[1][2][3] The Catholic Daughters of the Americas were founded by members of the Utica, New York branch of the Knights of Columbus and intended to operate as the organizations female auxiliary.

When the first set of officers were elected on June 18, 1903, most of the leadership was male, including Supreme Regent John Carberry.

[4] Originally, the National Order of the Daughters of Isabella, the organization was very active during World War I, volunteering as nurses and clerks, hosting parties for servicemen, conducting sewing and knitting classes for the Red Cross, donating clothing for the needy and working with the blind.

In the late 1980s it was down to 170,000 and stood at 160,000 in 1994[11] In 2012 there were 75,000 members in some 1,250 courts (local chapters) in 45 states across the country, and in Puerto Rico, Mexico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands.

They have historically been interested in helping physically and mentally handicapped children, unwed mothers, the disenfranchised and the needy.