DOCSLIB.ORG

African American Fraternal Organizations: Fostering Leadership and Civic Engagement Samantha Martin History of African American Fraternal Organizations

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
African American Fraternal Organizations: Fostering Leadership and Civic Engagement Samantha Martin History of African American Fraternal Organizations African American Fraternal Organizations: Fostering Leadership and Civic Engagement Samantha Martin History of African American Fraternal Organizations . Fraternal organizations began to gain popularity in the United States during the American Revolutionary period . The oldest African American fraternal organization is the Prince Hall Masonic Order which was founded in 1787 as African Lodge No. 459 . African American fraternal organizations continued to develop as centers of camaraderie in the face of segregation and discrimination . Thousands of “old line societies” and “benevolent societies” were founded during Reconstruction . From 1915-1920 membership began to decline due to the rise of voluntary groups such as social and civic clubs and business and professional organizations African American Fraternal Organizations . Prince Hall Masonic Order-1787 . Grand United Order of Odd Fellows in America-1843 . Knights of Pythias of North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa-1869 . Mosaic Templars of America-1882 . Improved Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the World-1897 . Prince Hall Order of the Eastern Star-1874 . Daughters of the Improved Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the World-1907 Image courtesy of National Afro- American Museum & Cultural Center Significance of African American Fraternal Organizations . The existence of these organizations: . Provided vital academic, social, and economic support for their communities . Provided mutual aid and protection in the form of burial insurance, food for the needy, and scholarships . Fostered solidarity, built identity, and encouraged collective action . Provided a venue for the development of civic skills and a social sensibility that translated into community service and political activism Black Greek-Letter Organizations (BGLO’s) . Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity-1906 . Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority-1908 . Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity-1911 . Omega Psi Phi Fraternity-1911 . Delta Sigma Thea Sorority-1913 . Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity-1914 . Zeta Phi Beta Sorority-1920 . Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority-1922 . Iota Phi Theta Fraternity-1963 Significance of Black Greek-Letter Organizations . During the early 1900s, when many of these BGLO’s were founded, African Americans were not allowed, or could not afford an education. BGLO’s were created to unite African American students with common ideas and principles and to provide support and community . Today, these organizations claim approximately 800,000 members . They continue to promote personal excellence and civic action by offering scholarships and conducting service programs Local Leaders – 1 James Dunn Hazey P. Loritts Local Leaders – 2 Mrs. Edith Hodge John Henderson, Sr. Source: Dayton’s African American Heritage by Margaret Peters Public History Leaders – 1 .Arturo Alfonso Schomburg Public History Leaders - 2 .C.J. McLin, Jr. Public History Leaders – 3 .Carter G. Woodson Public History Leaders – 4 .Charles H. Wesley Public History Leaders – 5 .Omega Psi Phi Images courtesy of the National Park Service.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Phi Beta Delta and Rituals' Rewards
    International Research and Review, Journal of Phi Beta Delta Honor Society Volume 9, Number 1, Fall 2019 for International Scholars Editor's Note: The following article is reprinted (with updated format and editing) from the archives of the Phi Beta Delta International Review, Volume VII, Spring 1998, pp. 75-86. The International Review is the predecessor of the current publication. It is re-printed here to provide international educators with an historical view of scholarship on honor societies. Phi Beta Delta and Rituals’ Rewards Guillermo De Los Reyes University of Houston Paul Rich Policy Studies Organization The growth of Phi Beta Delta cannot be attributed to any one cause. World interest in globalization and in cultural and education exchanges, along with the happy coincidence of a number of enthusiastic leaders, is certainly part of the explanation. However, it was the decision that it should be a Greek honorary society with the accompanying rituals of the Greek tradition which was a fateful for its success.1 Injunctions to chapters to have a meaningful induction ceremony take on more weight when Phi Beta Delta is put into historic perspective as an organization with ritual - not an enormous amount, but then, like garlic, a little goes a long way. Although Greek academic societies are not nearly as concerned with ritual as are other ritualistic organizations such as, the Freemans, the Shriners, or the DeMolay, their success owes something to the medals, mottos and shields. What would Phi Beta Kappa be without its key? Organizations with ritual often fare better than those without. It is an unpleasant corollary, but makes the point, to recall that the segregationist White Citizens’ Councils members with their business suits never achieved the success of the Ku Klux Klan with its hoods and flowing robes.
    [Show full text]
  • Liberty Hall (Odd Fellows Hall) Individual Landmark Designation Report Louisville Metro Historic Landmarks and Preservation Districts Commission
    Liberty Hall (Odd Fellows Hall) Individual Landmark Designation Report Louisville Metro Historic Landmarks and Preservation Districts Commission November 19, 2020 Liberty Hall (Odd Fellows Building) Individual Landmark Designation Report 20-LANDMARK-0001 Table of Contents Case Information ........................................................................................................................... 2 Individual Landmark ............................................................................................................... 2 20-LANDMARK-0001 .............................................................................................................. 2 Location ..................................................................................................................................... 3 Building Description, Current ................................................................................................. 4 Physical Context .......................................................................................................................11 Archaeology .................................................................................................................................. 14 History of Liberty Hall (Odd Fellows Building) ......................................................................... 14 Historic Significance.................................................................................................................... 20 Fraternal Organizations in Louisville ..................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Mystery and Benevolence
    MYSTERY AND BENEVOLENCE MASONIC AND ODD FELLOWS FOLK ART FROM THE KENDRA AND ALLAN DANIEL COLLECTION A K–12 Teacher’s Guide AMERICAN FOLK ART MUSEUM 2 LINCOLN SQUARE, NEW YORK CITY (COLUMBUS AVE. BETWEEN 65TH AND 66TH STS.) WWW.FOLKARTMUSEUM.ORG MYSTERY AND BENEVOLENCE: MASONIC AND ODD FELLOWS FOLK ART FROM THE KENDRA AND ALLAN DANIEL COLLECTION A K–12 Teacher’s Guide AMERICAN FOLK ART MUSEUM Education Department 2 Lincoln Square (Columbus Avenue between 65th and 66th Streets) New York, NY 10023 212. 595. 9533, ext. 381 [email protected] www.folkartmuseum.org First edition © 2016 CONTENTS Development Team 3 About the Exhibition 4 Educator’s Note 5 How to Use This Guide 6 Teaching from Images and Objects 7 New York State Learning Standards 9 Lesson Plans MASONIC APPLIQUÉ QUILT 11 MASONIC SIGN AND CHEST LID WITH MASONIC PAINTING 15 INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS TRACING BOARD AND ODD FELLOWS PAPER CUT 21 MARIE-HENRIETTE HEINIKEN (MME. DE XAINTRAILLES) (?–1818) 27 FRATERNAL APRON 31 Masonic Symbol Glossary 35 Resources 37 Visiting the American Folk Art Museum 38 DEVELOPMENT TEAM Project Director Rachel Rosen Director of Education, American Folk Art Museum, New York Principal Writer Nicole Haroutunian Educator and Writer, New York Exhibition Co-curators Stacy C. Hollander Deputy Director for Curatorial Affairs, Chief Curator, and Director of Exhibitions, American Folk Art Museum, New York Aimee E. Newell Director of Collections, Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library, Lexington, MA Editorial & Design Staff Megan Conway Director of Publications and Website, American Folk Art Museum, New York Kate Johnson Graphic Designer and Production Manager, American Folk Art Museum, New York Photography All photos by José Andrés Ramírez Cover Image: Independent Order of Odd fellows Inner Guard Robe (detail), the Ward-Stilson Company, New London, Ohio, 1875–1925, velvet, cotton, and metal, 37 x 23 in., American Folk Art Museum, gift of Kendra and Allan Daniel, 2015.1.153.
    [Show full text]
  • The Pennsylvania Odd Fellow and Rebekah Magazine the P ,N NSYLVA N IA O D D J:- E L LO\\ Ugusl 1999
    L August 1999 The Pennsylvania Odd Fellow and Rebekah Magazine THE P ,N NSYLVA N IA O D D J:- E L LO\\ ugUSl 1999 The GR AND LODGE OFF CERS Nevin W, Adams .. PENNSYLVANIA 1083 Shoemakersville Rd .. Sh maker. I Robert P. Stanley.... .. ...... ..... ... ... Grund Master ODD FELLOW 112 Ni ss ley Dr., Middletown, P \ 1- I Reginald Cook ..... and Rebekah Magazine 140 lunewood Drive, Levillowll. Willis G, Robinson .. .. .. MEMBER OF THE 1001 W. Harrisburg Pike, Middletown, P INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS Richard L. Hefllier ... ~nternlltionnJ lfIre~s f-.ssocilltion 8 Third St. , Dillsburg, PA 170 19. 71 7--1~~-4~ Ernest L. Nelson .. ... ................... " ....... .. "...... ... G (USPS 426-500) 81l Wyoming Ave., Erie, Pi\ 16505, 814-, 3_~ Vol. 74 No.8 Robert J. Love ................... ... " G'-:lIld ""Illative 2815 Kathy St., Library, PA 15t29, 412-8.1.1 -0 1<J1 Alton G. Arnold, .. .Ir. Pa t rand Master Published in the City of Middletown, PA monthly by RD S, Box 49, Montrose, PA 1880, 570-278-1274 THE GRAND LODGE OF PENNSYLVANIA John E, Allemdinger ... Grand Map;h:l.l INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS 304 Machamer Road, Douglassvilk, PA 19518 1001 West Harrisburg Pike Donald R. Trulick , ." .. Grand Conduclor Middletown, PA 17057 161 Stover Road, Bellefonte, PA 16823 717-944-7419 John J. Dzyak Grand Chaplain R.D. 2, Box 191, Scottdale, PA 15683 WILLIS G. ROBINSON Robert E. Raffensbcrger . .. ... ,, " Grand Guardian Manager - Editor 4775 N. Sherman Street, Box 334, Mt. Wolf, PA 17347 Gary D, Thiele. ".. Grand Herald 1001 West Harrisburg Pike 2905 Ellen Drive, Wil shire, West Lawn, PA 19609 Middletown, PA 17057 Marc Rosenwasser" ......
    [Show full text]
  • Masonic and Odd Fellows Halls (Left) on Main Street, Southwest Harbor, C
    Masonic and Odd Fellows Halls (left) on Main Street, Southwest Harbor, c. 1911 Knights ofPythias Hall, West Tremont Eden Parish Hall in Salisbury Cove, which may have been a Grange Hall 36 Fraternal Organizations on Mount Desert Island William J. Skocpol The pictures at the left are examples of halls that once served as centers of associational life for various communities on Mount Desert Island. Although built by private organizations, they could also be used for town meetings or other civic events. This article surveys four differ­ ent types of organizations on Mount Desert Island that built such halls - the Masons, Odd Fellows, Grange, and Knights of Pythias - plus one, the Independent Order of Good Templars, that didn't. The Ancient Free & Accepted Masons The Masons were the first, and highest status, of the "secret societies" present in Colonial America. The medieval guilds of masons, such as those who built the great cathedrals, were organized around a functional craft but also sometimes had "Accepted" members who shared their ide­ als and perhaps contributed to their wealth. As the functional work de­ clined, a few clusters of ''Accepted" masons carried on the organization. From these sprang hundreds of lodges throughout the British Isles, well documented by the early 1700s. The first lodge in Massachusetts (of which Maine was then a part) was founded at Boston in 1733, and the ensuing Provincial Grand Lodge chartered the Falmouth Lodge in 1769. Another Grand Lodge in Boston with roots in Scotland chartered the second Maine Lodge, War­ ren Lodge in Machias, in 1778. Its charter was signed by Paul Revere.
    [Show full text]
  • Symbolic Expressions of the Masons and Odd Fellows from the American Folk Art Museum
    Mysteryand Benevolence Symbolic Expressions of the Masons and Odd Fellows from the American Folk Art Museum TRAVELING EXHIBITION SERVICE Mysteryand Benevolence Masonic and Odd Fellows Folk Art The enigmatic objects on view assume a profound and affecting sincerity, even as their highly charged imagery fascinates, puzzles, and compels. ystical, evocative, and sometimes simply strange, the art of M fraternal practice is rich in symbols that are oddly familiar yet strikingly uncommon. Through arcane and alluring artifacts, Mystery and Benevolence brings to light the histories of the Freemasons and the Independent Order of the Odd Fellows, two fraternal secret societies with deep roots in American history. The almost two hundred carvings, textiles, sculptures, and adornments that constitute this exhibition were used from the late eighteenth through mid-twentieth centuries, and retain their clandestine allure to this day. Whether regarded as “secret societies” or “societies with secrets,” American fraternal groups arouse endless curiosity about their ceremonies, ritualized performances, and recitations. These practices, many borrowed and adapted from ancient Egypt and biblical Christianity, are kept hidden from outsiders, and lend an aura of exclusivity and brotherhood to its members. The “mystery and privilege” of these brotherhoods are also transmitted through secret systems of hand grips, gestures, and passwords that are thought to originate in the Middle Ages. Cryptic symbols, hieroglyphs, rituals, and vows of secrecy cloak fraternal orders
    [Show full text]
  • J. A. White P. O'malley &
    Oil Business (Cont'd) Organizations—Charitable SEARS ROEBUCK AND CO 479 Exchange AMERICAN RED CROSS GENEVA CHAP- 46635 TER 380 Main 46379 *SIGWALD—Lewis Oil Burner Htg Sery 158 GENEVA COMMUNITY CHEST 380 Main West 42309 42439 WHITE .1 A HTG SERV 65 Cherry 42491 National Catholic Community Sery 107 Seneca Organizations-Civic GENEVA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 4731/2 (475) Exchange 42716 J. A. WHITE Geneva Historical Soc 501 Main Geneva Industries Inc 473 1/2 (475) Exchange FLUID HEAT AND ABC OIL BURNERS Geneva Kiwanis Club Seneca Hotel CONVERSION BURNERS OR Geneva Rotary Club Seneca Hotel Geneva Visiting Nurses Sery 36 Seneca COMPLETE UNITS Manufacturers Div Chamber of Commerce 4731/2 65 CHERRY PHONE (475) Exchange 2491 Restaurant Div Chamber of Commerce 473% (475) Exchange Retail Merchants Div Chamber of Commerce Operating Companies Hotel 473% (475) Exchange Geneva Hotel Co 531 Exchange Social Sery League 5% (5) Seneca United Sery Organs Club Nat'l Catholic Com. munity Sery Operating Agcy 107 Seneca Operating Companies—Publishing YOUNG MENS CHRISITIAN ASSN 80 Castle Geneva Ptg Co 53 Seneca 42311-46563-42424 42143 Ophthalmologists Organizations—Fraternal ABBOTT H B 574 Main 46243 Ark Lodge No 33 F & A M Masonic Temple Benevolent Protective Order of Elks 459 Main ABBOTT R A 574 Main 46243 Molay Masonic FAIRFAX KENNETH T 423 Main 47257 Geneva Chap Order of De Temple Geneva Chap No 36 R A M Masonic Temple Optical Goods Manufacturers Geneva Chap No 83 0 E S Masonic Temple Geneva Commandery No 29 K T Masonic Temple SHURON OPTICAL CO 172 Lyceum 42351
    [Show full text]
  • Current Scholarships at HHS 2/15/2017 Name Description
    Current Scholarships at HHS 2/15/2017 Name Description Sponsor/Website Amount Deadline File # Students must have a 3.5 GPA and plan to attend one Varies by college:Min. of the following colleges: UMASS Lowell, RIT, WACE: WACE Scholarships $6,000 per year (renewable 15-Feb #9 Wentworth, Clarkson, Drexel, Johnson & Wales, http://www.waceinc.org/scholarship/index.html for 4 years) Merrimack, Oswego, U of Toledo, or U of Cincinnati Students grades 9-12. Write an essay based on the Varsity Tutors Monthly https://www.varsitytutors.com/college- 15th of monthly prompt and promote your essay on social $1,000 per month #13 Essay Contest scholarship each month media. Graduating seniors or college students in Hampden Walter S. Barr The Horace Smith Fund: $2,500 per year (with a County. Application requires transcript, SAT scores, 1-Mar #21 Scholarship www.horacesmithfund.org maximum of four years) financial documents, references and an essay. Graduating seniors or college students in Hampden William R. Rooney County who were on an IEP for AT LEAST 2 years. The Horace Smith Fund: $2,500 per year (with a 1-Mar #22 Award Application requires transcript, SAT scores, financial www.horacesmithfund.org maximum of four years) documents, references and an essay. Seniors entering a nursing program in college. Kellie Hamrey Kenney Involved in extracurriculuar activities. Letters of rec http://www.teamkellie.com/Application.html $1,000 4-Mar #29 Scholarship and essay required. Any student (male or female) entering a program in Professional Women in construction, interior design, architecture, or Professional Women in Construction: $3,000 15-Mar #30 Construction Scholarship engineering (civil, mechanical, structural or electrical).
    [Show full text]
  • ICD 1919-20 Pt1.Pdf
    TOMPKINS COUNTY Navigatixi; A Sea Of Resources PUBLIC LIBRARY Title: Ithaca Directory 1919-20 Author: Call no. LH-CASE 974.7 Ithaca 1919-20 Owner: Ithaca - Tompkins County Public Library Assigned Branch: Ithaca - Tompkins County Public Library (TCPL) Collection: Local History (LH) Material type: Book Number of pages: 425 We wish to thank The History Center in Tompkins County for access to select Ithaca City Directory years in their collection for digitization Digitization of this material was made possible with a 2009 grant from the Park Foundation S"0 =* 3>==Z b-"=5w jr =o LU=^o ?===c =z LnSH = -< -J= ru== "0 =c Sen lj= =5 ^= =oo =3) S> =33 ___< LHREF 974.7 Ithaca 1919-20 Ithaca directory. Manning, US West Marketing TOMPKINS COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY Ithaca, N.Y. For Reference Not to be taken from this room BELL PHONE 1 54 ITHACA PHONE 238 F. D. GILBERT iFmteral Siminr 122 E. SENECA ST. ITHACA, N, Y. Cortland Specialty Co* ITHACA, N. Y. Independent Distributors of V. E. Hopper's Famous Gasoline and Kerosene Lubricating Oils and Grease Office and Storage Yard, West Port Street Ithaca 671 BOTH PHONES | Bell 347 F. A. TYLER, Manager CHAS. E. CORNELL, President G. M. TYLER, Treasurer The Cornell Transfer Co. General Carting and Baggage Heavy Teaming Automobile Delivery Main Office, 138 West State Street Both Phones Ithaca, N. Y. Crescent Auto Supply EVER-READY BATTERY SERVICE STATION FULL LINE OF FORD SUPPLIES MCCREARY AND THERMOID TIRES 6000 and 7500 Miles Guaranteed AUBURN SPARK PLUGS OILS AND GREASES 216 N. AURORA ST.
    [Show full text]
  • Jewish Fraternal Organizations of the Early 20Th Century Hal Bookbinder ([email protected])
    Jewish Fraternal Organizations of the early 20th Century Hal Bookbinder ([email protected]) Our ancestors created a wide variety of organizations to provide mutual support, from religious to social, educational, insurance and burial services. “Landsmanshaften” brought together individuals who came from the same town in Europe. Sometimes established as lodges of a fraternal organization, like the Independent Order, Sons of Jacob. These organizations paralleled existing American ones incorporating the pomp and secrecy of Masonry, Pythians and Odd Fellows. These organizations provided a safety net through life and health insurance and offered social opportunities to lead and to be recognized. Hundreds of thousands of our immigrant ancestors participated during the heyday of these organizations in the first half of the 20th century. Most were male-focused. Women participated through auxiliaries and occasionally fully independent orders. Understanding these organizations provides important insights into the lives of our immigrant ancestors. Over a score of major Jewish Fraternal Organizations were formed between 1840 and 1920, including American Star Order Independent Order Western Star Improved Order of B’nai B’rith (now, B'nai Independent Order, B’nai B’rith B'rith International) Independent Workmen’s Circle of America Independent Order Ahavas Israel Jewish National Workers’ Alliance of America Independent Order B’rith Abraham Kesher Shel Barzel Independent Order B’rith Sholom Order of B’rith Abraham Independent Order Free Sons of Israel Order of the Sons of Zion (now, “B’nai Zion”) Independent Order of American Israelites Order of the United Hebrew Brothers Independent Order of Free Sons of Judah Progressive Order of the West Independent Order of Sons of Abraham United Order of the True Sisters, Inc.
    [Show full text]
  • Moral Obligations of Odd Fellows?
    Independent Order of Odd Fellows Dedicated Members for Change November 8, 2014 Dear Dedicated Members for Change, Time to dip into our "philosophy bag". Brother Louie Sarmiento has submitted a well- researched article on the underpinnings of Odd Fellowship. St bottom, it asks the most basic question: "Why am I an Odd Fellows?" I submit that you can't be in a position to bring in new members to a Lodge unless you are solidly grounded in the reasons you joined and the reasons you remain an Odd Fellow. Further, Lodges have suffered due to the failure by some members to adhere to most basic principles of friendship, love and truth. In those Lodges, discord and disagreement is prevalent. It's pretty hard to bring new members into a Lodge which is striven by dissension. The article is lengthy, but thought-provoking. F - L - T Dave Rosenberg Deputy Grand Master ****************************************************************************** MORAL OBLIGATIONS OF ODD FELLOWS? Greetings! Another issue commonly observed among Odd Fellows and Rebekahs in North America is attitude (stripped away of the moral purposes of our Order). These are bickering and back- biting among members which has severed relationships among members as well as discouraged new members from staying or being involved with the Order. Having new members observe or witness this inner fighting and organizational politics within the Order gives Odd Fellowship a bad image to newer members as well as non-members who hear some of our members saying bad things about other members of our Order. If we read the roots of our Order, our purposes are not only brotherhood and charity but also "improving and elevating the character of mankind".
    [Show full text]
  • Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, Independent Order of Odd Fellows
    Vol. 79 October 2004 No. 10 PLACES TO GO - PEOPLE TO SEE GRAND MASTER'S VISITATIONS 2004 ~. OCTOBER *5aturday, 9th - Gr. Encampment Rally, Aluta ~"'~1 ... ' Saturday, 16th - Herman & Tamara Schlott Testimonial, . -- i -'.. 'I. State College Saturday, 23rd - UN Dinner and program at Walker Lodge #306 All PA delegates invited. ... ".. t'~~'~·r~.- ~\.J.i'~~l:(". ,~~( .~,~: ~\J I,', , \\\ I *Saturday, 23rd - Memorial Service and Dedication; 10:.00 AM. .J _ • • \, I' . NOVEMBER *Saturday, 6th - Fall Allstate Rally - •. *Saturday, 13th - P.M. & L.A.P.M. Rally DECEMBER . ~, Saturday, 11th - Philadelphia Orphans Home Meeting - :. *denotes furnished by Plannins Board August 20, 2004 - District #28, Adoniram #739. INSIDE THIS EDITION SharpsviUe Presents Awards Sovereign Grand Lodge Proposed Budget The Best Odd Fellow Mount Hor Lodge #736 Essay Contest August 19, 2004 - District #29, Edith #812. And so much more! more phows on page 11 2 THE PEN N S Y L V A N I A 0 0 0 F E LL 0 \ ' October 2004 The OFFICERS OF GRAND LODGE THOMAS J. McHUGH .......... ............ .... GRAND MASTER PO Box 594, Pittston, PA 18640 570·883·7762 [email protected] Pennsylvania JAMES E. BLANEY ..... .... H."" " "" DEPUTY GRAND MASTER 2689 Winchester Ave ., Philddelphid, PA 19152 215-677·8392 jimheddl 01 @dol.cam JOHN S. CUPP. H... __ G D WARDEN Odd Fellow 2 W. Mdin St., Suite 517, Uniontown, PA 15401 72443 8·9001 jcu pp@VerizolLnd WILLIAM L. LOCKE .. ....... GRAND SECRETARY and Rebekah Magazine 1001 W. Hd rrisb urg Pike, Middletown. PA 17057 717·944·7419 ioofpaglsecty@m,n .com (USPS 426-500) RICHARD L HEFFNER .... ... ... GR AND TREASURER 8 S.
    [Show full text]