WASHINGTON—Today, Lea Patterson, senior litigation counsel with The Heritage Foundation's Legal Action Center, released the following statement after a Texas judge granted a temporary restraining order to protect a chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution from dissolution by national leadership:

“The court's order is an important victory for the Martha Laird Chapter and the women who stood up for the principle that a women’s organization should be for women. National DAR leadership tried to silence these women by disbanding their 84-year-old chapter. We are grateful the court has stepped in to protect the chapter while this fight continues. 

DAR headquarters tried to punish its members for speaking out, shut down legitimate debate, and strip a chapter of its assets without a fair process. These women followed DAR’s own procedures to advocate for change. They deserve to be heard, not punished for standing up for their convictions.

The Heritage Foundation’s Legal Action Center will continue fighting to protect the Martha Laird Chapter, defend these women’s rights, and ensure that woke gender ideology does not override fairness, accountability, and the rule of law.”

The Heritage Foundation’s Legal Action Center advocates for liberty through public-interest litigation.