Troy woman chosen to head Hibernians

Mary T. Leathem is going to be a very busy lady. In addition to teaching sixth-grade English at Tamarack Secondary School in Brunswick, she now holds the highest national office of the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians.

Mrs. Leathem, who attends St. Anthony's parish in Troy, was recently -- and unanimously -- elected president of the LAOH. She has been a member of the Troy chapter for 35 years.

The mother of three adult children will be spearheading efforts to raise monies for foreign missions and charities, for two national scholarship funds, and for work with the poor, seniors, shut-ins and other organizations that ask for help.

Helping others

"Raising money and doing charity work is what we are all about," Mrs. Leathem told The Evangelist. "There is so much need in the world. We are currently assisting missions in Africa and the many victims of AIDS there. Last year, we sent $67,000 to the Columban Fathers in Ireland for those causes."

The LAOH also supports a scholarship at the University of Notre Dame "for men and women of Irish heritage that wish to pursue a program of Irish studies," she said. A second scholarship is presented to an immigrant studying at Trinity College in Washington, D.C.

"This [scholarship] was originated in 1902 by women in the D.C. area to help educate Irish women who had emigrated to the U.S. and could not otherwise afford a college education," she noted. "We have opened up the field to other women. If there aren't any Irish women immigrants who wish to take advantage of the scholarship, it is offered to Latino or Hispanic women immigrants."

Additionally, Mrs. Leathem noted, the LAOH provides financial assistance to seminarians, and scholarships to religious sisters and brothers who wish to further their education. The national group also supports food pantries, shelter programs, and assistance to the elderly and to shut-ins.

Need to grow

The LAOH was originally begun to "support local Irish women immigrants, to protect them, and to keep our culture and strong faith active," Mrs. Leathem explained.

However, "young women aren't joining anymore the way women did in the '50s and '60s," she noted. "If we want to stay active, we must network more as a group."

Part of her vision as president includes expanding communication and membership, and raising more money for the causes they support.

"We may be an 'Ancient Order,' but we are not ancient!" she said. "We are looking for women who want to make a difference in their communities. We are a great group of ladies."

(In addition to the Troy group, LAOH chapters exist in Albany, Schenectady, Watervliet, Saratoga Springs, Glens Falls and East Durham. For further information, call 235-8161.)

(8/19/04)