The International Order of the Rainbow for Girls was
established in McAlester, Oklahoma in 1922. The very inception
and writing of the first Ritual, and the laws governing the Order, was
the work of W. Mark Sexson, a 33rd degree Mason from McAlester,
Oklahoma.
Reverend Sexson was very active in several
Masonic appendant organizations. Among his many offices, he held
the titles of Most Worshipful Grand Master of a sovereign Masonic
Grand Jurisdiction (1928) and Worthy Grand Patron for the Order of the
Eastern Star (1925-1926), both in the state of Oklahoma. The
degrees of the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls were first
exemplified on April 6, 1922, by the regular officers of South
McAlester Chapter No. 149, Order of the Eastern Star, for a class of
171 girls at the Scottish Rite Temple in McAlester, Oklahoma.
Today Rainbow Assembly can be found in many
jurisdictions around the world, including the United States,
Australia, Brazil, The Philippines, Germany, Canada, Italy, and Japan,
to name only a few. Nearly all states in the United States have
Rainbow.
Requirements to petition for membership in the organization. The girl represents that she:
1. freely offers herself as a candidate for the degrees in the International Order of
the Rainbow for Girls;
2. has a favourable impression of the Order and if elected to membership therein promises strict obedience to the Supreme Assembly, its Constitution and Statutes, and cheerful compliance to the By-Laws, Rules, and Regulations of the Assembly to whom she makes the petition.
3. She is of good moral character.
4. She is a believer in the one true and living God.
5. She is an unmarried girl between the ages of 11 and 20.
6. She is either the daughter or granddaughter of a Master Mason or a friend of a Rainbow Girl.
7. She has never petitioned or been rejected for the degrees in any Rainbow Assembly of the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls.
8. She is recommended by two Rainbow girls and be sponsored by either a Master Mason, member of the Order of the Eastern Star, member of the Order of the Amaranth, or a majority Rainbow Girl. This adult will also sign her petition.
What is the
International Order of the Rainbow for
Girls?
The
International Order of the Rainbow for Girls is a junior organization
for girls BETWEEN the ages of 11 and 20, from Masonic, Eastern Star,
Amaranth homes, and the friends of members of Rainbow girls. At
the age of 20, or upon marriage, which ever occurs first, girls who
are members in good standing are eligible for Majority Membership.
A girl must be sponsored by two other girls who are either active
members in good standing or a majority member, and at least one adult
whom must be a member in good standing of either the Masonic Lodge,
Order of the Eastern Star, or Order of the Amaranth.
The International Order of the Rainbow for Girls
(IORG) is a service organization. The girls learn about charity,
hope, and service through their work and involvement with their annual
local and Grand (state or country) service projects.
On April 6, 1922, the degrees of the
International Order of the Rainbow for Girls were first exemplified on
a class of one hundred seventy-one girls in the auditorium of the
Scottish Rite Temple in McAlester, Oklahoma.
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