Gold Star Mothers Scrapbooks, 1946-1966

The American Gold Star Mothers was founded in 1928 by Grace Darling Seibold, mother of deceased soldier George Vaughn, and later incorporated on January 5, 1929. George was deployed to England and served in the British Royal Flying Corps in France, 148th Aero Squadron. He died in August 1918, but his family was not notified until that October.

Grace decided to devote her time and effort to visiting and comforting mothers who lost their sons to war. During World War I, women flew flags with a blue star in the middle for each family member serving overseas. If a relative died, a gold star was sewn on top of the blue one. Families also hung a gold star in their windows to honor their fallen sons, hence the name of the organization.

The Charlotte Chapter of the Gold Star Mothers was voted into existence on March 17, 1948 through the efforts of Mrs. Peter F. Burns, Mrs. LG Brewer, and Mrs. Almetta McClain. The group met at Efird’s Dining Room. The organization determined the rules and regulations of membership and operation, but the official charter was not obtained until February 28, 1948.

The chapter constructed and dedicated a monument for the Gold Star Mothers organization at the entrance to Evergreen Cemetery on Albemarle Highway. The total cost was approximately $12,000 and was built by the Scoggins Art Shop. The entire monument was paid for by generous donations from the community who wanted to award special honor to those who sacrificed their lives for the country. The roster of men who died are inscribed on the monument to honor them and their families.

As with the American War Mothers, the Gold Star Mothers’ membership was initially limited, but was later amended to include all American conflicts, and all mothers of children killed during these conflicts.