NJ Rainbow - Strong since 1923!On April 6, 1922 the first Rainbow Assembly was instituted in McAlester Oklahoma. Rev. W. Mark Sexson, the founder of our order witnessed a class of 171 girls be initiated that day. This important event made the newspapers in New Jersey and caught the attention of Mrs. Francis C. Black. She wrote to Rev. Sexson, and after reviewing the materials he sent, she concluded that Rainbow would be a wonderful organization for the girls of New Jersey. She began to contact influential Masonic and Eastern Star members for support. She was commissioned a Deputy in 1922 and on February 13, 1923, 175 girls were initiated into Newark Assembly #1. Rev. Sexson was in attendance on that day. Mrs. Black later instituted assemblies in New York, Pennsylvania and Maryland. During her service to Rainbow, Mrs. Black was appointed a Supreme Inspector. She resigned on December 31, 1964 due to failing health. She was called home on January 5, 1966.
Mrs. Elizabeth H. Repka was appointed Supreme Deputy on January 1, 1965. On July 19, 1976 she was elected Supreme Inspector and Member of the House of Gold. God blessed her as she worked for the order in love and service. She resigned on December 13, 1981 and was called home the next day.
Mrs. Agnes McLeod, Supreme Worthy Advisor, appointed Mrs. Florence R. Hughes as Supreme Deputy in New Jersey on December 14, 1981. Mrs. Hughes had been active in our order for many years, having been a member as a girl, later a Mother Advisor and Grand Deputy. On July 26, 1988, Mrs. Hughes was elected a Supreme Inspector and Member of the House of Gold, and later was Supreme Chaplain. Mrs Hughes brought the Pledge Program to New Jersey. She served our order with love and resigned on December 31, 1999.
On January 1, 2000, Miss Kathleen Nase was appointed Supreme Deputy. She has served our order for many years as a Mother Advisor, Grand Deputy, member of the Adult Grand Assembly Executive Committee, State Mother Advisor and State Pledge Director. In July 2008, Miss NAse was elected Supreme Inspector and a member of the House of Gold. May she be surrounded by guardian angels as she continues to serve.
New Jersey Rainbow has 9 active assemblies and 3 active pledge groups. Our membership is growing. We have 4 assemblies that are reforming. Anyone interested in becoming a member can e-mail this web site for more information. To see where the assemblies are located, click on the map link below.
Map
NJ Supreme Deputies/Inspectors
- Mrs. Francis C. Black, Supreme Deputy/Inspector 1922-1964
- Mrs. Elizabeth H. Repka, Supreme Deputy/Inspector 1965-1981
- Mrs. Florence R. Hughes, Supreme Deputy/Inspector 1981-1999
- Miss Kathleen Nase, Supreme Deputy/Inspector 2000-present
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Email: NJ_IORG@lycos.com