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HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
The Catholic Daughters of the Americas was founded by the Knights of
Columbus on June 24, 1903 in Utica, New York. At that time we were
known as the "Daughters of Isabella." Our local groups are identified
as "courts." The first Court, Court Utica #1, no longer
exists. However, Court Columbia #2, located in Meadville,
Pennsylvania, is the oldest court in the Order having been instituted
in 1903. Nationwide, there are approximately 1,530 active local
courts.
In 1921 our name was changed from Daughters of Isabella to Catholic
Daughters of America, and in 1978 we became known as the Catholic
Daughters of the Americas since we extended into Mexico and the
Caribbean.
The newest Court in Pennsylvania, instituted on September 28, 2003, is
Court #2521, Blessed Madonna in State College, Pa. To date
Pennsylvania has 106 active Courts with approximately 7,000 members.
The National Office is located in New York City, in an old brownstone
building that was purchased in the 1920's from the Knights of
Columbus.
MEMBERSHIP
Membership is open to lay and religious women, 18 years of age or
older, who love and support the Catholic Church and desire to
participate in social and charitable activities.
Members can participate in performing charitable service and sharing
their faith through local programs and the national projects. Members
can grow in their talents and gifts and share their time and
friendship with other Catholic women. You can become acquainted with
women in your city, the diocese, State and the nation. Members can
attend National and State workshops and conventions, participate in
the Court's liturgical rites, retreats, and local community
activities.
MEETINGS
There are ten monthly meetings each year; however, at the 2002
National Convention a Court can vote to have nine (9) meetings each
year, due to inclement weather conditions, etc. in their area. All
meetings are attended only by Catholic Daughters or the clergy and
religious. The Court can vote to have an "open" meeting which
non-Catholic Daughters may attend to see what the organization does.
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