Cares. This will be our main charity, a 501(c)(3) organization, a grant-making entity enabling seniors to remain in their own homes. 

We have added a new dimension to our charitable giving – a scholarship fund – which will award a worthy female student $1,000 in the Eastern District. 

“Not Ourselves But The Cause” is our motto that we strive to follow through our daily lives, remembering that the more we give, the more we receive.

The wonderful ladies of New York--members in our five chapters--meet regularly; recently virtually, to carry on their connection, friendship, support, and fundraising activities, often including a cup of tea!  We also conduct State-wide fundraising events and host an annual luncheon.  The chapters invite all State members to many of their local fundraisers.

I am a fairly recent member of DBE New York, having moved to New York City in 1998, joining DBE in 2012.  I was born in England and lived in London until I emigrated to the USA in 1967; I was then an occupational therapist and came to Boston to work in a mental hospital. Several careers later I moved to the city to continue my work as a theatrical props master, working on many Broadway and Off-Broadway shows.

Please join us–-the ladies of New York will be delighted to welcome you.

Sincerely,

Tessa Dunning
NY State President