Our Mission

The Daughters of the Cincinnati is a not-for-profit society founded in 1894 by women descended from commissioned officers who served under George Washington in the American Revolution’s Continental Armed Forces or in the French Royal Forces. To honor their ancestors’ service and sacrifice, the Society awards academic scholarships to daughters of career commissioned officers in the United States Armed Forces and supports the preservation of American Revolutionary War history through education and patriotic service.

The Origin of the Society of the Cincinnati

George Washington was the first president of the Society of the Cincinnati, founded in 1783. Its name was derived from that of the Roman general, Lucius Quintus Cincinnatus, who was called from his farm in 458 B.C. and again in 439 B.C. to assume the dictatorship of Rome and the command of its army. After victory was won and the safety of Rome assured, he returned to his plow.

Original members of the Society of the Cincinnati were American officers of the Continental Army, Navy and Marines, and French officers of the French Royal Army and Navy who had served three years, died in service, or until the end of the Revolution. They banded together to continue friendships made during the war, to aid the more unfortunate among them, and to assist the families of fallen comrades. Each member contributed one month’s pay towards these purposes.

Daughters of the Cincinnati Academic Scholarships

In 1894, the group of women who founded our society aimed “to advance and encourage investigation and study of the history of the Revolution…and to instill into the minds of the rising generations, a knowledge of, and reverence for, the inspired wisdom…and unswerving determination which successfully carried on the struggle for Liberty.” 

Established in 1906, our fund proudly offers scholarships for military children, originally created to support dependents of United States Army and Navy officers pursuing higher education.

Today, our mission continues to evolve while staying true to its roots. Our program provides merit and need based financial aid to women pursuing undergraduate degrees at accredited four-year colleges and universities across the United States. Supporting scholars across every field of study–from STEM and business to the arts and humanities–we empower the next generation of female leaders.

Explore eligibility requirements and application deadlines for our Military Stars Scholarship.

2026 Officers
of the Society

President: Mrs. Robert I. Ducas

Vice President: Mrs. Porter F. Fleming

Secretary: Mrs. Ernest E. Hunt IV

Treasurer: Mrs. Andrew D. Slater

Registrar: Mrs. Mark Mascheroni

Scholarship: Mrs. Jose Ramon Gonzalez

Historian: Mrs. Zlatko Paunov