Mason's Rainbow for Girls

I don't know about the Sixties but in the late 1970's, my BFF was in Rainbow Girls and so I got to participate in some of their activities. They had a lot of slumber parties that were fun and informal but they also had some events that were dress-up formal.

Fund-raisers, the usual. Car washes. Bake sales. There were also boy-girl parties and dances, with the DeMolay (organization for boys, affiliated with the Masons.)

We went roller-skating (skating, no roller-blades yet) and bowling. We also had to change our dress-code rules. Because mini-skirts were de rigeur (even older women were adopting them by the late 60's), our white dresses got shorter and shorter. (Rainbow girls at meetings wear white dresses.) The women who advised us (member of Eastern Star) made us wear floor-length white gowns. They didn't think the mini-skirt look was appropriate for a religious organization.

The only way to get 'into Rainbow' was to have a male relative who was a Mason. My grandfather was a Mason, so tada, I was in.

But I didn't like it and dropped out after about a year.

They also took trips. I remember, in about 1960, my aunt came on a bus with a bunch of other Rainbows from AZ to FL. I have no idea why, maybe a convention? But we drove from southern GA down to Tallahasee to see her. She would have been around 17.

MM

The induction ceremony was huge, ponderous, involving a secret knock to get past the 'gatekeeper' (doorkeeper? Everyone had a special name), then being escorted around a huge room and meeting people sitting in large chairs like thrones. The top dog (girl) was Worthy Advisor, then she had an assistant, and there were other categories, of which I have forgotten the names.

You walked around and listened to people and the girls in the choir sang now and then and it was like being in another world. I wondered why I joined. I really do. I was never much of a joiner and when I learned about their somewhat racist policies (this is the 60's), I quit. When I mentioned this to my mother, she said I quit because I didn't like it.

Yeah, I said, that's why I didn't like it.

Edit. I do want to say that now they allow all religions and races, and this change happened shortly after I left the group. Perhaps these rules weren't nationwide; I don't know. I learned about them when a girl from a nearby city wanted to join, as there was no chapter in her city. She wasn't allowed and the adults had a hard time explaining why. I think they were as uncomfortable about the 'policy' as we girls were.

Folio,

You're not supposed to talk or write about the induction ceremony. These are basically 'secret' societies or private organizations. (Masons, Eastern Star, DeMolay and Rainbow.) But if I remembered it all, I'd send it to you or write it here.

You could google it. I'm sure somewhere out there has it all over her blog.

If you are still interested in this topic , I am a majority Rainbow Girl that joined 30 years ago. I would be willing to answer any questions about the organization that you have .

Long white is a decision that is usually made at the state level not the assembly level . All of the girls in your state were probably wearing long white gowns to meetings.

jaksen said:

The induction ceremony was huge, ponderous, involving a secret knock to get past the 'gatekeeper' (doorkeeper? Everyone had a special name), then being escorted around a huge room and meeting people sitting in large chairs like thrones. The top dog (girl) was Worthy Advisor, then she had an assistant, and there were other categories, of which I have forgotten the names.

You walked around and listened to people and the girls in the choir sang now and then and it was like being in another world. I wondered why I joined. I really do. I was never much of a joiner and when I learned about their somewhat racist policies (this is the 60's), I quit. When I mentioned this to my mother, she said I quit because I didn't like it.
Edit. I do want to say that now they allow all religions and races, and this change happened shortly after I left the group. Perhaps these rules weren't nationwide; I don't know. I learned about them when a girl from a nearby city wanted to join, as there was no chapter in her city. She wasn't allowed and the adults had a hard time explaining why. I think they were as uncomfortable about the 'policy' as we girls were.

Click to expand...

Yeah, I said, that's why I didn't like it.

the Initiation , not induction...gatekeeper ? Confidential and outer observers . Worthy Advisor , Worthy Associate Advisor , Charity , Hope , Faith , Love , Religion, Nature, Immortality, Fidelity, Patriotism, and Service ( red, orange , yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet) , Drill Leader, Flag Bearer, Secretary, Treasurer, Choir Director , Mother Advisor

Wow, this thread is 2 years old. Appreciate your willingness to input RainbowMGCC, but I think it's unlikely to be helpful. Foliogal, if you want to continue the discussion, please PM me.