History of the
International Order of Job's Daughters
Job's Daughters was founded in 1920 by Mrs. Ethel Theresa Wead Mick.
 The idea
of creating an organization for Masonically related teenage girls began four
years prior to the first initiation. Mother Mick had numerous helpers but
most especially her husband, Dr. William Mick, and the assistance of the
Grand Lodge of the Masons of Nebraska and all members of the Grand Chapter
of the Order of the Eastern Star of Nebraska. The organization was to be
based on the Book of Job, with special reference to the 42nd Chapter, 15th Verse:
"And in all the land were no women
found so fair as the Daughters of Job;
and their father gave them
inheritence among their brethren..."
due to the lessons taught to Mother Mick by her mother, Elizabeth D. Wead, to whom Mother Mick
dedicated the Order.
On October 20, 1920 a
working council was formed with Mother Mick being appointed, Executive
Supreme Guardian, Mr. LeRoy Wilcox, Executive Supreme Associate Guardian.
During the following months The Right Reverand Ernest Shaylor, Bishop of the
Episcopal Church, furnished much information regarding the Book of Job that
was used in writing the Ritual. Mr. Wilcox wrote the first four messengers'
lectures while Mother Mick wrote the fifth. Mr. Wilcox also prepared, printed
and donated the first petitions which were sent out March 18, 1921. Captain
Albert Wedemeyer, a retired army officer and band leader, planned the marches
for the floorwork while Mrs. Lillian Faber compiled the musical parts. The prayers
were written by Mrs. Virginia Catlin. White Grecian style robes and purple capes for
the Princesses and Queen were chosen as uniforms. The first petitioners, under
Mrs. Faber, planned a concert to raise money for the necessary uniforms and
paraphenalia on June 4, 1921 with much success.
On May 6, 1921, with 118 members
and Miss DeEtte Smith as the first Honoured Queen, Bethel 1, NE was instituted.
May 27, 1921 our Order bacame a formal organization with the first elections
of the Supreme Gurdian, Mother Mick and Associate Supreme Guardian, Mr. James Bednar.
In 1921 dispensations for Bethels Nebraska and Illinois were issued.
At the next annual session the organization's name, landmarks and constitution and bylaws were approved.
The following Landmarks were established and still stand today:
First: To be known as Job's Daughters.
Second: Membership to be composed of developing girls who believe in
God and bear a Masonic relationship.
Third: The meeting place to be called a Bethel.
Fourth: The teachings based on the "Book of Job" (with special reference to
the 42nd Chapter: 15th Verse).
Fifth: To be taught in three epochs (not degrees).
Sixth: Motto: "Virtue is a quality which highly adorns woman. "
Seventh: The emblems to be the Open Book, Horn of Plenty and the Lilly of
the Valley
Eighth: Requiring all members, guardians and visitors to assume a pledge
based on honor.
Ninth: To be a democratic organization with the right of appeal to a supreme
authority. with all members and guardians amenable to the laws
Tenth: A Supreme Guardian Council with Constitution and Bylaws in
conformity with landmarks governing Supreme Guardian. Subordinate
Guardians and Bethel members.
By 1925 we had 132 bethels in 20 states with 12 150 members. In 1931
we became an international organization with the institution of Bethel 1 , BC.
By our 20th anniversary we had 491 Bethels and 33 464 members! In 1942 Job's Daughters
became involved in the war effort donating $10 000 in war stamps and bonds, making
mittens and sweaters and sending cookies to Army Camps. We presented a total of ten
ambulances to the Armed Forces.
In 1944, we officially became the INTERNATIONAL ORDER
OF JOB'S DAUGHTERS. In 1950, Australia was included in our International Family.
1952 was the first year that the Daughters made an appearance on the Supreme scene
with Brenda Starr becoming the first Honourary Supreme Queen, now called Supreme Bethel Honoured Queen!
In 1955, Germany had a Bethel instituted as a result of a European trip by our Daughters.
Mrs. Ruth Leavitt was the first Past Honoured Queen to become Supreme Guardian
in 1957. However there is a shadow in this year as Mother Mick passed away on
February 21, 1957. In 1958 the Ethel T. Wead Mick Memorial Fund was established.
In 1961, a Bethel was instituted in Guam and our Order's membership peaked at 142 946
members in 1 534 Bethels. In 1965, the IOJD designated official jewelers. In
1966, a scholarship fund was created to further recognize our founder, Mother
Mick. On March 9, 1969 the Mother Mick Memorial Room in the Masonic Temple of
Omaha, Nebraska was dedicated.
On our 50th anniversary we had 1 824 Bethels with a
membership of 105 796. The first Miss International Job's Daughter Pageant was
held in 1971 and a Bethel was instituted in Japan. In 1973, the Degree of
Royal Purple was first presented. The age requirements changed in 1975 to 11-20
years old. After 65 years we had 1 476 Bethels with 41 528 members. In 1985 Miss
Vanessa Ann Dickie, later Mrs. Vanessa Fowler our current Supreme Guardian, was crowned
Miss International Job's Daughter, the first "Supreme Team Daughter" from outside of North America!
In 1986, the HIKE Fund
was established. (Go to HIKE Page) During March 1990 the
International Headquaters at Papillon, NE was dedicated. During the 1993 a Bethel
was established in Brazil, which now boasts over 3400 Daughters in over 100 Bethels! In 1995 the first Supreme Guardian
who was not from North America was installed: Judith Bavister from Australia. In 1996 Marion Uy from the
Philippines was selected as MIJD. We currently have over 16,000 members in over 900 Bethel in five countries, Who knows what will happen next?
(Sources: Official History of the IOJD Vol. 1, SGC Site.)
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