While there are many organizations that exist to exalt our Irish heroes and leaders, there is none that give voice to least of our ancestors, the Irish orphans. Some came to America already orphaned by the famine of Black '47, others were left fatherless when 8,000 Irishmen died digging New Orleans' Basin Canal. These orphans have been forgotten; orphaned once again by all of us who celebrate St. Patrick's Day. The Irish Famine Orphans Society exists to remind us that, while the Irish have risen to the highest height of politics and society, many of our ancestors came from the humblest of beginnings. We intend to care for their memories as our Patron St. Margaret Haughery, the Mother of All Orphans and the Bread Lady of New Orleans, cared for their lives.