What Are The Columbiettes?

Conceived in 1939, the Columbiettes is a ladies organization whose purpose is to work with the Knights of Columbus as a service organization.

Monsignor J. Francis McIntyre, at that time Chaplain of the New York Chapter Knights of Columbus, witnessed a great numbers of women coming out of a Communist Party rally at Madison Square Garden back in 1939.  Sensing that these women were drawn to the Communist Party out of a desire to belong to an organization fighting for certain causes, he conceived the idea of a ladies organization to work with the Knights of Columbus. The New York Chapter Knights of Columbus formulated a plan for such an organization.

The plan called for the establishment of Auxiliaries in each Council and to coordinate the efforts of all under the direction of one parent group. On March 2, 1939 the first Columbiettes were instituted in New York City. Since that memorable day, many new auxiliaries have been formed and eventually State Councils and a Supreme Council were established.

New members are initiated in these subordinate Auxiliaries and it is only through the integrity, strength and scope of these Auxiliary activities that the Columbiettes have become a recognized group of women working with the Knights of Columbus, promoting the ideals of Columbianism.