History of Rainbow in our Jurisdiction!
Beginning of Rainbow:
The idea for the order of the Rainbow for Girls originated with, and the Ritual was written be Rev. W. Mark Sexson, a Minister in the First Christian Church, a Past Grand Master and a Past Grand Patron (in Oklahoma).
W Mark Sexson was born in Missouri July 8, 1877. As a Rainbow Girl we recognize this day each year as the Founder's birthday. W Mark Sexson became a Master Mason in Indiana, achieved the 32nd degree of the Scottish Rite in Oklahoma, was a Royal arch Mason, Grotto member, Past Worthy Grand Patron of the Order of the Eastern Star and a member of KNights' Templar. He served as Grand Chaplain, Grand Orator, Junior Warden, Senior Warden and the Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Grand Lodge. He died in McAlester, Oklahoma on December 20, 1953 after a short illness.
The First Assembly was in McAlester, Oklahoma with 171 members, and instituted on April 6, 1922. McAlester is the present headquarters of the I.O.R.G.
Rainbow Comes to Washington:
The first Assembly was Yakima, instituted August 3, 1922 with 40 names on charter.
Anthony J. Swindle was appointed Deputy of the Supreme Assembly in November, 1923, with the institution of Tacoma Assembly. One year later (1924) he was made Supreme Deputy and in 1927 he became Supreme Inspector and Supreme Confidential Observer.
The first Grand Assembly was held in Tacoma in June 1927, with 22 assemblies. Rev. W. Mark Sexson was present. Hazel Gowdy (Alexander), W.A. of Yakima No. 1, was chosen to preside at this Grand Assembly and was declared a P.G.W.A. Margaret Alleman (Kenrick) was elected the first G.W.A. to serve a full year. The first Grand Representatives were appointed in 1931.
Washington adds Idaho and Territory of Alaska:
The Territory of Alaska was invited to join Washington Grand Assembly in 1937 and became part of this jurisdiction in 1938. Dates and title of our Grand Jurisdiction:
Washington 1927-1938
Washington and Territory of Alaska 1938-1943
Washington, Idaho & Territory of Alaska 1943-1958
Washington, Idaho & Alaska 1958-1962
Washington & Idaho 1962 to present
Mr. Swindle appointed Mrs. Dora M. Sweeney (Juneau), first Grand Deputy in Alaska (1946) and Mrs. Robert Parkins (Anchorage) was appointed a Grand Deputy in Western Alaska by Mrs. Kenrick in 1958.
In June 1962, two sets of Grand Officers were installed at Grand Assembly in Spokane, and Alaska formed its own Grand Assembly. Mr. Parkins became Supreme Deputy and later Supreme Inspector and Supreme Outer Observer.
Idaho became a part of our jurisdiction in 1943. Kellogg Assembly was the first constituted assembly in the state.
Current Washington Leadership:
-Mr. Anthony J. Swindle was the Supreme Inspector of Washington until his passing in 1954.
-Mrs. Margaret Alleman Kenrick (Eddie) was the first elected G.W.A. (1927-1928). She served as secretary to Mrs. Swindle (1928-1936), Executive Secretary (1936-1954), Supreme Deputy (1954-1964), and Supreme Inspector (1964-1988). She is the only past Grand Worthy Advisor to serve as the Supreme Worthy Advisor of the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls (1994-1996). Her service and dedication to the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls will always be remembered. Mrs. Kenrick passed away in early 2004.
-Mrs. Alice Yoder (George) served as a Mother Advisor and District Grand Deputy prior to her appointment as Supreme Deputy for Washington/Idaho in 1988. She became a Supreme Inspector when elected to the House of Gold in 1994 in Baltimore, MD., and was appointed Supreme Confidential Observer at Supreme Assembly in 1996 in Seattle, Washington. She passed away in March 2004 of cancer.
-Mrs. Barbara Weedin Brown (Robert) joined Rainbow at the invitation of a friend. She presided as Worthy Advisor of Aloha Assembly #77 and received Grand Cross designation from “Daddy” Swindle in January 1951, the same year she held the office of Grand Lecturer. In 1972 she was installed as Mother Advisor and in 1979 became the Director of Grand Officers. She held that position until June 1995 when she was appointed as acting Supreme Deputy. She was installed as Supreme Deputy at Supreme Assembly in Seattle, Washington in June 1996. In July 2002 she was elected to the House of Gold as Supreme Inspector during Supreme Sessions in Orlando, Florida. She was appointed the office of Supreme Fidelity from 2004-2006. She is now serving as Supreme Religion from 2010-2012.
HISTORY - INTERNATIONAL RAINBOW
I. International Ruling Body - House of Gold
Membership - The House of Gold consists of 50 members or less. It is comprised of Supreme Inspectors, Supreme Officers, Past Supreme Inspectors and Past Supreme Officers. A new member must receive a unanimous vote for membership. Members are voted for life. Supreme officers consist of five (5) Line Officers, seven (7) Rays, Drill Leader, Parliamentarian, Recorder, Treasurer, Confidential Observer and Outer Observer.
Meetings - The House of Gold meets three (3) days prior to Supreme Assembly. This meeting is open only to members of the House of Gold. Supreme Assembly convenes during the last week of July every 2 years. Supreme Officers perform the memorial Service and Grand Worthy Advisors are selected as “Acting” Supreme Officers for the open sessions.
II. State Organization
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Headed by Supreme Deputy (if he or she is a member of the House of Gold, the title is “Supreme Inspector”).
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A Supreme Deputy is appointed if the present leader resigns.
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There are 51 Supreme Inspectors and Supreme Deputies in the world.
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House of Gold grants permission to set up a Grand Assembly. There must be at least seven (7) assemblies and the Supreme Inspector feels they are large enough to be independent.
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Grand Officers are selected and appointed by the Supreme Deputy (or Inspector). Some Jurisdictions elect the five (5) line officers by a majority vote.
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The Grand Assembly meets each year and is run according to the desires of the Supreme Officer in conformity with the Grand Assembly by-laws.
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There are Rainbow assemblies in 45 states. There are none in Utah, Delaware, South Dakota or Wyoming. Others are located in Australia, Germany, Japan, Philippines, Canada, Panama, and Brazil.