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Profile: First Catholic Slovak Ladies Association

With over 86,000 members, the First Catholic Slovak Ladies Association (FCSLA) is a fraternal benefit society that ranks among the top fraternal societies active in the United States today. Founded in Cleveland, Ohio in 1892, and currently headquartered in Beachwood, Ohio, the FCSLA has grown to provide licensed insurance and financial products in 30 states. Membership and its benefits are available to men, women and children of Slavic descent living in the United States. FCSLA is one of FOS's strongest fraternal organization supporters.

At a time when women were almost considered second-class citizens, nine Slovak immigrant homemakers, under the leadership of Mrs. Anna Hurban of Cleveland, began laying the foundation for a fraternal benefit society—the First Catholic Slovak Ladies Union (FCSLU). These women realized there had to be provisions made for death and injury benefits that would protect families from the hazards and toll of industrial labor. With the encouragement of Father Stephen Furdek, Mrs. Hurban assembled eight other Slovak women on January 1, 1892 at St. Ladislaus Church in Cleveland. Many members were recruited over the next few months, and by year end, the organization had grown from $77 in assets and 9 members to $212 in assets and 95 members. By 1899, the Society had 1,859 members, who paid 14 cents a month at any of 83 branches, and the organization became chartered in the State of Ohio. From 1893 to 1915, assets averaged an 86 percent increase biennially.

The FCSLU continued to grow even as it faced a series of challenges. The 1918 flu epidemic claimed the lives of many members and brought the organization close to bankruptcy. A new administration was chosen, and after introducing a new rate structure that prompted thousands of members to withdraw, the FCSLU recovered, and was again strong by the late 1920s. Then, the organization had to weather the Great Depression, where it assisted destitute families by granting premium waivers. At the Society's 50th anniversary in 1942, it had $12 million in assets and 65,000 members. In the late 1960s, the name was changed to the current First Catholic Slovak Ladies Association to avoid confusion based on the term "Union." The FCSLA also grew by merging with other smaller benefit societies and focusing on involving young people.

The Society's second century of operation began, coincidentally, with the establishment of an independent Slovakia on January 1, 1993. In 1996, Mary Ann S. Johanek assumed the Presidency of FCSLA and is its current leader. Ms. Johanek brought a new professionalism, and improved financial and marketing structures, resulting in a stronger position in the fraternal insurance market. In 2007, the organization had over $500 million in assets, providing over $700 million in insurance with over 100,000 insurance and annuity certificates in force. It has earned a rating of A- (Excellent) from A.M. Best, an independent insurance rating company.

As a fraternal society, FCSLA also conducts a number of other activities.With over 450 branches across the U.S., FCSLA members regularly socialize and are involved in Catholic Church and related educational activities, care for others in the Society and the community, and involve young people in contests and activities. The association sponsors over $248,000 in scholarships annually. The Society is also a strong supporter of greater awareness of Slovak history and culture. It publishes a monthly magazine, Fraternally Yours, Zenska Jednota, and supports a number of Slovak-related activities and organizations.

Many Slovak Americans may be familiar with one of the more popular activities sponsored by FCSLA, namely, the Slovak-American Cookbook. This book has been a standard reference in many Slovak-American kitchens since the 1950s and is still available on the association's website at www.fcsla.com. FCSLA is one of the most successful and important Slovak-American organization in this country, and FOS is very proud to be associated with it.