To The Parents of Prospective Rainbow Girls
The International Order of the Rainbow for Girls was founded in 1922 by Rev. W. Mark Sexson. The Order is for girls, age 11 to 20 years of age. Each local assembly is sponsored by members of the Masonic Fraternity, Order of the Eastern Star, or Order of the Amaranth. There are approximately one thousand, seven hundred assemblies throughout the United States and the World. Rainbow is a non-profit, character building, service Organization.
The Order accepts only girls who believe in a Supreme being, and who have a good moral character. The Order then strives to provide these fine girls with the opportunity to develop their natural capabilities, learn something of leadership and the social graces, and hopefully to help them to become outstanding adults of the future, able to cope with the problems they will face and live an upright and moral life in an atmosphere of love and cooperation.
We believe that this can best be accomplished by combining the girl’s church and social experience with the moral, social, and leadership lessons taught in Rainbow. Emphasis is placed on helping other people. Service projects wherein girls work to help the aged or disadvantaged is a part of every term. Each Assembly is self-supporting financially and the girls learn to plan, budget, keep records, and carry through on whatever project is involved.
New girls are first offered positions of minor responsibility, and as they progress to higher levels, they learn what it takes to work closely with other people, to cooperate, and sacrifice some personal time to help a common cause, or to complete a project on time. They also learn to respect those in charge, and when they become the leaders, how to gain the respect and support of the girls and adults.
The girls are also taught to dress appropriately, act and speak with confidence, poise and dignity, and to abide by the common courtesy rules of etiquette.
As you may have surmised, meeting these objectives, especially in the troubled times in which we live, requires considerable adult participation and leadership. Members of the Masonic Fraternity, The Order of the Eastern Star, or Order of the Amaranth, and adults who were Rainbow Girls provide much of the leadership. However, they cannot do it alone and depend on parents or legal guardians for assistance in many ways. Parents and legal guardians of active Rainbow Girls may be issued a “Parents Card” and may attend all functions.
It is essential that parents have this knowledge of the basic rules of behavior and etiquette which apply to members of the Order. Firm rules regarding dress, attendance, chaperoning, memory work, and general etiquette are required. Some of the rules and current dress codes are set up at the State or International levels with an eye to long range effects.
Maintaining the high ideals of the Order can be most difficult unless parental understanding and cooperation exists. Parental assistance is essential in encouraging girls to accept and fulfill the responsibilities of her office; to attend all meeting possible, learn her memory work and practice for special events. Parents will also be requested to Assist whenever possible in chaperoning, transporting, helping prepare refreshments, helping girls with their projects, etc. If all parents help as much as possible, it will not be a burden to anyone, and each will have the joy of seeing their daughter blossom into a beautiful young woman who is learning how to live in, enjoy and contribute to the wonderful world in which we live. It is one of the most precious experiences any parents can have. We hope to see you share in this experience.
Hiram Assembly #84 Contact Information
Mother Advidor - Ms. Tracy Faust