Freemasonry is a Family Affair
I’d like to share a little of my back story as a Freemason. I am blessed to be a fourth-generation member of the Craft. Two of my four great-grandfathers were very active Masons. Both of my grandfathers were, too, as well as three great uncles and a great-great uncle. My father was not only my Brother, but the Master of my mother lodge, bandmaster of his Shrine, director of the Scottish Rite Chorus for one of his Valleys, and composer-in-residence for the orchestra in another Valley where he was active. My late brother-in-law was also my Brother, and was active in his lodge, as well as the Scottish Rite and Shrine.
The women in my life were Masonic-affiliated, too. One great-grandmother, both grandmothers (plus my step-grandmother), and my mother were members of Eastern Star, a. In fact, when I was in kindergarten, my parents were Matron and Patron of their chapter, and my kindergarten teacher was their secretary. My baby sister and I spent a lot of time in the dining room and anteroom of the Masonic temples growing up, to be sure.
Our youth groups have been part of my life, too. I couldn’t be a DeMolay, but my mom was a Rainbow Girl, and was a past worthy advisor. She and I both were honored with the Grand Cross of Color. She was an active member in Ohio and I was an advisory board member in Missouri. My youngest son is a Senior DeMolay.
What has all of this taught me, other than I come from a family with a long history of not knowing how to say “No” when asked to serve?
It has taught me that Freemasonry truly is a family experience and can be one for generations. It is a fraternity that values the participation of women as much as that of men. The lessons we teach are valid forever and apply to men and women of all ages. We really need to be better at communicating this to the world. If elected as your Deputy Grand Master, I will work to promote not only awareness and membership, but involvement and active participation across our Masonic family.
Our Grand Master put in place the covenant with the Social Order of the Beauseant. I fully support this covenant and will work with the Grand Master and the leadership of the SOOB to find ways in which local Commanderies can assist in establishing Assemblies in their area. As I have traveled across the USA, I have seen how Commanderies with Assemblies affiliated have been stronger, growing, and unified. Those Commanderies have many leaders at the Grand Commandery level, and their Assembly members have not only assisted in the public work of the Commandery but seek out ways in which to serve the greater community. Both of these are blessings, and both help us to strengthen and grow our Orders. Such work is a win for everyone. I seek to find ways for folks to succeed, and not ways for only a select few to have “success” and others to be left behind. I want to help others experience the fun side of our work together with others.