The History of Rainbow: Then and Now
Reverend W. Mark Sexson founded the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls in 1922. Rev. Sexson, an ordained Christian minister and active member of the Masonic Lodge, spent much of his life dedicated to both fraternal organizations and to his ministry, and became aware of the need for a youth organization for young women who were from a Masonic or Eastern Star home.
The order was created in 1922 when the Reverend W. Mark Sexson was asked to make an address before South McAlester Chapter #149, Order of the Eastern Star, in McAlester, Oklahoma. As the Order of DeMolay had come under his close study and observation during his Masonic activities, he decided that another Order for girls, setting forth some of the principles of Freemasonry, would be welcomed if it did not have to have a Masonic parent or grandparent as a requirement, as the Job's Daughters did. 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.
Today, membership is open to any girl regardless of Masonic affiliation.
The History of New Hampshire Rainbow:
To know our past, we understand our present. To understand our present, we embrace our future.
When the Order of the Rainbow for Girls was organized by Mark Sexson on April 6, 1922 in McAlester, Oklahoma, Mr. Harry Leighton called this to the attention of Mrs. Sara E. Otis, the Worthy Matron of Epiphany Chapter, O.E.S.
Mrs. Otis was greatly impressed by the Ritual as written by Mr. Sexson and decided to start an Assembly in New Hampshire. Concord Assembly No. 1 was instituted October 10, 1924 by Mrs. Bessie P. Norris of Portsmouth, NH, the State Deputy. Forty Six girls were initiated with Barbara Philbrick as the Worthy Advisor and Mrs. Sara Otis as the first Mother Advisor.
A busy time followed with the new girls bring initiated at almost every meeting. On March, 23, 1925, Ruth Lord (Mansur) became the second Worthy Advisor as she and her suite of Officers were installed. How busy those girls must have been as they exemplified the work for Eastern Star Chapters: May 4 in Penacook, May 5 in Manchester, May 9 they attended the laying of the cornerstone for the new Masonic Temple (where we meet presently), May 22 in Nashua, June 2 in Laconia, June 8 in Franklin.
A New England Grand Assembly was formed in Boston which Concord Assembly voted to join.
On September 16, 1925 the Officers of Concord Assembly exemplified their degrees before the Grand Chapter of New Hampshire, Order of the Eastern Star, in Manchester. On October 2, 1925, Concord girls went to Portsmouth and instituted Portsmouth Assembly No. 2 and initiated a class of forty. On October 15, they did the degree work in Rochester and on October 27 the New England Grand Assembly was held in Boston with three Concord girls as Grand Officers. On January 11, 1926, Concord Assembly helped to institute Laconia Assembly No. 3 and on February 4, 1926 instituted Manchester Assembly No. 4 and initiated a class of one hundred four. This began a very busy but interesting life of service for Concord Rainbow Girls and the Rainbow Girls of New Hampshire.
The first Supreme Deputy was Mrs. Mary Senior Brown, Past Grand Matron on NH, appointed in June 1935 and elected to the House of Gold on June 20, 1946. She was appointed Supreme Drill Leader on September 16, 1948 and elected Supreme Faith on July 10, 1960, and advanced to the office of Supreme Worthy Associate Advisor. She passed away on April 17, 1966.
The Grand Assembly of New Hampshire was organized in 1941 under Mary Senior Brown, Supreme Deputy. Mrs. Celia M. Howard succeeded Mrs. Brown as Supreme Deputy in New Hampshire in 1966, and held that post until 1990 when Mrs. Meredith (Stout) Ritchie was appointed to replace her. Mrs. Ritchie was the first Past Grand Worthy Advisor of New Hampshire to be so honored. Mrs. Ritchie became Supreme Inspector and member of the House of Gold at the 75th Anniversary Supreme Sessions in St. Louis, July 1998. The jurisdiction was honored to have Miss Marsha (Lapierre) Hotchkiss serve as the Acting Supreme Worthy Advisor at the 75th Anniversary sessions. Mrs. Kristen L. Cadwallader succeeded Mrs. Ritchie as Supreme Deputy for the jurisdiction in July 2000 and presided until July 2005. Mrs. Catherine G. Morrison succeeded Mrs. Cadwallader in 2005 and presided over NH Rainbow until July 2008.
Our current Supreme Deputy is Mrs. Joan L. Smith.
Click here to see a list of Past Grand Worthy Advisors.
For our Supreme Deputy and Past Supreme Deputies/Inspectors Biographies, Click here.
At one time, there were twenty-eight active assemblies in the Jurisdiction, but New Hampshire, like many others, has lost assemblies. There are now eight active assemblies in the state of New Hampshire.
