Dakota States Society

Green outer band with yellow text and a yellow center with green text and a thin yellow line around the outer rim

According to the organization’s website, the South Dakota State Society (SDSS) is a 501(c)4 non-profit organization “designed to provide a social and professional network for South Dakotans, their friends and families living, working and attending school in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.” The SDSS was created in 1954 for both native and adopted South Dakotans in the greater Washington metropolitan area to “share their common bond” and the “spirit” of the state of South Dakota. Many members sported membership buttons such as this one housed at the Button Museum. The SDSS became inactive in 1982 but then saw a revival in 2008. The group hosts an annual “Midwest Inaugural Gala” in January of each year at the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington, DC. The SDSS hosts this gala alongside the State Society of Iowa.