Rhody 250 Behind the Lines: Unsung Women of the American Revolution

When we explore history, the focus tends to stay on those who fought, led, and signed treaties. Rarely does it shift to the scaffolding that made those moments possible - the sustainers who kept communities alive, and the organizers who quietly resisted. The women whose labor and intelligence shaped the American Revolution from behind the lines. Those women are the subject of Behind the Lines: Unsung Women of the American Revolution, a three-day conference taking place March 13-15 at Portsmouth Friends Church, a 300-year-old property. 

“Women kept the home fires burning,” said Dakota Griffin, national board secretary of the Brigade of the American Revolution, the organization responsible for the conference. “We feel it’s important to let those women shine and show participants that we were much more egalitarian in the 18th century than people think.”

The Brigade of the American Revolution started as a military reenactment group dedicated to educating the public on the Revolutionary War and the Colonial period. Over time, it expanded its mission and now provides education, research grants, and, most recently, scholarly conferences. “We’re an umbrella organization that provides research materials to 98 international groups that run living-history programs, historical interpretation, and reenactment events,” explained Niel DeMarino, board member at large. 

Next month’s March conference is the result of a love story that sparked in one of these groups. Debra and Roy Najecki were dedicated members who met in the brigade and later married. Debra was a passionate advocate for women, always championing their roles in history. When she passed away in 2017, Roy established the Debra Najecki Endowment, which funds the organization’s scholarly conferences. “It’s due to Roy’s love for his wife that we are able to organize this conference,” said Griffin.

Conference participants are invited to a cocktail reception on Friday night, where they can take in a performance by two historical reenactors: Sandy Spector, who impersonates Martha Washington, and Michele Gabrielson, who impersonates activist Mercy Otis Warren. They will be performing “Affectionate Friends and Humble Servants,” a staged conversation that explores their friendship and contributions to the revolutionary era. Following the performance, the two women will interact with guests in character. “I love giving people a new access to history,” said Spector. And as for what drew her to portraying Martha? “Martha chose me,” she said. “We are similar in appearance and character. She had a lot thrown at her in life, but she always put duty first, and she and George Washington were true partners.”   

After the Friday night performance and cocktail reception, participants will be treated to two days of informative talks by historical scholars who will examine women’s roles as political thinkers, spies, and social reformers. “We have a diverse and fun array of presenters scheduled,” said Griffin. “Their goal is to accurately present history and let the listeners draw their own modern conclusions. History doesn’t necessarily repeat, but it does rhyme.”

As the country celebrates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the Brigade of the American Revolution is planning several years of educational programming, and this conference is part of the organization’s effort to sustain public interest in those who made independence possible. “People forget that the Declaration meant nothing unless we could defend it. And it took eight more years before we could,” Griffin said. “We want people to stay excited because this is just the beginning.”

Behind the Lines: Unsung Women of the American Revolution

March 13-15, 2026

Portsmouth Friends Church, Portsmouth

Learn more and register at Brigade.org