Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, January 9, 1992 TAG: 9201100213
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: LYNN A. COYLE
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
DAR MEDAL WINNER PUTS COUNTRY, COMMUNITY FIRST
Since the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution established its Americanism Medal in 1958, the prize has been awarded nine times by the General James Breckinridge Chapter in Roanoke.Marilyn Ranada Donato is the chapter's most recent recipient of the award, given to a naturalized citizen for outstanding service to the community and country.
To be considered for the award, a person must have helped other aliens become American citizens; made unusual contributions to the community and country; and showed outstanding qualities of trustworthiness, leadership, patriotism and service, said Louise Strickler, chairman of the chapter's Americanism and DAR Manual for Citizenship Committee. Nominations must be approved by the society's state and national chairmen.
Donato, a registered dietician, is a Philippines native who came to the United States in 1962 to do postgraduate study. In 1964 she married Dr. Antonio Donato, also a Philippines native. They moved to Roanoke in 1972 and have six children, ages 16 to 26.
Donato is a consultant at several Roanoke-area nursing homes and volunteers her time at the Bradley Free Clinic and the City Nursing Home at Coyner Springs.
She has been president of The Roanoke Valley YWCA, Roanoke Symphony Orchestra and Catholic Family and Children's Services of Virginia.
At St. Andrew's Catholic Church, Donato is on the Parish Board Council, a Sunday school teacher and eucharistic minister. A right-to-life advocate, she was a founder of Birthright of Roanoke and The Virginia Society for Human Life.
Donato's cookbook, "Philippine Cooking in America," is in its sixth printing. It features favorite Philippine recipes adjusted to America. She also is food editor for several Philippine-American newspapers.
Strickler said other people were considered for the award, but the committee chose Donato because, "She's contributed so much to our country and our community. Others had done some things but not as much to help other naturalized citizens. That's a big requirement.
"I think that cookbook she published impressed us a great deal," Strickler added. "She was on the Bicentennial Committee. She's a consultant to some of the nursing homes. She just really stood out."
Since the award is a secret to the recipient, Donato was lured to the Jan. 3 luncheon presentation on the ruse of hearing her husband speak.
"I was dumbfounded," Donato, 51, said after receiving the award. "I thought they made a mistake because my husband said he was going to talk to the DAR. I thought they made a mistake and put the `Mrs.' "
Donato was surprised the secret was so well kept. Even though the DAR committee had been talking to people since March, gathering background information and recommendations, nobody spilled the beans, she said.
"I really didn't realize that they did all this research," Donato said. "They even had things that were in the newspaper that I didn't know about or forgot about. I really felt like they were doing something like the CIA or the KGB."
The eight previous recipients of the Americanism Medal from the General James Breckinridge Chapter were: Henriette Falwell, Werner Sensback, Steve Brody, Herta Frietag, Ted Powers, June Dodson, Lelia Stott and Mary Kegley.
Memo: CORRECTION