A Sisterhood of Irish and Irish-American, Catholic Women, The Ladies
Ancient Order of Hibernians is a National organization officially recognized
in Omaha, Nebraska in 1894 as the "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". In 1984,
the Ladies voted to change their name to "The Ladies Ancient Order of
Hibernians." In 2004 we were officially incorporated on our own as
"Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians, Inc."
The Ladies AOH 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 Ladies AOH 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 among its
members; assisting the people of Ireland to establish an Irish Republic
which shall include the 32 counties of Ireland, aiding the aged, sick, blind
and infirm members and for the legitimate expense of the Ladies, including
Missions work and Catholic Action. The Ladies also foster the ideals and
perpetuate the history and traditions of the Irish people and promote Irish
culture. Our Patron Saint is Saint Brigid of Ireland.
We welcome all women who are practicing Roman Catholics, and who are
Irish by birth or descent, or who are the wife of a member of the Ancient
Order of Hibernians, or the mother of a Junior member.