In early 1854, Ann held a public meeting in her hometown of Laurens, South Carolina, to organize a fund-raising campaign. Inside a small, rustic church, her mother presided over the assembly, generously beginning a subscription list with her own hundred-dollar donation. By the end of the meeting $293 had been raised. This gathering marked the beginning of what would become the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association of the Union.

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Soon citizens nationwide became aware of the struggle to save Mount Vernon. Newspapers whose editors were sympathetic to the ladies earnestly spread word about the cause. The editor of the Mobile Herald and Tribune wrote an article supporting the women's endeavors saying, "the purchase of Mount Vernon by women impresses me as a most admirable way to secure the property and set it solemnly apart to the guardianship of the hero's grave. The form of the tribute, hallowed by womanly affections and executed by womanly devotion, is the most fitting it can assume."

The newspaper accounts alerted famous orator Edward Everett to the women's cause. When the 61 year old admirer of George Washington met Ann in 1856, he was smitten with a desire to aid the Mount Vernon campaign and decided to do so by using his talent as an orator. Thereafter, he deliver his popular speech on the first president's character to benefit the Ladies' Association. Everett's assistance marked a turning point in the history of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, and his speechmaking tours provided vital financial support and prestige.

Less than two weeks after Cunningham met with Everett, the ladies faced a legislative battle that was essential to their cause. They discovered that they had no legal foundation on which to assume ownership of Mount Vernon and needed a formal charter stating their goals, financial plan, and proposed method of ownership. Once formulated, the charter had to be presented to the Virginia legislature for approval. In ante-bellum society, where women were not encouraged to become involved with financial matters or the managing an estate, the ladies needed a mixture of charm and firm resolution to be successful in the ensuing fight for a charter. They found a champion who possessed these traits in actress and playwright Anna Cora Mowatt Ritchie.

Mrs. Ritchie, who had enjoyed a successful acting career before marrying the editor of the Richmond Enquirer, played a lasting role in the struggle to preserve Washington's home. She and her husband, who also lent his support, invited a number of the state legislators to their home one evening. After plying their guests with fine Southern cuisine and a "musical soiree," they tactful raised the subject of the charter. Lulled by the evening's festivities, the legislators were receptive to the idea of a charter, some immediately pledging their sincere support. Overjoyed by the response, Mrs. Ritchie wrote to Ann exclaiming that "Governor Floyd pledged himself to use his best endeavors to pass our bill and at once–so did all the other members and senators present. After all the ladies had left, the gentlemen still remained and talked to me, and some were actually warmed into enthusiasm . . . ."

Unfortunately, that enthusiasm quickly subsided, and the bill needed for the charter was not brought before the legislature as expected. Badgered by persistent inquiries from the ladies, the legislature finally considered the bill a month later. To ensure that the bill would reach the floor of the House, Ritchie and several women of the Richmond Mount Vernon Committee prudently converged on the state capitol on March 17 to hear the momentous decision. Anxious as to the fate of their endeavor, they conspicuously sat in full view of the membership. In the House of Representatives, only two opposing votes were cast; the Senate passed the charter unanimously. The Mount Vernon Ladies' Association had overwhelmingly achieved legal status. Filled with enthusiasm after the victory, Anna Ritchie proudly wrote to Miss Cunningham, "Mount Vernon is secure–is ours! We may be sure of that. All praise and honor be to you."

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