Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians in America
A Sisterhood of Irish and Irish-American, Catholic Women, Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians is a National organization originally called "Daughters of Erin". It is felt that the Ancient Order of Hibernians had always had women as a support group, but due to the "Secret" societal aspect of the Order, the men chose not to acknowledge the women. However, being of the "Matriarchal" heritage that is ours, the women sought their own identity and finally at the National Convention in Omaha, Nebraska in May 1894 the men relented and allowed the formation of the "Daughters of Erin." In 1906, the name was changed to "Ladies Auxiliary to the Ancient Order of Hibernians in America". On October 19th, 1985 a new constitution was written and signed. The word "Auxiliary" was deleted and the organization assumed its new name, Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians.
The LAOH has changed in many ways over the decades but still we hold true to our MOTTO of "Friendship, Unity and Christian Charity. We are pledged to God and Country. The primary purpose of the LAOH was to protect young immigrant Irish girls coming to the United States, to assist them in securing employment, to give them the opportunity to be with their own kind, and to keep them from becoming homesick and discouraged.
The Preamble of our Constitution states that the intent and purpose of the Ladies is to promote Friendship, Unity and Christian Charity; to foster and sustain loyalty to the Roman Catholic Church and to foster and sustain loyalty to the United States of America among its members; to aid and advance by all legitimate means the aspiration and endeavors of the Irish people for complete and absolute independence and to foster the ideals and perpetuate the history and traditions of the Irish people and to promote Irish culture.
The LAOH has changed in many ways over the decades but still we hold true to our MOTTO of "Friendship, Unity and Christian Charity. We are pledged to God and Country. The primary purpose of the LAOH was to protect young immigrant Irish girls coming to the United States, to assist them in securing employment, to give them the opportunity to be with their own kind, and to keep them from becoming homesick and discouraged.
The Preamble of our Constitution states that the intent and purpose of the Ladies is to promote Friendship, Unity and Christian Charity; to foster and sustain loyalty to the Roman Catholic Church and to foster and sustain loyalty to the United States of America among its members; to aid and advance by all legitimate means the aspiration and endeavors of the Irish people for complete and absolute independence and to foster the ideals and perpetuate the history and traditions of the Irish people and to promote Irish culture.