Bakers join to restore "Bread Woman of New Orleans" monument

It's only fitting that several New Orleans bakeries and confectioneries have joined the effort to help raise funds to restore one of the city's most beloved monuments erected to honor Margaret Haughery. The monument is believed to be the first in the United States dedicated to a woman.

Margaret, a monument honoring the
community work of Irish born
baker Margaret Haughery is in need
of restoration and New Orleans bakeries
are answering the call.

Leading up to Mother’s Day, May 6-12, each participating bakery or shop will create a special cake, bread, cookie or candy and will donate a portion of the sales from that featured item to the Monumental Task Committee, Inc. the non-profit organization overseeing the restoration of the statue.

"Margaret Haughery is a great example of a philanthropist that gave so freely of herself for the good of the community," said Stan Harris, Louisiana Restaurant Association President/CEO. "Thank you to those bakeries and confectioners that are generously giving a portion of their profits to help restore a monument that shows the history of a baker with such heart and compassion."

Participants include Rouses Supermarkets, Blue Dot Doughnuts, Bittersweet Confections, Leidenheimer Baking Co., Maple Street Patisserie and Swiss Confectionery.

Located in an intimate park where Camp Street meets Prytania sits a statue of a woman and child, identified by only one word “Margaret.” An Irish immigrant orphaned at the age of 9, Margaret Haughery made a lifelong commitment to helping orphaned children and needy women. Known as both the "Bread Woman of New Orleans" and the "Mother of Orphans", her successful bakery allowed her to build orphanages in New Orleans. Upon her death, she left her fortune to care for those in need.

Shortly after, the citizens of New Orleans raised funds to erect a fitting monument in Margaret’s name. Today this monument is in serious disrepair, and is in need of restoration estimated to cost $150,000.

The Monumental Task Committee, Inc. is a local non-profit dedicated to repairing and preserving pieces of local New Orleans history, making the city more attractive and its history more accessible for both residents and visitors. Their area of focus is the preservation and care of the 245+ monuments that are located within the city. Since their inception in 1989, they have completed many successful restoration projects. The MTC is a predominantly volunteer-run organization, with a Board of Directors from diverse professional and educational backgrounds, contributing decades of experience to these preservation efforts.