NEW YORK -- Joyce Ann Fleming was elected National Director of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas on July 20 at the Catholic Daughters' 54th Biennial National Convention in Omaha, Neb.

Fleming resides in Medford and worships at Immaculate Conception parish in Malden. She became a Catholic Daughter in 1983 when she joined Court Pope John Paul II #2244, transferring to Court Maplewood in February, 2010.

Fleming will begin her two-year term on Aug. 16. In her position as national director, Fleming will supervise Catholic Daughter activities in several states and work with the National Board (the governing body of the Catholic Daughters consisting of five national officers and nine national directors) to administer Catholic Daughter activities and implement policy.

Fleming is a member of Court Maplewood #510 in Malden. The court is affiliated with St. Joseph Church in Malden. Court Chaplain is Father William J. Minnegan, the pastor of St. Joseph's parish. Court Maplewood was chartered on April 11, 1920 and has 50 members.

Local charities the court supports include St. Joseph Church, St. Joseph's Youth Ministry, Vincent de Paul, LCWR, Scleroderma Foundation, Women's Concern, Pregnancy Help and the American Red Cross Blood Drive. National charities include the March for Life and the five Catholic Daughter National Projects. Court Maplewood held a Penny Sale on March 23 to raise monies for the church. The Penny Sale is held twice a year; the next is scheduled for November.

Fleming has held every local court and Massachusetts State Board position and was Gambit and Youth Chair, State Photographer for the State Board and Chair of the 2009 Massachusetts State Convention.

The Catholic Daughters of the Americas is one of the oldest and largest organizations of Catholic women in the Americas. Formed in 1903, today it numbers 75,000 dues-paying members in 1,250 courts (local chapters) in 45 states across the country, and in Puerto Rico, Mexico, Guam and the Virgin Islands.