Cudahy, Dorothy Hayden, 1922-2010

Dorothy Hayden Cudahy (1922-2010) was born May 29, 1922 in Manhattan. She is the daughter of James Hayden, a native of Ballyraggett, Co. Kilkenny, and Delia Brennan, a native of Curry, Co. Sligo. She married John Cudahy (1920 -1994), the son of Co. Clare immigrants, in 1947 and they had one son, Sean (1950 – 1997). In 1960, Dorothy Hayden became one of the first meter maids for the New York City Department of Traffic and by 1982 retired as the Chief of Administration of the Bureau of Enforcement of the NYC Transportation Department. In 1984 she became the first woman, as well as the first American-born person, to be elected president of the Kilkenny Association. In 1989 she was again honored as the first woman Grand Marshall of the New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade. She and John Cudahy were active all their lives in numerous Irish organizations, both as members and officers.

James Hayden, a well known emcee and columnist for the Irish Echo, began broadcasting the Irish Memories radio program in 1930 over local station WEVD. Upon his death in 1943, his daughter succeeded as the program's host and continued broadcasting until the late 1980s. The weekly programme consisted of musical selections, news, advertisements and occasionally interviews. In addition to her program, in 1950, Ms. Cudahy created a group called the Dorothy Hayden Entertainers with dancers, musicians and entertainers. In 1951 the group appeared on the Ed Sullivan show.

The American Irish Citizens Committee for the Re-Election of Mayor William O’Dwyer was formed in 1949 to help re-elect O’Dwyer to a second term as Mayor of New York City. It grew out of a previous entity, the Mayo Men’s Committee for the Election of O’Dwyer, Joseph, and Impelletteri. Included on O’Dwyer’s re-election ticket were City Council President Vincent R. Impellitteri and Comptroller Lazarus Joseph. With their headquarters based in the Hotel Commodore on 42nd Street and Lexington Avenue, the committee worked to raise funds, generate publicity, and successfully turn out the Irish vote for the three candidates. Officers of the Committee included: Martin Killeen, Chairman; John Kerry O'Donnell, Treasurer; James FitzPatrick, Financial Secretary; and Hon. Francis T. Murphy, Chairman, Executive Board.

William O'Dwyer (1890-1964), a native of Bohola, County Mayo in Ireland, emigrated to New York City in 1910. Prior to becoming Mayor in 1946, he served in the United States Army and later worked as a policeman, lawyer, district attorney. He was re-elected in November 1949 and served until August 1950, when he accepted the position of U.S. Ambassador to Mexico.

Sources:

McNickle, Chris. To Be Mayor of New York . NY: Columbia University Press, 1993.

O'Dwyer, William (with Paul O'Dwyer). Beyond the Golden Door . Jamaica, NY: St. Johns University Press, 1987.