Juvenile Branches are formed under local Household of Ruth bodies.[1] The members of Household of Ruth are called inmates, and the Household provides sick and funeral benefits to its members.[1] Symbolism of the order included a gold sheaf of wheat, gold stars, and a pink rosette with a gold star in the center.[1]
History
The Ruth degree was created by Patrick H. Reason in 1858.[3] Open to both men and women, the first woman to lead the organization was Mary Alice Parker, who succeeded J. W. Grant, Most Worthy Grand Superior from 1887 to 1908. Parker served as Worthy Grand Recorder under Grant before taking the office of Most Worthy Grand Superior from 1908 to 1927.[5]
During the late nineteenth century, Households was founded in many states including Virginia and Kentucky.[6][7] In 1893, there were over 800 Households with 40,000 members.[4]
^ abcdNeedham, James F. (1923). General Laws and Regulations of the Household of Ruth (Second ed.). Philadelphia, Penn.: Sub-Committee of Management of the Grand United Order of Odd Fellows, America.
^ ab"Household of Ruth Founder". GRAND UNITED ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS IN AMERICA AND JURISDICTION. Retrieved 2024-02-16.
^ abStevens, Albert C. (1899). The cyclopædia of fraternities; a compilation of existing authentic information and the results of original investigation as to more than six hundred secret societies in the United States. New York City, N. Y.: Hamilton printing and publishing company. p. 237.
^"Mary Alice Parker". GRAND UNITED ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS IN AMERICA AND JURISDICTION. Retrieved 2024-02-16.