First California Company Governor Ginny Gotlieb presided as we hosted our first western regional Society meeting for 67 guests on Sunday, March 2, in Los Angeles. Three companies were represented, including First Deputy Governor Leslie Steuben of Northern California and Patricia Dell’Aria, Governor of First Nevada/Arizona and Martha Gordon, its Founding Governor. In addition, officers and members of eleven other heritage societies attended.
The meeting’s theme was an early commemoration of the 400th wedding anniversary of Pocahontas and John Rolfe that will be celebrated at Historic Jamestown on April 5. Our speaker, Karenne Wood, an enrolled member of the Monacan Indian Nation and Director of Virginia Indian Programs at the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities, discussed Pocahontas and Women’s Roles in Virginian Indian History, including a review of romanticized Pocahontas mythology and women’s unrecognized important status, role and cultural functions among American Indian tribes and nations.
Five Pocahontas descendants who were present were recognized. Treasurer Harry Holgate delivered a nuptial toast, and wedding cake was served as dessert for the luncheon.
Here are the first photos of our event. Please watch this page for more photos and details and information in the near future.