Margaret Kelly descrobes the Ladies of Charity in a feature article on the web site of the Diocese of Memphis.The first American Lady of Charity was a 23 year old wife and mother named Catherine Harkins. Born in Ireland, she came to America with her parents and was taught by the Sisters of Charity in Emmitsburg, Maryland. When she married, she moved to St. Louis, settling in St. Vincent de Paul Parish. There, encouraged by Father Urban Gagnepain of the Congregation of the Mission, she formed an association on December 8, 1857. It was the first American association of the Ladies of Charity. There were 12 members and she was their president.
http://cdom.org/wtc/wtc_archives/wtc010903/wtc_pages/feature_article1.html
