The Catholic Daughters of the Americas (CDA) was founded in Utica, New York in 1903 by John E. Carberry and several other Knights of Columbus as a charitable, benevolent and patriotic sorority for Catholic ladies. It was originally called the National order of Daughters of Isabella," and is dedicated to the principles of "Unity can Charity," the order's motto. They were originally called the national order of the Daughters of Isabella, and Carberry served as the first Supreme Regent. The Knights established our two standards of Unity and Charity.

CDA had 90 courts by 1908, and had grown from a membership of less than 100 to more than 10,000. The membership encompassed 69 cities in 18 different state. In March of 1913, the Daughters of Isabella purchased a building in Utica belonging to the Knights of Columbus for use as its official headquarters.

Catholic Daughters of the Americas is one of the oldest and largest organizations of Catholic women in the Americas. We donate to charities, administer scholarship programs and strive "to be helping hands where there is pain, poverty, sorrow or sickness".

To be a Catholic Daughter is a commitment, a ministry, a privilege. It is a national, state, local faith-filled organization of dedicated Catholic women.

We are a necklace of sparkling jewels connected on a golden chain made with sturdy loops of caring, help and sharing. The facets of each lustrous stone have been cut and polished by acts of charity. A Divine Jeweler sets each gem in place, creates a shiny ornament that is worn with Pride, Responsibility and Generosity. Called to spread God's love to others, we help to make the Americas and the whole world a better place to live.