International Order of the Rainbow for Girls
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The International Order of the Rainbow for Girls (IORG) is a youth 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.
The order was created in 1922 when the Reverend W. Mark Sexson was asked to make an address before South McAlester Chapter #149, O.E.S., in McAlester, Oklahoma. As the Order of DeMolay had come under his close study and observation during his Masonic activities, he decided that an Order for girls, setting forth some of the principles of Freemasonry, would be necessary. The first class of girls that was initiated into the Order consisted of a class of 171 girls, on April 6, 1922, in the auditorium of the Scottish Rite Temple in McAlester.
The International Order of the Rainbow for Girls has Assemblies in 46 states in the United States in addition to Assemblies in 7 other countries. States which currently do not have Assemblies are: South Dakota, Delaware, Utah, and Wyoming. The countries outside the United States which have assemblies are: Australia (in both Queensland and New South Wales), Brazil, Canada, Japan, Panama, and the Philippines. Italy is in the early stages of starting Assemblies.
No relation to a Master Mason is required for membership in the Order. A few years ago, the rules for Eastern Star were changed so that majority members of Rainbow were eligible for membership in that order.
External links
- International Order of the Rainbow for Girls website (http://www.iorg.org/)