Honoring the Early Leaders of the Ancient Order of Hibernians PART II
To Read Part I about the Early Leaders: https://iirish.us/2026/08/14/madigan-muses-11/
Part II:
Ellen Ryan Jolly was a woman who spoke her mind and was dedicated to her Irish heritage. After Easter Week, Jolly spoke at rallies to support the men and women who participated in the Rising. She was the only woman speaking at the rallies. In her addresses, she pledged the support of the Ladies Auxiliary, stating, “we must stand shoulder to shoulder for dear old Ireland.”
The National Convention was held in Boston in 1916. Ever the historian, President Ellen Ryan Jolly was aware of the importance of historic items being displayed at the 1916 Convention. She arranged for the O’Donovan Rossa flag and the replica of Robert Emmet’s death mask to be at the Convention.
In August 1915, Padraic Pearse presented the flag of the Irish Republic to the O’Donovan Rossa family. This flag flew over the 1916 Convention. Jolly stated in the Pawtucket Times July 6,1916, “With such relics before our eyes can our convention fall of ultimate success. The sight of Robert Emmet’s heroic features and the folds of the sacred flag that enshrouded a Fenian form and that emanated from the wealth of affection borne to O’Donovan Rossa by our latest Irish martyrs will thrill and urge us on to great and high resolve to assist in making Ireland a nation once again”
She was invited to address the American Irish Historical Society on the Irish element which highlighted the Irish contributions to America. In concluding that address, she stated, “I will close by expressing the wish of every true Irish Heart – God Save Ireland and God Bless the United States.”
Jolly had a true Irish Heart and in her letter in the May 1915 edition of the National Hibernian, she writes, “the dreams of the Hibernians of early days may be realized. They dreamed and hoped for an independent Ireland. We shall never hope for less. By Unity, Friendship and Christian Charity we may win that which to the faint hearted may seem impossible, the privilege of celebrating and very soon a St. Patrick’s Day upon the holy soil of an independent Ireland.”
Ellen Ryan Jolly was dedicated to promoting Irish and Irish American history. She served as the first Chair of Irish History from 1908-1912.She was elected National President in 1912 and served for four years, including the period of the Easter Rising in 1916. During her term, the Irish History Contest Text Missing
The Decade from 1910-1920 was a very troubling time for the world. The Easter Rising, World War I and the movement to obtain the votes for women dominated the news. Our order was blessed with wonderful leadership during this period: Ellen Ryan Jolly of Rhode Island (1912-1916), Mary McWhorter of Illinois (1916-1921) and Adelia Christy of Ohio (1921-1925). All of these women were very proud of their Irish and Irish American History.
Jolly, McWhorter and Christy were very committed to the establishment of an Irish Republic. On December 12, 1918, as Past President of the Ladies Auxiliary, along with the President of the AOH, President Mary McWhorter, and future President Adelia Christy, they addressed the Hearing of the Committee on Foreign Affairs on the Irish Question.
Many Irish Representatives spoke before the Congressional Committee to encourage the passing of a Resolution 357 to present the Right of Ireland to freedom, independence and self-determination at the International Peace Conference. Only five women were invited to address the Congressional Committee. Of those five, three were leaders in the LAOH.
Women did not even have the right to vote, yet but members of our order were addressing a congressional committee. Here are quotes from these leaders addressing the Congressional Committee on the Irish Question: Past President Ellen Ryan Jolly: “We are here in liberty’s name. We are here to ask the Congress of the United States to pass a Resolution whose purpose is to permit Ireland, the oldest of the nations, to light the torch of Irish National Independence. For 700 years the Irish people have been subjected to grievous wrongs, but now we may entertain the hope that the day of their deliverance is not far distant. The resolutions before you provide that self-determination shall be given to the people of Ireland; that they shall finally and for all time decide for themselves the system of government under which they shall live. I am confident that this honorable committee will report a resolution which the plenipotentiaries at the Peace Conference on the soil of France, representing the various nations of the world, will be apprised of the widespread conviction in America that the doctrine of self-determination shall be applied to the settlement of the Irish Question.”
President Mary McWhorter: “I am here to represent 75,000 women, women of Irish Blood.” She concluded her address with, “You have heard about the wonderful contributions that Ireland has made to American greatness and to the world’s greatness. Ireland bound in slavery making such a wonderful contribution to the greatness of this country and other countries where they have made a foothold. What, then, gentlemen of this Committee, would not Ireland free accomplish for the world’s greatness?”
Future President Adelia Christy: “We ask Mr. Chairman, only for a free Ireland. We ask that in conjunction with all the other small nations, Ireland may be allowed to work out her own development, to look after her own interests and to be governed and directed by a government of her own people.”
The early Lady Hibernians welcomed immigrants, supported the Church, promoted education, preserved Irish history, and demonstrated gratitude and loyalty to the United States while advocating justice for Ireland. As America celebrates 250 years of independence, today’s Lady Hibernians continue the work begun in Omaha in 1894 through Christian charity, education, immigration assistance, historical preservation, and service. Their predecessors loved Ireland enough to preserve its heritage and America enough to help build its future. Every act of Friendship, Unity, and Christian Charity honors that enduring legacy.
