From: cyronwode@aol.com (Cyronwode)
Newsgroups: alt.freemasonry
Subject: Re: Is Masonry restricted to males
Date: 1 Jun 1995 01:47:35 -0400
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>broth@mitre.org (Brian D. Roth) said:
>
>I see a lot of reference to "my brother", etc.  This seems to indicate 
>that women are not allowed into Freemasonry.  Is this true?
The following may be of interest in answer to this question:

====================CO-MASONRY================

Can women be Masons?

The answer is YES.

To understand the role of women in Masonry, it is necessary to go back into the history of the fraternity, and to distinguish the rare and exceptional female Masons from the order of Co-Masonsry, which routinely admits both male and female members.

Over the course of centuries, there have been a few women made Masons in all-male lodges. Almost invariably, these were women who somehow overheard the rituals and were admitted to the Craft. The most famous (and best-documented) of these women was Mrs. Aldworth, made a Mason in the 1700s.

Here is a brief account of her Masonic career, as written in 1920 by Dudley Wright and posted to the internet in 1994 by William Maddox.

WOMEN FREEMASONS

BY BRO. DUDLEY WRIGHT, ENGLAND
THE BUILDER, August 1920

Although the Antient Charges forbid the admission or initiation of women into the Order of Free and Accepted Masons, there are known instances where as the result of accident or sometimes design the rule has been broken and women have been duly initiated. The most prominent instance is that of the Hon. Elizabeth St. Leger, or, as she afterwards became, on marriage, the Hon. Mrs. Aldworth, who is referred to sometimes, though erroneously, as the "only woman who over obtained the honour of initiation into the sublime mysteries of Freemasonry."

The Hon. Elizabeth St. Leger was a daughter of the first Viscount Doneraile, a resident of Cork. Her father was a very zealous Freemason and, as was the custom in his time -- the early part of the eighteenth century - held an occasional lodge in his own house, when he was assisted by members of his own family and any brethren in the immediate neighbourhood and visitors to Doneraile House. This lodge was duly warranted and held the number 150 on the Register of the Grand Lodge of Ireland.

The story runs that one evening previous to the initiation of a gentleman named Coppinger, Miss St. Leger hid herself in the room adjoining the one used as a lodgeroom. This room was at that time undergoing some alterations and Miss St. Leger is said to have removed a brick from the partition with her scissors and through the aperture thus created witnessed the ceremony of initiation. What she saw appears to have disturbed her so thoroughly that she at once determined upon making her escape, but failed to elude the vigilance of the tyler, who, armed with a sword stood barring her exit. Her shrieks alarmed the members of the lodge, who came rushing to the spot, when they learned that she had witnessed the whole of the ceremony which had just been enacted. After a considerable discussion and yielding to the entreaties of her brother it was decided to admit her into the Order and she was duly initiated, and, in course of time, became the Master of the lodge.

According to Milliken, the Irish Masonic historian, she was initiated in Lodge No. 95, which still meets at Cork, but there is no record extant of her reception into the Order. It is, however, on record that she was a subscriber to the Irish Book of Constitutions, which appeared in 1744 and that she frequently attended, wearing her Masonic regalia, entertainments that were given under Masonic auspices for the benefit of the poor and distressed. She afterwards married Mr. Richard Aldworth of Newmarket and when she died she was accorded the honour of a Masonic burial. She was cousin to General Antony St. Leger, of Park Hill, near Doncaster, who, in 1776, instituted the celebrated Doncaster St. Leger races and stakes.

For a picture of Elizabeth Aldworth dressed in her Masonic regalia, see Robert Freke Gould's "Concise History of Freemasonry." The original from which this engraving was made is a portrait painting in the possession of her descendents.

Other examples of females in Masonry followed the pattern set by Aldworth, until the advent of Co-Masonry. Again, here is a brief history as supplied by Brother Wright and posted to the internet by Brother Maddox:

CO-MASONRY

BY BRO. DUDLEY WRIGHT, ENGLAND
THE BUILDER, August 1920

In 1879 several Chapters owning allegiance to the Supreme Council of France of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, at the instigation of the Grand Orient, seceded from that allegience and reconstituted themselves as La Grande Loge Symbolique de France. One of these Chapters, bearing the name of Les Libres Penseurs, meeting at Pecq, a village of Seine et Oise, in November 1881, proposed to initiate into Freemasonry, Mlle. Maria Desraimes, a well-known writer on Humanitarian and women suffrage questions, which they did on 14th January, 1882, for which act the Lodge or Chapter was suspended. Mlle. Desraimes was instrumental in bringing into the ranks of Freemasonry several other well-known women in France, with the result that an Androgynous Masonic body, known as La Grande Loge Symbolique Ecossaise was formed on 4th April, 1893 although its jurisdiction at that time extended over only one lodge, that known as Le Droit Humain, which came into being on the same day, and which, in 1900, adopted the thirty degrees of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite.

One of the principal workers in the formation of this new Grand lodge was Dr. Georges Martin, at one time a member of the Lodge Les Libres Penseurs. The schismatic movement spread to Paris and Benares and afterwards to London, at which last-named place, in September, 1902, the Lodge "Human Duty," now No. 6 on the Co- Masonry Register, was consecrated. The title "Co-Masonry" in lieu of the earlier term "Joint Masonry" was adopted in 1905.

In 1907, Co-Masonry came to the United States. By 1922, there were more than 450 Co-Masonic lodges around the world, according to Masonic historian Arthur Edward Waite, writing in "The New Enclyclopedia of Freemasonry."

There are Co-Masonic lodges in at least 50 nations, including the U.S., Canada, Britain, Australia, Greece, Holland, Brazil, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Belgium, and Venezuela.

Here is a copy of the 4-page American Federation of Human Rights - American Co-Masonry brochure and a copy of the Declaration of Prinicples of the order. These are are mailed to those who enquire for more information on Co-Masonry. The brochure makes it clear that Co-Masonry uses the same rituals as male Masonry, and its lectures, symbolism, and teachings are virtually identical to male Masonry, with one exception: both women AND men can join. Although official "recognition" does not exist between bodies such as the United Grand Lodge of England and The American Federation of Human Rights, there are cordial relationships and mutual respect between Masons and Co-Masons, particularly on the internet.

BROCHURE: AMERICAN FEDERATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS

[The brochure is printed in dark blue ink on light blue paper and is about 4 x 5" in size. On the cover are the words "American Co-Masonry/The American Federation of Human Rights/Larkspur, Colorado" and an illustration. This depicts an Egyptian temple gate with a winged sun-disk at the top and friezes up the sides. Between the legs of the gate is a square and compasses with a blazing star in the center, in keeping with the group's descent from French Masonry, where the star is a more common emblem than the G.]

Freemasonry is an ancient fraternity which groups under its banners men of every race, of every nationality, and of every religion. Wishing to do away with all cause for division and strife, Freemasons continually seek the means which will help all human beings to unite and become as one in the cause of the good of the whole. Masonic orders are divided into several rites which, though they may differ, spring from the same goal. That common goal is the reunion of Man with his Divine Source.

American Co-Masonry is a Masonic order which works the Scottish Rite from the 1st through the 33rd degrees, plus some degrees of the York Rite. That which distinguishes the American Co-Masonic Order from other Masonic workings is that, instead of admitting men only to its ranks, it admits women on an equal footing. It is sovreign and does not depend on any foreign rulership or control. American Co-Masonry proclaims equal rights for both sexes and absolute freedom to search for the truth; the utmost toleration is demanded from all members.

American Co-Masonry operates as a non-profit corporation chartered by the State of Colorado under the name "The American Federation of Human Rights," with headquarters in Larkspur, Colordaoo.

American Co-Masonry, through its organization, its disciplines, its philosophic orientation, and symbolic rituals, continues the traditions of the old Mystery Schools, providing an opportunity for spiritual growth and service to humanity.

"Ask and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you..."

DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES: AMERICAN FEDERATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS

Freemasonry is a system of morality developed and inculcated by the science of symbolism.

American Co-Masonry is founded on the principles of freedom of conscience, solidarity and justice, and is based on the facts of Brotherhood. It is organized as the American Federation of Human Rights, Incorporated, and stands for the Human Duty of mutual service.

It is Freemasonry opening its Temple to women as well as to men, because it recognizes that united strength is necessary and that efforts made by one sex alone are inadequate for the solution of economic, social and ethical problems.

In accordance with the ancient declaration of Freemasonry, The American Federation of Human Rights asserts the existence of a Supreme Power under the name of "The Great Architect of the Universe," at the same time leaving Human Reason at perfect liberty to differ in regard to His Attributes.

It imposes no restrictions on free search after truth, and in order to secure that freedom, exacts the greatest tolerance from its members.

The American Federation of Human Rights -- American Co-Masonry
P. O. Box 70
Larkspur, Colordao 80118
(303) 681-2028

The principles of Co-Freemasonry, as listed by Brother Dudley Wright, are as follows:

THE PRINCIPLES OF CO-FREEMASONRY

BY BRO. DUDLEY WRIGHT, ENGLAND
THE BUILDER, August 1920

  1. Co-Freemasonry asserts, in accordance with the ancient declarations of Freemasonry, the existence of a Creative Principle, or Supreme Being, under the title of "The Great Architect of the Universe."

  2. It maintains an open "Volume of the Sacred Law" in every lodge, when duly formed for Masonic purposes.

  3. It maintains the ancient landmarks of Freemasonry.

  4. It withholds recognition from all irregular and clandestine meetings, or lodges not holding proper charter.

  5. It imposes no restrictions on the free search for Truth, and to secure that freedom exacts tolerance from all its members.

  6. It is open to men and women, without distinction of race or religion, who are free, of good report, and abide by strict morals.

  7. It pledges its members to obedience to the laws of the country, loyalty to their nation or national sovreign, silence with regard to Masonic secrets, a high standard of honour, and ceaseless endeavour to promote the welfare of humanity.

  8. Every Freemason is bound faithfully to observe the decisions of the Supreme Council to which he or she owes allegiance.

w Finally, here are the answers to two of the most frequently asked questions about Co-Masonry:

1) Why was Co-Masonry started?

Those who do not fully appreciate the seriousness of purpose that links the origins of Co-Masonry to the Female Suffrage movement of the late 19th and early 20th centuries may enjoy this quote from the August 7, 1907 Certificate of Incorporation of The American Federation of Human Rights in Washington, D.C. (and as such on file as a matter of public record):

"The particular business and objects of this society are to demand equal rights for both sexes before the law, to labor according to the Constitution and General By-Laws to be made and adopted by the society for the mutual improvement of its members by combating ignorance under all its forms, the building of human character, the pratice of solidarity, the upholding of high standards of honor and of social justice with a kindly feeling towards all, and a ceaseless endeavor to promote the moral and material welfare of the human race, and to that end, to organize and to conduct throughout the United States of America, branches or Lodges of Co-Masonry..."

(Similar language persists in modern AFHR articles of incorporation, all of them also on file as matters of public record.)

2) Are Co-Masonic rites the same as American male Masonic rites?

According to Masonic historian Arthur Edward Waite, writing in "The New Encyclopedia of Freemasonry" (1922), American and British male Masons would recognize and follow Co-Masonic work with ease, for the allegories and symbols are universal throughout Freemasonry. However, in keeping with its European origin, Co-Masonry makes use of a European-style Chamber of Reflection prior to initiaiton -- which British and American male Masonry do not. In this way, American Co-Masonry could be said to more closely resemble Danish, Swedish, German, Belgian, or French male Masonry than it does American or British male Masonry.

I hope this answers your questions and is of help to you. If you write or phone the Supreme Council in Colorado, be sure to ask them for the address of the Co-Masonic lodge nearest you.

catherine yronwode
EA - Hiram Lodge, U.D.
Santa Cruz, California
(i speak for myself and not for my Lodge)

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