Catholic Daughters of the Americas

Catholic Daughters of the Americas

Crown and Cross emblem
Abbreviation	CDA
Formation	March 29, 1903; 121 years ago (1903-03-29)
Type	Catholic fraternal service
Headquarters	10 West 71st Street Manhattan, New York City
Worthy National Regent	Emily Guilherme
Website	www.catholicdaughters.org

Catholic Daughters of the Americas was founded in 1903, is one of the largest women's organizations in the Americas. Founded in Utica, New York, it has its headquarters in Manhattan, New York City.^[1][2][3]

History

The Catholic Daughters of the Americas were founded by members of the Utica, New York branch of the Knights of Columbus and intended to operate as the organizations female auxiliary. When the first set of officers were elected on June 18, 1903, most of the leadership was male, including Supreme Regent John Carberry. The National Secretary, National Treasurer and three of the six members of the Board of Directors were also men. Supreme Vice-Regent Mary McKernan was the highest ranking woman and she became the groups first female Supreme Regent after the death of Carberry in August 1906.^[4]

Originally, the National Order of the Daughters of Isabella, the organization was very active during World War I, volunteering as nurses and clerks, hosting parties for servicemen, conducting sewing and knitting classes for the Red Cross, donating clothing for the needy and working with the blind. In 1921 the name was changed to the Catholic Daughters of America — until 1954, when it became Catholic Daughters of the Americas — and in 1925 the Knights of Columbus severed ties with the organization. Under the direction of Mary Duffy from 1923 to 1950 the group expanded vigorously, reaching 170,000 members in 1928. During World War II the Daughters were again active with 8,314 members serving in the Red Cross, over 72,000 completing the Red Cross courses, 7,468 members gave blood donations and 50,000 members sewed and knitted a million articles of clothing. The national organization and the courts combined purchased $5.13 million worth of war bonds and sold $3 million more.^[5]

The CDA bought their first national headquarters from the Knights of Columbus, Utica Council #185 in Utica, New York borrowing $10,000 at 5 per cent interest to finance the purchase. In 1926 the headquarters was moved to its current location at 10 West 71 Street in New York City.^[6][7]

Organization

Local chapters of CDA are called "Courts." In March 2016 there were over 12,000 Courts in 43 US states, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Guam and the Virgin Islands. When there are five local Courts in a given state, a "State Court" is organized.^[8] The National Court is the governing body of the Order when assembled in its biennial convention. Between meetings of the National Court, the Order is run by the National Board, which includes five National Officers along with the Nine National Directors. This group meets semiannually, at a place and time determined by the National Regent.^[9]

Membership

The Order is open to any Catholic woman over 18.^[10] As stated, the Order reached 170,000 members in 1928. Membership reached 215,000 in the late 1960s, but declined to 174,103 by 1979. In the late 1980s it was down to 170,000 and stood at 160,000 in 1994^[11] In 2012 there were 75,000 members in some 1,250 courts (local chapters) in 45 states across the country, and in Puerto Rico, Mexico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands.^[12]

Junior Catholic Daughters of the Americas

This youth auxiliary was founded in 1925. its membership is divided into three age levels, Juniorettes (6-10), Juniors (11-14) and Teens (15-18). In 1979 there were approximately 250 local units with 5,000 members.^[13]

Causes

The Catholic Daughters support the Catholic Church, the clergy, and various educational and charitable causes. They have historically been interested in helping physically and mentally handicapped children, unwed mothers, the disenfranchised and the needy. They have also been known for their opposition to abortion and pornography.^[14]

See also

• Columbiettes
• Daughters of Isabella

Notes

1. Marthaler, B.L.; Mercury Publishing Services; Clement, C.D. (2003). Catholic Daughters of the Americas a Century in Review. Catholic Daughters of the Americas. ISBN 978-0-9729400-0-9. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
2. One Hundred Years of Sisterhood: Catholic Daughters of the Americas. Catholic Daughters of the Americas, Court St. Cecelia #362. 2019. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
3. Jet. Johnson Publishing Company. October 22, 1981. p. 24. ISSN 0021-5996. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
4. Alan Axelrod International Encyclopedia of Secret Societies and Fraternal Orders New York; Facts on File, inc 1997 p.46
5. Axelrod p.46
6. Axelrod p.46
7. "The History of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas". Archived from the original on May 22, 2013. Retrieved July 21, 2013.
8. Schmidt, Alvin J. Fraternal Organizations Westport, CT; Greenwood Press p.64 Schmidt cites the Summer 1978 issue of Share magazine as his source.
9. The Structure of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas
10. Schmidt p.64
11. The 1979 number is from Schmidt p.64, all other membership numbers from Axelrod p.46
12. "History". Archived from the original on May 22, 2013. Retrieved July 21, 2013.
13. Schmidt p.171
14. Axelrod p.46

Further reading

Archival collections

• Catholic Daughters of the Americas collection (Catholic University of America)
• Knights of Columbus and Catholic Daughters of America, Montclair, New Jersey Chapters (Monsignor Noe Field Archives & Special Collections Center, Seton Hall University)

External links

• Catholic Daughters of the Americas
• Diocese Story