BIO: The first monument to a woman in the United States was erected in honor of selfless Cavan-born Margaret Gaffney Haughey, whose likeness now graces a street in New Orleans, LA. Margaret Gaffney was born in Cavan in 1813, left for Baltimore, MD with her parents at the age of five. They died when she was nine and she was brought up by a Mrs. Richards. Upon her marriage to Charles Haughey she left for New Orleans, LA in 1835. When her husband and only daughter subsequently died, Margaret devoted herself to helping orphaned children, of which New Orleans had an unusually large share. During the years 1845 to 1855, over 50% of all immigrants entering New Orelans were Irish. Weakened by starvation many succumbed to typhus and yellow fever. During the first week of May, 1849, New Orleans registered 225 deaths from yellow fever of which 214 were Irish. Many died aboard ship, and left children who had no one or no place to go to. These children and others Margaret Gaffney Haughey cared for, eventually established a bakery and dairy, and spent her profits on the children. Two years following her death in 1884, the people of New Orleans erected a statue in her honor. -- "Irish America" magazine >