IOJD in Manitoba

This is incomplete. Further info can be email to Shannon.

Job's Daughters began in Manitoba with the appointment of a Grand Guardian back in 1923! These Grand Guardians were responsible for promoting interest in the budding organization and attempting to instititute new Bethels. It is noted that in 1924 an interesting report was submitted on Manitoba's behalf. Mrs. Kathleen Wood took up the fight in 1924. Manitoba, in fact Canada, is not again mentioned in our history until 1931 when British Columbia made our Order international!
Manitoba first Bethel was chartered on July 15, 1934. We was honoured to have May F. Pascoe serve as Supreme Director of Music in 1938-39. During Bethel 1's long stay as the only Bethel in Manitoba WAR broke out. We were part of the 11 reports submitted containing relief efforts amounting to $5 000 in War Bonds and Stamps, $10 000 cash donated to the Red Cross and purchase of War Stamps, 18 875 hours of sewing for the Red Cross and we knitted sweaters, mittens, scarves, helmets, wristlets, afghans, shawls and stretcher covers. 500 boxes of cookies and 500 filled and packed knapsacks were sent to Army Camps. 200 Daughters were blood donors, 130 took First Aid, 85 took Home Nursing, 150 took Nutrition, 50 took Canteen Courses, 50 Air Raid Wardens, 100 Messengers, 75 Ladies in Grey and 600 served at USO and on sugar rationing. Two Manitoba Daughters were in Service for our Country.
Bethel 2 was chartered on December 20, 1949. Bethel 3 was offered Dispensation December 1, 1953 and was chartered March 16, 1954. Bethel 4 of Selkirk, the first non-Winnipeg Bethel, was offered Dispensation March 19, 1954 and was chartered October 12, 1954. Bethel 5 was offered Dispensation May 9, 1954 and we were chartered, as West Kildonan, Manitoba (now merely a suburb of Winnipeg) on Nov 21, 1954. In this year we monetarily contributed to the attendance of Job's Daughter representatives from Hawaii and Australia to Supreme Sessions. Bethel 6, in Brandon (putting B5 in a non-WG Bethel sandwich! Yeah!) was offered Dispensation September 14, 1955 and was chartered Februrary 26, 1956.
In 1956 Manitoba became a Grand Jurisdiction with Elsie Hall (PBG 1) serving as Grand Guardian and Jack Gibson (PABG 3) as Associate Grand Guardian. A Drill Team and Drum Corps was started and Mrs. Hall donated the Travelling Gavel to Manitoba. The Travelling Gavel is "won or stolen" by the Bethel who visits it's keepers with five girls, one of whom must be a line officer and at least one Executive Council Member (special rules apply to small Bethels). The "winners" must then make an entry into "TG's Book" about the nights events and their "victory". It's a great promotion for visiting between the Bethels. Mrs. Hall served as Supreme Fifth Messenger during 1956-1957 which was Ruth Mary Leavitt's term as Supreme Guardian, she was the first PHQ to become Supreme Guardian making this a very special year.
In the late 50's MBJD equipped a ward at the Children's Hospital of Winnipeg adding two croupettes, small oxygen tents for children, in the early 60's. Janet Agnew (PBG 2)served as Supreme Fourth Messenger during 1959-60. Bethel 8 was instituted February 25, 1960. Bethel 9 was instituted on November 23, 1961 and chartered on March 9, 1962. Irene Ramsay (PBG 7) was Supreme Junior Custodian during 1961-62.
On April 27, 1962 Manitoba's Drill Team won for Military Drill at the Alberta Grand Session. We had a membership of 558 Daughters in 9 Bethels in 1963, 40 years after the first efforts to have Job's Daughters in Manitoba! This was also the year that our Drill Team was honoured to be instructed in precision drill by Mr. Arfield a former member of Her Majesty the Queen's Palace Guard! Our Drum Corps was assisted by the Winnipeg Police Band. Bethel 10 in Flin Flon was instituted March 28, 1964. Lu Brandon (PBG 2) was Supreme Fifth Messenger, with Irene Ramsay as her pro-tem, in 1964-65. In 1965-66 Lu Brandon was selected as Supreme Second Messenger. Paige V. of Bethel 5 was selected as Honourary Supreme Fourth Messenger with two other Daughters as Supreme Reps. 1966-67 brought us Helen Billings (PBG 3) installation as Supreme Director of Music and two Daughters as Supreme reps.
There was a dark cloud over December 5, 1967 as Vivian Johnson VGG of MB was taken from us. There were many beautiful tributes and rememberances of her. Earl Sutton, her partner, and Effie D. Grand Guide bravely pressed on for the Job's Daughters of Manitoba and led us through the following term. 1967-68 saw Arlene M. PHQ 9 as Honourary Supreme Guide and another Daughter as a Supreme rep. Two Supreme reps were named in 1968-69.
On June 6, 1969 15 of our Daughters were selected to attend a Royal Reception and Dance for Her Royal Highness Princess Alexandra to honour them as a group of young adults who have given outstanding service in leadership in a youth organization. 1969-70 saw a new direction for Manitoba's Drill Team as we amalgamated with the DeMolay's Drill Team! Bethel 11, Swan River, was instituted in December 1969 and chartered in April 1970. March 21, 1970 brought the first Installation of Officers of the Honourary Grand Bethel of Manitoba. Miss Mary Dee Aho GBHQ of MN presided as Miss Elaine G. PHQ#1 was installed as Honourary Grand Bethel Honoured Queen. Flin Flon's Bethel #10, MB Drill Team came home as trophy winners after the 1970 Supreme Session. Manitoba's DeMolay/Job's Daughter Drill Tean disbanded. Peggy J. (PBG 2) was installed as Supreme Second Messenger.
1972, after 50 years since the first efforts to have Jobies in Manitoba began we had 524 Daughters in 11 Bethels! In 1975-76 we were honoured by having Fionna D. of Bethel 7 asked to sing at Supreme Sessions Formal Opening and as she was later selected to be Supreme rep. to Japan.
1976-77 was the Installation of Shirley Boyce (PBG 10) as Supreme Third Messenger and Barbara (D.) S. (PGG PBG PHQ 1) as Supreme Deputy to Western Ontario. Two Daughters were selected as Supreme Reps, but the highlight was our first Miss Manitoba Job's Daughter Barbara D. of Bethel 6 placing as First Runner Up in the Miss International Job's Daughter Pageant! MMJD Leslie (M.) H. of Bethel 3 placed 4th Runner Up and her and another Daughter were chosen to be Supreme reps in 1977-78.
In 1978-79 MMJD Kim (B.) S. of Bethel 2 was selected as the Miss International Congenialty and 4th Runner Up!
In 1979-80 Hayley (C.) K. PHQ 8 PBG 29 BC was selected as SBJP! This was also the year that the Grand Bethel of Manitoba was instituted and installed by the GB of SK GBHQ Glenys Reeves PHQ#8 SK presiding. The GGC and GB of SK presented the new GB of MB with a SK Flag, and the HQ's and Princess's capes. Bethel #2 SK presented us with the GB crowns. Our GG Helen S. and AGG John N. presented the GBHQ's medallion and our GG and her husband Helmut presented the HQ's and Princess's Travelling tiaras. In 1980-81 Mrs. Louise G. (PBG 6) was installed as Supreme Fourth Messenger.
Sadly, in 1982, Bethel 8 closed it's doors amalgamating with Bethel 1. Between 1976-83 we collected over $315 000 in Dominion Store receipts for the Canadian Paraplegic Association to aid in the purchase of wheelchairs. 1986-87 saw the resignation of VGG Rea A. and of her partner Lloyd T. Our current GG Gerry G. and AGG Harry H. agreed to take on another term. 1987 brought more sadness with the demise of Bethel 11. The 1989-90 Grand Term saw the reopening of our Drill Team! Bethel 10 followed Bethels 8 and 11 in 1991. On a brighter note Roslyn (J.) W. PGG PBG PHQ MM CM 5 Roslyn W. (PBG PHQ 5)was installed as Supreme First Messenger for the 1991-92 term. Manitoba was honoured to have Heather B. PHQ#5 serve as Supreme Bethel Librarian and another Daughter as a SBrep. for 1992-93. October 1993 was a sad time as our Grand Bethel was closed down.
In 1994-95 Manitoba had the honour of being home to it's first Supreme Bethel Honoured Queen Shannon G. of Bethel 5! Her sister Tina G. was installed as a SBrep. This brought many fun times including the SBHQ's reception on March 11, 1995, watching her in the Rose Bowl Parade on the Masonic Float and Bethel 3's Baseball Fundraiser (now an annual tradition!).
In 1994, the 60th anniversary of Job's Daughters in Manitoba we had a membership of 126 Daughters in 8 Bethels. In 1995-96 Tina G. was again a SBrep. We had a SBrep. for the 1996-97 term and the 1997-98 term. In 1997 a dark cloud once again hung over Manitoba Job's Daughters as Bethel 7 was closed. On the 40th anniversary of the GGC of MB we had 142 Daughters in 8 Bethels. 1999-2000 brought the distinct honour of having Jean O. as Supreme Treasurer. Since then each year we have had two SBreps. 2000-01 brings special honour as Jasmine M. PHQ#9 is SB Second Messenger and another Daughter is a SBrep.

(Sources: Official History of the IOJD Vol.1, GGC of MB Proceedings, GB of MB Minutes.)

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