International Association of Rebekah Assemblies

Daughters of Rebekah
FoundedSeptember 20, 1851; 173 years ago (1851-09-20)
TypeSororal and service organization
Headquarters422 Trade Street
Location
Websitewww.ioof.org
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The Daughters of Rebekah, also known as the Rebekahs and the International Association of Rebekah Assemblies, is an international service-oriented organization and a branch of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. As the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Rebekahs began as an all-white organization, typical at the time, that purported to promote reciprocity and charity, and drew inspiration from Judeo-Christian ethics.

The Independent Order of Odd Fellows originally limited membership to white men only, as was typical at the time; the Rebekahs began as the female auxiliary of the IOOF.[1] Initially, only relatives such as wives or daughters of IOOF members were admitted as members.

Currently, both the IOOF and the Rebekahs admit both female and male members.[2] Women today need not be related to an Odd Fellow to be a member of the Rebekahs. As long as she meets the moral, ethical and age requirement for admission, any woman may join. In most jurisdictions, women aged 16 or 18 years old and above can join a Rebekah Lodge.[3]

An 1898 print depicting various themes related to the work of the Rebekah Lodges.
Schuyler Colfax, U.S. Vice-President from March 4, 1869 – March 4, 1873.
  1. ^ "A Grand Gathering, but One With a Solemn Note". New York Times. August 26, 2007. As with most matters of Odd Fellowship, nearly every aspect of the annual convention of the Sovereign Grand Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows must adhere to protocol. The dais for the officers' banquet, for example, must be two-tiered and able to accommodate 50 people, high-ranking on the bottom, even higher-ranking on the top. Seats for the sovereign grand master, the deputy sovereign grand master, the sovereign grand warden, the sovereign grand secretary and the sovereign grand treasurer. Seats for the leaders of the two uniformed branches, the Patriarchs Militant and its Ladies Auxiliaries. A seat for the president of the International Association of Rebekah Assemblies, established when the Odd Fellows long ago recognized "the need for a woman's touch."
  2. ^ Grand Lodge I.O.O.F. of Texas. A charitable organization in Corsicana, Texas
  3. ^ Membership Product 2