When you mention Freemasons, people tend to have similar reactions: do members have a secret handshake? Are they rolling up their legs? Is there corruption? The only thing they are reluctant to think about is women.
The roots of women’s Freemasonry can be traced back to France in 1882, when Maria Deraizmes became the first woman dedicated to the Lodge of Free Thinkers. Co-Freemasonry (Freemasonry that allows both men and women) was brought from France to the United Kingdom in 1902 by Dr. Annie Besant, who became its leader. Bezant was a feminist campaign, a social reformer and one of the organizers of the match in 1888.
In 1908, the British co-Masons were liberated from French control and formed three lodges under a new Grand Lodge. In 1913, the Grand Lodge split after a degree dispute (Freemasonry levels), which led to the creation of two separate organizations to become the Order of Freemasonry and Freemasonry for Women, both of which continued to operate. Since 1935, they are only women.
They are led by two Grand Masters (women’s lodges use the same language, traditions and rites as men). The Order of Freemason Women has several thousand members, while Freemasonry for Women has about 700. There are craft lodges (local lodges) of Freemason women in the United Kingdom and abroad, including the United States, India, Gibraltar, Spain and Romania.
Freemasonry originated among the guilds of stonemasons and its symbols are objects used in construction. There are three main stages of Freemasonry: the first is Initiation, when one joins; the second is Passing to Fellowcraft; and the third is Master Mason, also known as the ascension ceremony.
“When I joined in 1976, there was a lot of ‘them and us’ and you had to be held in place: you were rank-oriented. But now it’s much friendlier … the men have relaxed their attitude towards us. At first they were hostile and did not want to know us. “Things have changed a lot,” said Christine Chapman.
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Christine Chapman, most revered brother and great master. Nila Malvia, 76, assistant to the great midshipman.
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Susan Bentley, 74, Chief Inspector General, and Marilyn Podro, 82, a charity employee.
“This is the most wonderful women’s club… Friendship. The fact that your life situations are changing – no one knows what’s coming – but it’s something permanent. You can come in and there is always a friendly face and a warm welcome … If you have been with a partner before but not with one later, you still have a place to go and feel comfortable. The hut is always next to you, “says Susan Bentley.
“I joined because I was curious. I was engaged to a man whose father was a Freemason and they had all these wonderful parties… I moved to Brighton and finally found one of the guys I was friendly with. His mother was a Mason and introduced me to a London lodge, and here I am. I never aspired to this, it was an accident… I never dreamed I would reach this position, “said Maxine Besser, Deputy Grand Master, 74.
Historically, Freemasonry has been a secret affair, and members have no right to discuss it with outsiders. There is more openness today.
I was invited to a meeting of the Lodge of Justice № 4, part of Freemasonry for Women, in the north London suburb of Southgate. An ascension ceremony was held while Matild Mbuk, a physician from south-west London, received his third degree and became a master mason.
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Matild Mbuk, 46. During the ceremony, her apron will change from one with two rosettes, which means that she has completed her second degree, to one with three rosettes, which shows that she has become a master mason.
Although there is more openness, there are parts of the meeting that I am not allowed to see as a non-Mason. “I’d rather not use the word ‘secret’, but instead say we like to keep some mystery and surprise,” said Flora Quintner, 84, a retired English and law teacher.
“For example, you won’t be impressed if you just tell a friend you’re going to the movies, and that friend says what happened in the end. This would take away all the fun of the event. In the same way, we keep the details of our ceremony secret for the same reasons.
It was a simple but intense and emotional ceremony for me. This is a big step and I feel more like part of the whole Matild Mbuk family
I ask her about the handshake and the rolled-up leg. “Yes, there is a secret handshake, but I will not show it to you,” she laughs. And the leg? “We wear skirts.”
The secret handshake is used to indicate the degree to which the Freemason has reached. It should be used only during ceremonies and not outside the lodges.
In the past, if a person wanted to become a Freemason, they almost always had to know someone who is a member, and the process can take several years. People can now apply to join online.
Those who want to become Freemasons must meet three requirements: they must be over 18 years of age, of good character (there is an interview to establish this), and although they do not need to belong to a particular religion, they must they believe in a supreme being – during the ceremonies people are obliged to take an oath before a supreme being.
And what about the accusations of corruption? “Personally, I have not heard of corruption in our organization, nor in this case in UGLE [United Grand Lodge of England, the male Freemasons]”Quintner says.
“Before joining, all Freemasons are told that Freemasonry has no business or commercial advantages and that one should not join if one simply wants to promote one’s business. We do not join the conspiracy theories, which we are happy to say have almost become a thing of the past. “
And what is the future of women’s Freemasonry? “I really believe that there is a way for Freemasonry in modern society, because there are many members and many dedications are still happening,” says Ndanga-Ajovi.
“The main challenge for Freemasonry is to send the right messages. The old traditions of secrecy, of lack of communication, may need to change now. ”
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