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ABOUT US

The Queen’s Daughters is a Catholic ministry of women entrusted to support and serve the spiritual, social, and humanitarian needs of our community, under the guidance of our patroness, The Blessed Mother.

The Queen's Daughters' History

OUR HISTORY

The Queen's Daughters was founded on February 17, 1915, in Louisville, KY when the Sisters of The Good Shepard invited a few women to help with their convent. This small founding group envisioned a society of women under Catholic auspices ready to do “whatever came to their hands.” They adopted the name The Queen's Daughters to honor the Blessed Mother, in whose name and under whose protection all work was to be undertaken throughout the Louisville community.

In the beginning, The Queen's Daughters’ volunteer work focused on providing relief and welfare for WWI soldiers at Camp Taylor. Years later, their focus shifted to supporting dependent infants and expectant mothers with the opening of Our Lady’s Home for Infants in 1924. From then on, The Queen’s Daughters began pursuing their own philanthropic work through events like the annual Fashion Show and Luncheon, which began in 1952, to supporting their charitable organizations, and making life-long Catholic connections throughout the Archdiocese of Louisville.

QUEEN'S DAUGHTERS TODAY

The Queen's Daughters has had a very active history since its founding in 1915. Today, we are a vibrant and social community of over 280 Catholic women who strive to continue to create a strong society of those who serve, gather in fellowship, and pledge support for our service endeavors: the scholarship program, Catholic Charities’ Walking with Moms in Need program, and other charitable organizations throughout Louisville. Through the constant guidance of the Blessed Mother, we dedicate our time and talents to volunteering, getting involved within our organization’s many committees, and hosting philanthropic and spiritual events.

THE QUEEN’S DAUGHTERS THROUGH THE YEARS

1915

The Queen’s Daughters had its beginning in Louisville, KY, on February 17, 1915 …

when the Sisters of The Good Shepard invited a few women to help with their convent on 8th Street. However, these ladies envisioned something of a wider scope – a society of women under Catholic auspices ready to do “whatever came to their hands.” The membership fee was 10 cents per month or $1.25 per annum!

Camp Taylor, 1918. Image courtesy of The Courier Journal.

1917

During the First World War, the Knights of Columbus and The Queen’s Daughters helped care for the soldiers at Camp Taylor. The Knights transformed a building to serve as a chapel for Mass and The Queen’s Daughters provided the linens, candles, and a crucifix. After Mass, “Operation Coffee” began, to serve breakfast to the soldiers who had been fasting since midnight to receive communion.

Drawing of Our Lady's Home for Infants, 1961

1924

In June 1924 The Queen’s Daughters was asked to open a home for dependent infants and expectant mothers. A proper home was founded in 1926 at 809 Brook Street. Hundreds of infants have been taken care of and many children were legally adopted.

1952

The Queen’s Daughters hosted their first fundraiser, the fashion show, which is still held every year.

The Queen’s Daughters’ Fifty Year History booklet

1965

The Queen’s Daughters celebrated their 50th year as an organization.

1987

The Queen’s Daughters scholarship program began in the 1987-1988 school year. Annually, The Queen’s Daughters donates $33,000 to four high school students funding their Catholic high school education.

The Queen’s Daughters’ Seventy-Five Year History booklet

1990

The Queen’s Daughters’ 75th-anniversary celebration was held at the Brown Hotel on April 18, 1990. Mayor Jerry Abramson presented them with a proclamation stating that day was Queen’s Daughters, Inc. Day.

2000

The Queen's Daughters initiated support to the Catholic Charities’ Walking with Moms in Need program, which provides services and support to pregnant and postpartum mothers living in poverty.

The Queen’s Daughters’ 100th Anniversary program

2015

A celebration of the 100th anniversary of The Queen’s Daughters was held at the Hurstbourne Marriott. The event highlighted the charitable support of the Catholic Charities’ Walking with Moms in Need program and the scholarship program, which annually awards tuition assistance to four students. Funds are raised yearly from the Fall Fun Fest and the Spring Fashion Show.

The Queen’s Daughters’ Tower Award

2015

Also in 2015, the organization received a Tower Award from Presentation Academy for Lifetime Achievement. Presentation gives one outstanding award each year to an individual or organization for leadership.

Masks made for front-line workers during the COVID-19 pandemic through SOS International, 2020

2020

Several spring and summer events were canceled or postponed due to the historic coronavirus pandemic. Members made hundreds of masks for front-line workers, collected coats for the homeless, and donated baby items for the Catholic Charities’ Walking with Moms in Need program.

The Queen’s Daughters’ 2025 Fashion Show and Luncheon

2025

Following the pandemic, the Queen’s Daughters saw growth in membership—from 262 to 288—and welcomed more younger members. Outreach expanded through service at the Cathedral soup kitchen and Golden Arrow. Scholarships and fundraising flourished, with over $68,000 raised in 2025. A stronger web presence and online event registration helped modernize communications while continuing a legacy of service and support.

Archbishop Shelton Fabre

Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz

Archbishop Thomas C. Kelly, O.P.

Archbishop Thomas J. McDonough

Archbishop John A. Floersh (Posthumously)

Most Reverend Charles G. Maloney, D.D.

Rt. Reverend Msgr. Herman J. Lammers

Reverend Edwin J. Scherzer

Rt. Reverend Charles P. Raffo (Posthumously)

Reverend Herman J. Naber

Sister Ann Elizabeth Maloney, S.C.N.

Sister Mary Barbara Koenig, S.C.N.

Sister Mary Claudia, S.C.N.

Dr. Marie E. Biehl

Miss Mary M. Cunniff

Mr. & Mrs. David J. Quinn

Reverend Timothy A. Hogan

Reverend James F. Hackett

Reverend B.J. Breen

Reverend Tony Cecil

QUEEN’S DAUGHTERS CHARTER MEMBERSHIP

Miss Ella Farman

Miss Geneva Fleitz

Mrs. Joseph Fleitz

Mrs. J. W. Fowler, Jr.

Mrs. J. W. Galvin

Mrs. Peter S. Ganz

Mrs. Walter Glover

Mrs. J. Gorman

Mrs. Alexander V. Griswold

Mrs. Fred Harig

Mrs. Eleanor Harris

Miss Phoebe Harris

Miss Alice Hayes

Miss Elizabeth Hayes

Miss Anna Frances Henchey

Mrs. P. E. Henchey

Miss Alice Hickey

Miss Katherine M. Hines

Mrs. George Hoertz, Sr.

Mrs. Jacob Hoertz

Miss Martha Owens Hume

Mrs. B. J. Jansing

Mrs. Frank Jones

Mrs. John Jutt

Mrs. Thomas Keenan

Mrs. J. T. Laffan, Sr.

Mrs. Thomas B. Leahy

Mrs. John T. Lee

Mrs. J. H. Loesser

Mrs. Charles L. Lorenze

Mrs. P. F. McCarthy

Miss Lee McClusky

Mrs. M. J. McClusky

Mrs. E. J. McDermott

Mrs. John McDonough

Mrs. M. A. McGee

Miss Julia McKenna

Miss Katherine Malone

Miss Margaret Malone

Mrs. J. J. Maloney

Mrs. W. T. Meehan

Mrs. Frank A. Menne

Mrs. J. H. Metcalf

Miss Benita Murphy

Mrs. D. F. Murphy

Miss Honor Murphy

Mrs. J. B. Arbegust

Miss Atha Au

Miss Marie Baker

Mrs. W. P. Bannon

Mrs. John Barbour

Mrs. Josephine Barrett

Miss Florence Barrett

Mrs. S. J. Boldrick

Miss Ora Brownfield

Mrs. C. A. Buchart

Mrs. Edgar Busath

Mrs. John H. Buschemeyer

Miss Nannie Caffery

Miss Penny Caffery

Mrs. P. H. Callahan

Mrs. John B. Campbell

Miss Mary Ellen Campbell

Miss Annie Carr

Miss Blanche Carr

Mrs. D. E. Carroll

Miss Mary M. Cassin

Miss Corine Cawthon

Mrs. Wm. C. Cawthon

Miss Blanche Clerget

Miss Bridie Coady

Miss Mary Coady

Miss Kate Collins

Miss Katherine Coleman

Miss Nanno Coleman

Mrs. Joseph E. Conkling

Miss Rose Conroy

Miss Blanche Cross

Miss Alice Curtin

Mrs. C. A. Curtin

Mrs. J. B. Cummings

Miss Louise Dant

Mrs. Lawrence Downs

Mrs. W. H. Duane

Mrs. Annie Duffy

Mrs. John A. Duffy

Mrs. F. J. Dugan

Mrs. E. C. Enos

Mrs. H. J. Eschman

Miss Kathleen Ewing

Mrs. J. C. Murphy

Miss Katie May Murphy

Miss Virginia Murphy

Mrs. J. O’Connor

Miss Margaret O’Connor

Mrs. Matt O’Doherty

Miss Edith Pemberton

Mrs. John H. Pfeiffer

Mrs. Philip S. Pogue

Miss Katie Powers

Miss Laura Raffo

Mrs. E. E. Ranney

Miss Bertha R. Rapp

Mrs. J. N. Rees

Miss Effie May Renfro

Mrs. A. J. Richards

Mrs. Granvell T. Rider

Mrs. W. W. Robertson

Mrs. Dennis Ryan

Miss Elizabeth Sauter

Mrs. B. J. Scannell

Mrs. Henry Schimpeler

Miss Marie Schimpeler

Miss Mayme Schuhmann

Mrs. C. William Schrader

Mrs. A. Schuler

Mrs. J. J. Shafer

Mrs. Mary N. Shea

Mrs. A. J. Sheridan

Mrs. Lum Simons

Miss Emma Stizel

Mrs. Frederick Stizel

Mrs. J. A. Strassel

Mrs. Charles F. Taylor

Mrs. John Thomas

Mrs. Edward Tierney

Miss Mary Tierney

Mrs. Carrier Waller

Miss Wilhelma Waller

Miss Elizabeth B. Walsh

Miss Alma Watson

Miss Rose Watson

Miss Anna Zoll