11 Facts About Mame Faye

Mame Faye ran a brothel at 1725 6th Avenue in the heart of the red-light district, which was known as The Line, from approximately 1906 to 1941.

Mame Faye's clients included politicians, factory workers and military men.

Mame Faye is currently honoured by a New York tugboat bearing her name.

Mame Faye was born Mary Alice Fahey, the daughter of Irish immigrants Thomas Fahey and Margaret McNamara Fahey.

Mame Faye had two siblings: Thomas, who was killed when struck by a train in 1896, and Martha, who later married Michael Myers.

Mame Faye was buried in St Joseph's Cemetery in the Fahey family plot.

Mame Faye purchased a row house in 1906 and opened her own bordello on 1725 Sixth Avenue, three buildings north of the police station and opposite the Union Station.

In return, Mame Faye would keep the police station supplied with fresh coffee.

Mame Faye would recruit prostitutes from local lunch shops, telling them they were "sitting on a million" and offer them $100 a week wages, at time when a female factory worker would earn $15-$18 a week.

Mame Faye was reported to be good to the women who worked for her and made sure they were in good health and received medical care when needed.

In 2008, directors Penny Lane and Anne Marie Lanesey made a documentary film was made about Mame Faye entitled "Sittin' on a Million", the title being a phrase Faye reportedly used when recruiting prostitutes.