Female Freemasons: Gender, Democracy and Fraternalism

Abstract

Voluntary and nongovernmental associations are getting increased attention as part of popular culture: world of ideas, civil society is hot. It is almost impossible to read an article on foreign or domestic politics without coming across some mention of concept.... At heart of concept of civil society lie `intermediate institutions,' private groups that thrive between realm of state and of family.' There is little doubt that building of social trust through fostering of voluntary organizations is contributory to democracy, and to gender freedom: In a society that is looking for alternatives to a way of life dominated by corporations and state, social movements suggest other choices. A network of organizations that encompass broad constituencies can change our understanding of what is possible and desirable. Little by little we can build a new political culture based on our own questions about existing order. Meeting human needs neglected by state and market is basis for social movements. By working together they promote positive change and stretch our understanding of democracy and justice. The values of everyday world, including friendship, respect and concern for others, combined with shared hopes and aspirations, and healthy does of courage and patience, characterize what is best about culture of social movements.2 The debate about contribution of intermediate organizations to democracy should also include a discussion of contribution of such organizations to gender issues. Certainly more attention is needed to role of nongovernmental organizations, including those for women.3 This includes not only business luncheon clubs but ritualistic secret societies. Contrary to claims of Professor Robert Putnam of Harvard, who argues that civic life is collapsing and has popularized phrase bowling alone, volunteerism remains a strong force in American culture. An estimated seventy percent of American population belong to at least one association and twenty-five percent belong to at least four.4 I came to know hundreds of people who found meaning and satisfaction in performing community services, wrote Stephen Bailey about his years of residence in Middletown, Connecticut: ...volunteer firemen, members of library boards, organizers of community chests and United Fund drives, hospital aides, readers for blind. These activities were frequently in addition to service on PTA committees or church boards and participation in service-club benefits for crippled....no reform of bureaucratic and political system can possibly obviate need for intimate expressions of caring that are associated with voluntary performance of works of obligation and service.5 There has been little discussion despite this revival of interest in volunteerism of place that oldest of voluntary international societies, Freemasons, might have in years ahead either on democratization or gender viz culture. The generally held opinion is that Freemasonry is an adamantly male institution, but historically that is untrue. Those who claim, to intense irritation of some Masons, that women were involved in very beginnings of Masonry have substantial evidence to sustain their position. There is, for example, a record from 1408 where newly initiated Masons swore to obey the Master, or Dame, or any other ruling Freemason. In records of Lodge of Mary's Chapel in Edinburgh, dated 1683, lodge was actually presided over by a Dame or Mistress. The records of Grand Lodge of York in 1693 speak about male and female initiates.6 By eighteenth century anecdotes about women Masons take on a different tone. The women now are interlopers who become Masons by accident and are made members to protect secrets. A woman who found out secrets by spying was initiated in a lodge in English town of Barking in 1714. …