The New York Chapter of The Society of Mayflower Descendants publishes a biannual newsletter in the summer and winter. The booklet features news from the administration (such as society events, educational programming, leadership profiles, volunteering opportunities, and more) and is mailed to all New York members as part of their membership.
Below, read Governor Abelow’s latest message and past NY Mayflower Newsletters.
A Message from the Governor, as featured in the Winter 2026 issue.
This is the last newsletter that will be published during my term as Governor, and therefore a logical occasion to reflect upon the state of the Society.
Our Society is in good health: its finances are strong; it is ably helmed by an immensely talented Executive Director; it is supported by a veritable army of energetic volunteers; and participation at our big tentpole events is up across the board. Substantial improvements to our “back office” systems have improved both how we can marshal and report data and how we can communicate with our members.
This, in turn, is enabling a number of changes, both small and large. As one small example, our Albany Colony now uses our centralized system to allow electronic payment, so that members no longer need to write and mail checks. As another example, a committed team of volunteers is now mapping our youngest junior members against their addresses, which will assist in preparing both virtual and in-person programming for our rising generation. Our new systems also helped simplify the process for preparing the 2025-6 edition of our membership directory, which you should see shortly and which we hope will facilitate social interaction among the membership.
I am heartened by the strength of those interactions. There were, for example, many things to be proud of at this year’s Annual Mayflower Ball, and we owe a large debt of thanks to all of those who made it possible. But one of the things that most struck me was that not only did we host five remarkable young woman who made their debut before our Society, but also no fewer than seven former debutantes returned to join in the celebrations. Inside of our series of interlocking cousinages, it seems, there is a sort of sisterhood, and it was a great pleasure to see them join in to support each other.
And all of these signs of vitality and resilience are important, as the mission of our Society is more crucial than ever. In a society which sometimes seems fragmented and frayed, remembering the common narratives that bind us together, and the ancestral virtues that make us what we are, is not a luxury. It is a necessity.
As you all know by now, this year marks our Republic’s 250th anniversary. I, for one, plan to celebrate this milestone with gusto. But before there could be a nation, there was a society, a culture, a civilization. And that civilization was deeply informed by what the Pilgrims carried here across the waves, not in the cramped hold of the trusty Mayflower, but in their hearts and souls: courage and resilience, resourcefulness and enterprise, tolerance and faith. That is something to celebrate.
In the meantime, a happy New Year to all.
Sincerely,
Justin D. Abelow
Read our past newsletters!