Woman with strong Leitrim heritage wins landmark presidential role

In a landmark moment for one of America’s oldest Irish organisations, Bernadette Smyth LaFrance, daughter of the late John Smyth from Ballinamore and Ann Smyth from Ballinaglera, has been elected as the first woman to serve as President of the Knights of St. Patrick, a club founded in 1878 to foster Irish fellowship, preserve and promote Irish culture in America, and support and honor local charitable and public safety organizations.

A proud first-generation Irish American, Bernadette is a legacy member of the Knights, following in the footsteps of her father, John, an Irish immigrant from Aughnasheelin, Ballinamore, County Leitrim, who found a second home in the Irish cultural organisations of Greater New Haven. 

From an early age, Bernadette was immersed in the values, traditions, and camaraderie of the Knights and the Gaelic Club, which ignited a lifelong passion for preserving and celebrating Irish heritage.

LaFrance has long been a driving force in the region’s Irish American community. She has held executive roles within the Associated Irish Societies (AIS)and is widely respected for her ability to mentor volunteers, build cross-organizational partnerships, and drive sustainable growth through innovation and strategic vision. 

She is also the first recipient of the Kevin J. Smith Award for Excellence in Executive Leadership, the first ever woman to be elected Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors of the AIS, was named Knight of the Year in 2015, Grand Marshal of the Greater New Haven St. Patrick’s Day Parade in 2008, and Parade Queen in 1994.

Her presidency marks a new chapter for the Knights of St. Patrick. Bernadette’s passionate commitment to community service, and powerful sense of responsibility for cultural preservation continues to shape her work. 

Bernadette Smyth LaFrance with Aunts Margaret Smyth Bohan and Bridget Smyth O'Dea from Aughnasheelin

Her election as President not only honors the traditions of the past but charts an inspired course for the future of the Knights of St. Patrick. 

“This moment is not just about me,” LaFrance added. 

“It is about the generations of women in the Irish community who came before me, and those who I serve alongside today, who dedicate themselves to serving the Irish organisations with heart and purpose, continuing to inspire the future leaders who will follow.”

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