GCB
DCB
What is a damehood?
A Damehood is one of the UK’s highest national honours given to women. There are different Orders of Chivalry which include Damehood. All recipients are given the title Dame.
Orders of Chivalry within the UK Honours System where Damehoods are awarded include:
The Honour System is explained more fully here.
GCMG
DCMG
GCVO
DCVO
GBE
DBE
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the Ministry of Defence (MOD) are also authorised to nominate Dames.
who we are
We are a registered UK charity with a Board of Trustees comprising voluntary representatives from across the professional fields recognised by Damehoods.
The Board provides leadership, direction and oversight, providing stewardship of the society for the long term, and acting as caretakers for all Dames.
The Board is chaired by Dame Tristia Harrison, with three Vice-Chairs, Dame Jackie Daniel, Professor Dame Sue Hill and Dame Fiona Kendrick.
Trustees: Dame Clare Barclay, Professor Dame Jane Dacre, Professor Dame Anne Dominiczak, Dame Judith Hackett, Dame Mary Marsh, Dame Kathryn McDowell, Rt Hon Dame Maria Miller, Professor Dame Judith Petts, Professor Dame Robina Shah, Dame Dr Helen Stephenson, The Baroness Grey-Thompson, Sara Siegel (Advisor)
Three oversight committees have been established: governance, finance and membership management, member engagement, events and marketing, and societal impacts are grants.
what we do
The Dames Commander Society brings Dames together to champion causes identified by our members. We understand the power of networks and what can be achieved when people work together – we know how to get things done.
Supporting change
Supporting initiatives that align with our purpose. Offering connections, experience and influence behind the scenes.
Progressing change
Promoting initiatives. Working side-by-side to move things on – leveraging our connections and expertise.
Initiating change
Leading on underserved issues where need is great. Getting things started – drawing people in and pulling them along.
Great work is already happening to tackle society’s most urgent challenges. We see our job as helping where we can.
Sometimes we work quietly behind the scenes, sometimes we lend our voices, and sometimes we lead from the front.
Always with openness, generosity and determination – working to remove obstacles and bring about meaningful change.
Members by sector
Our members are experts in fields such as business, science and technology, education, sports, culture and the arts, health and social care, the armed forces, law and order, politics, charity and NGOs.
History of the dames commander society
After the COVID 19 pandemic several Dames from the health sector explored how they could come together to use their Damehood for greater societal impact to do good for society.
In late 2022 this resulted in a formal invitation to all Dames to come together in the interest of social progress.
There was a realisation that when powerful women join forces, impact is substantial.
Throughout 2023 a small team held webinars, workshops and events. With pro-bono admin and consultancy support from Deloitte, we began to grow and put structure to the society.
By early 2024 nearly 200 Dames had joined. We registered as a Community Interest Company. During 2024 we completed a strategic review and created an interim board of volunteers comprising representatives from across the professional fields recognised by Damehoods.
In 2026, we were awarded charitable status.
Timeline
1381
Origins
The Order of the Ermine, founded in France by John V, Duke of Brittany, in 1381, was the first order of chivalry to accept women. However, female knights had existed for centuries in many places in the world prior to this. Like their male counterparts, they generally bore a coat of arms.
1412
Perhaps the most famous female knight.
Joan of Arc
Princess Gwenllian ferch Gruffydd
Some female knights wore armour, others commanded troops, and some were members of an official order of chivalry. But this did not mean they were officially knighted the way men were.
1908
The ISKB
The Imperial Society of Knights Bachelor (ISKB) was founded in 1908 – granted the title Imperial by His Majesty King George V – to act as the Registry for Knights Bachelor and to uphold the dignity of the designation.
1917–1971
In 1917, the title of Dame, as the official equivalent of Knight, was introduced with the Order of the British Empire.
Modern
Damehood
It was subsequently extended to the Royal Victorian Order in 1936, the Order of St Michael and St George in 1965, and finally the Order of the Bath in 1971.
Today
The DCS has made considerable efforts to bring together a list of all living Dames. We estimate that there are 660 living Dames.
Get involved
Join us
Membership is open to all awarded a Damehood.
Work with us
We build relationships with organisations and causes where we can make a difference. Register your interest in partnering with us.
Support us
Organisations that share our goals can support our work with services, spaces or donations.
Our supporters
