Honoring the Early Leaders of the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians
Part I

As the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians gather for our national convention, let us remember and honor our beginnings. Irish and Irish American men and women from all over the United States traveled to Omaha, Nebraska the week of May 6-12, 1894, for the Ancient Order of Hibernians National Convention.

One of the historic items on the agenda of the convention was the establishment of a Ladies Auxiliary. This year as we gather, we also will be honoring 250 years of our country with a special display from the EPIC Museum, Ireland and the Making of America. The LAOH has made many contributions to our country by welcoming immigrants and establishing the Trinity Scholarship in 1902 to assist young Irish immigrants receive an education.

Our first elected President, Anna Malia, in an article in the National Hibernian describes the beginning of our order:
 “In May 1894 at the National Convention of the Ancient Order of Hibernians held in the city of Omaha, Nebraska, some ladies had the temerity to ask permission to organize an Auxiliary to the Ancient Order of Hibernians, whose principal object would be to help promote the three great principles of the parent body and to be an auxiliary in the true sense of the word. The AOH delegates (like all good, tender-hearted Irishmen) I presume could not refuse the ladies and the privilege was granted, with the thought, no doubt, Oh we will never hear from them again. It is but a whim of the moment.”

Members of the Ancient Order of Hibernians came home from the convention and started to help organize Auxiliaries. As documented in the Irish Standard in August 1894, one of the first Auxiliaries was established in Hennepin County, Minnesota. During the first few years, the Ladies Auxiliary quickly grew.

From 1894, the Auxiliary on the National Level was under the leadership of the National Vice President of the AOH. In 1902, an Advisory Board of members of the Ladies Auxiliary was formed. The members of the Advisory Board consisted of President Mary Quinn of Illinois, Vice President Catherine Sheridan of Massachusetts and Secretary Anna Malia of Pennsylvania. In 1904, the Advisory Officers were President Mary Quinn of Illinois, Vice President Rose Keating of Maryland and Secretary Catherine Sheridan of Massachusetts.

In Saratoga, New York, the 1906 Convention was presided over by the President of the Advisory Board, Mary Quinn, from Illinois. In the National Hibernian, it is stated, “For the past 4 years, Mrs. John Quinn has presided over the destiny of the Auxiliary and to her tact and earnestness may be attributed the great success which it has attained.”

Later in the article, the delegates were described as, “the cream of the Catholic womanhood of America and embraced within their ranks many of the brightest and most gifted minds.” 

National AOH President Dolan in the National Hibernian, “bears testimony to the excellence of the Ladies Auxiliary and gives them full credit to for the noble work they have performed. We believe the Irish American woman of this country are realizing the great advantages of membership in an organization of this character and that the Ladies Auxiliary is destined to become the greatest fraternal society of Catholic woman on this continent.”

In the August 15, 1906 issue of the National Hibernian, it was stated that, “The convention of the Ladies Auxiliary was just as much a success, taking material things into consideration as that of the men’s order itself. It may not have been attended with all the parliamentary knowledge of the latter, nor with the flow of oratory or fervid appeals, which generally distinguish the men’s gathering, but its business was in a manner that reflects the highest credit on our women and proves them to be possessed of that genius and ability necessary for the management of their own affairs. This year marks a new era in the history of the Ladies Auxiliary, and henceforth they will be empowered to elect their own board of officers, levy their own assessments and manage their own funds and they will be only subject to the men’s order in matters which imply loyalty to the fundamental principles of the organization. In all else they will possess home rule.”

The Ladies Auxiliary of the Ancient Order of Hibernians elected their first national officers in 1906. Anna Malia was elected our first president. She championed greater independence for the women’s organization and inspired generations of Lady Hibernians through her leadership.

Ellen Ryan Jolly succeeded Malia, serving from 1912-1916. Jolly was the driving force behind one of our early achievements, The Nuns of the Battlefield Monument. She received an Honorary Degree from the University of Notre Dame. Jolly represented educated professional women who united Catholic faith, Irish heritage, and public service while expanding the organization.

The Gaelic American has mentioned Ellen Ryan Jolly on a few occasions. In the February 27, 1915 edition, there was an ad for the 137th Anniversary Celebration of the Birth of Robert Emmet. The event was held on March 2, 1915 at the Academy of Music in New York City and the ad listed that the Oration was to be given by Mrs. Ellen Ryan Jolly, the National President of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Ancient Order of Hibernians.

Jolly served as an Honorary Pallbearer, the only woman given that honor, at the Staten Island Funeral of O’Donovan Rossa. In another article, her condolence letter to Mrs. O’Donovan Rossa appeared and is as follows: “My Dear Mrs. O’Donovan Rossa, In the name of seventy thousand daughters of the exiled Gael, members of the Ladies Auxiliary to the Ancient Order of Hibernians of America, I extend our united sympathy to you in this hour of sorrow. It was my privilege to know the “Unconquerable Rebel and Ireland’s royal and loyal son, in the early 70’s and the respect and affection which I conceived in those days for the Irish Patriot have strengthened in the passing years. He gave his life for Erin’s cause holy and sublime, and not in vain. The name of O’Donovan Rossa shall be revered by future generations. “When Ireland takes her place among the Nations of the Earth,” high upon the roll of honor of Erin’s illustrious sons will be the hallowed name of Jermiah O’Donovan Rossa. May he rest in peace and may the sods rest lightly above the heart which loved Ireland with passionate devotion. With deep respect, sympathy and affection I am dear Mrs. O’Donovan Rossa. Yours Sincerely Ellen Ryan Jolly President Ladies Auxiliary of the Ancient Order of Hibernians.”  

As President of the Ladies Auxiliary, she writes about her memories in the National Hibernian as an Honorary Pallbearer  “With tears of which she was not ashamed, the National President stood beside the remains of the unconquerable Irish Rebel and with one hand clasped upon his dead hand and the other upon his noble brow, pledged anew in her own name and in the name of every member of the Ladies Auxiliary eternal devotion to Ireland and Ireland’s holy cause.

In the January 1916 National Hibernian, she writes, “God grant that 1916 may be the year dreamed of by Robert Emmet when our beloved Ireland will take her place amidst the nations of the earth-green with the shimmer of springtime and gold with the glory of a victory worth the winning.” 

Following the Easter Rising, the Gaelic American covered meetings that addressed the situation and the America response. In the April 29, 1916, issue, an article stated that Ellen Ryan Jolly, the National President of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, spoke at a rally. She spoke for Irish mothers and her speech was received with great applause.

A quote for her speech ” England! I hate here day and night! Whether it’s by revolution or by howitzers of the Germans- I don’t care which – I hope to see here defeated. We mothers haven’t forgotten Wexford, we haven’t forgotten the Boyne, and I for one will never sing God Save the King. I’d choke a son of mine who ever attempted to sing that song.”

Providence, Rhode Island held two great meetings where speeches from prominent men addressed their horror at England’s savage acts and the condemnation of the murder of the leaders of the Easter Rising. Ellen Ryan Jolly was the lone female voice at the meetings.

As President of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, she addressed the crowds stating, “that her organization pledged its sympathy and material support to the families of the victims of the revolt in Dublin. She spoke of Irish patriotism and said that since 1172 Ireland had been fighting for freedom. ‘We are not neutral, I hope England gets licked to Paulo. I don’t care how she is licked, whether it bevy the desertion of her colonies, by an Uprising in Ireland, or by the German howitzers. We must stand shoulder to shoulder for dear old Ireland.’ Following the speech she announced that a collection would be taken up, all the proceeds of which, above the expenses of the meeting, would go into a fund for the aid of the families of the Irish revolutionists.”