Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians forms state board

The Ladies of the Ancient Order of Hibernians now have two divisions in Delaware. The St. Brigid’s Division in New Castle County was established with Estelle Carrigan serving as founding president, and the Celtic Cross Division in Sussex County was established with Denise Boswell serving as founding president. The LAOH National Constitution requires that once two divisions are formed in a state, a state board must be installed. The newly formed State Board was installed July 16 in Dover by Margaret McAlpin, president of the New Castle St. Brigid’s Division.

A sisterhood of Irish and Irish-American Catholic women, The Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians is a national organization officially recognized in Omaha, Neb., in 1894 as the Daughters of Erin. In 2004, the organization was officially incorporated as Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians Inc. The Ladies AOH has changed in many ways over the decades, but members still hold true to the motto of Friendship, Unity and Christian Charity. They 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 the order’s constitution states that the intent and purpose of the ladies is to promote Friendship, Unity and Christian Charity among its members; assist the people of Ireland to establish an Irish Republic which shall include the 32 counties of Ireland; aid the aged, sick, blind and infirm members; and for the legitimate expense of the ladies, including mission work and Catholic action.

The ladies also foster the ideals and perpetuate the history and traditions of the Irish people and promote Irish culture. Their patron saint is Saint Brigid of Ireland.

For more information about the LOAH, go to www.ladiesaoh.com.