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.
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 were 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.