About Us
The Mayflower Pilgrims
In 1620, a brave group of 102 men, women and children sailed across the Atlantic on the Mayflower, searching for a life of religious and civil freedom.
These Pilgrims landed in Plymouth harbor, establishing the first permanent European settlement in New England. Only half survived that first difficult winter. Now, nearly 400 years later, from those few survivors, there are now millions of Pilgrim descendants.
In addition to bringing their values and spirit of adventure with them to the New World, the Pilgrims created a heritage of liberty and law by drafting a document of self-government, the Mayflower Compact, which they signed onboard the Mayflower at Provincetown. The Mayflower Compact is considered by many to be a forerunner to the Constitution.
The General Society of Mayflower Descendants
To honor Pilgrim ancestors and to keep their story alive, the General Society of Mayflower Descendants was created in 1897. It is the Society’s goal to join together people who share this heritage and to carry on the memory of our Pilgrim ancestors. Mayflower Society memberships are granted through 54 societies representing all 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, Canada, Europe and Australia.
The Nebraska Society of Mayflower Descendants
The Nebraska Society of Mayflower Descendants was organized May 19, 1923, under authority of a Charter granted by the General Society of Mayflower Descendants dated December 16, 1922 and now has more than 230 members living in Nebraska, across the country and around the world.
2025 Officers
Governor: Kathryn Morrissey, Omaha
Deputy Governor: Cheryl Clark, Elwood
Secretary: Cindy Rademacher, Kearney
Treasurer: Robert Harvey, Omaha
Historian: Marty Beerman, Omaha
Elder: Ann Reinert, Lincoln
Counselor: Rob Laughlin, Omaha
Captain: Steve Hunt, LaVista
Surgeon: Audrey Paulman, M.D., Omaha
2025 Board of Assistants
John Reinert (2025), Lincoln
Jesse Harding (2025), Omaha
Susan Rice (2026), Nehawka
Judy Ekeler (2026), Fremont
Stephanie Donsig (2027), Lincoln
Judy Moore (2027), Syracuse
Verla Ringenberg (2027), Lincoln
Marty Beerman (Past Governor), Omaha
Chairs
Education: Kathryn Morrissey, Omaha
Junior Members: Vacant
Public Relations: Tom Masters, Lincoln
Membership: Marty Beerman, Omaha
Pilgrim News Editor: Stephanie Donsig, Lincoln
Scholarship: Fawn Horner, Plattsmouth
Scholarship Auction: Cheryl Clark, Elwood
General Society Officers
Deputy Governor General: Gretchen Harvey, Omaha
Assistant General: Kathryn Morrissey, Omaha
Membership Roster
Click here to see a roster of members. Current as of February 29, 2024.
Nebraska Society Constitution
Nebraska Society By-laws
Nebraska Society Governors 1923-Present
Thirty-one governors have led the Nebraska Society since its first members joined in 1923. See the list here.