Beyond the Brotherhood: Uncovering the Role of Women in Freemasonry
When you picture a Freemason, what comes to mind? For many, the image is one of a secret society of men, meeting in lodges adorned with the iconic square and compasses. It is a world of brotherhood, ancient rituals, and civic-minded men who have included historical figures from George Washington to Winston Churchill. This picture, while a significant part of the Masonic story, is incomplete.
For centuries, another narrative has run parallel to this male-dominated tradition. It is a story of determination, intellectual curiosity, and the unyielding pursuit of Masonic light by women. The idea of a female Freemason might seem contradictory to some, yet it is a reality with a rich and layered past. Understanding the complex and fascinating history of female Masons reveals a more complete and nuanced picture of the Masonic world.
This journey into the world of women’s Freemasonry is not just about challenging old assumptions. It is about recognizing a vibrant and growing part of the Craft that shares the same core tenets of self-improvement, charity, and fellowship. From legendary exceptions in the 18th century to the thriving international orders of today, women have carved their own unique path within the Masonic tradition.
Why Was Freemasonry Traditionally for Men?
To understand why women were not originally included in Freemasonry, we must look back to its origins. Modern speculative Freemasonry evolved from the operative stonemason guilds of the Middle Ages. These guilds were professional organizations for men who worked in the physically demanding trade of building cathedrals and castles.
Membership was restricted to men who were ‘free’ and of ‘good repute’. This was a practical matter tied to the labor and social structures of the time. The lodge was their place of work, education, and social support. The secrets of the craft, including geometry and building techniques, were closely guarded professional knowledge passed from master to apprentice.
As Freemasonry transitioned from an operative craft to a speculative moral and philosophical system in the 17th and 18th centuries, it retained many of its original structures and rules. The first formal rulebook for speculative Freemasonry, Reverend James Anderson’s Constitutions of 1723, explicitly stated that Masons must be men. This reflected the societal norms of the era, where women were largely excluded from public life, civic organizations, and professional guilds.
The early Masonic lodge was seen as an extension of this public sphere, a space for men to engage in philosophical discourse and moral instruction outside the home. The exclusion of women was not born of malice but was a product of its time, deeply embedded in the legal, social, and economic fabric of the 18th century.
Were There Ever Exceptions in Early Masonic History?
Despite the formal rules, history is seldom without its fascinating anomalies. The story of women in Freemasonry includes a few legendary figures who, through unusual circumstances, are said to have been initiated into the otherwise all-male fraternity. These stories are often debated by historians, but they have become an important part of Masonic lore.
Who Was Elizabeth Aldworth?
The most famous of these early exceptions is the story of Elizabeth Aldworth, known as ‘The Lady Freemason’. Born in 1695 in County Cork, Ireland, she was the daughter of the 1st Viscount Doneraile. The story goes that a Masonic lodge, of which her father was a member, held its meetings in their family home.
Driven by curiosity, a young Elizabeth allegedly hid in an adjoining room during a lodge meeting. By removing a loose brick from the wall, she was able to witness the secret ceremonies of the first two degrees of Freemasonry. When her presence was discovered, the members of the lodge were faced with a dilemma. They were bound by a solemn oath not to reveal their secrets.
After much deliberation, they concluded that the only way to ensure her silence was to bind her with the same oath. Consequently, Elizabeth Aldworth was formally initiated into the lodge. She remained a respected member in good standing for the rest of her life, known for her charitable works and dedication to Masonic principles. Her Masonic apron and jewels are still preserved and displayed in Ireland.
What About Hélène de Xaintrailles?
Another remarkable tale comes from late 18th-century France. Hélène de Xaintrailles, a woman of courage and martial spirit, disguised herself as a man to enlist in the French army. She served with distinction for many years, rising through the ranks on her own merit, with her true gender remaining a secret.
During her military service, she applied for and was accepted into a Masonic lodge attached to her regiment. She was initiated, passed, and raised as a Master Mason, all while being known to her brothers as a man. It was only later, after she had left the military, that her identity was revealed.
Her case, like Aldworth’s, illustrates that even in an era of strict gender segregation, the principles of the Craft could sometimes transcend its own rules. These women were not admitted as part of a policy of inclusion but as solutions to extraordinary circumstances, becoming legends in the process.
How Did Organized Female Freemasonry Begin?
The isolated cases of women like Aldworth were exceptions. The true beginning of organized Freemasonry for women was a more deliberate and philosophical movement that began, not in England, but in France.
What are Rites of Adoption?
In the mid-18th century, French Freemasonry developed a unique system known as ‘Lodges of Adoption’. These were lodges established for the female relatives of male Masons, operating under the charter and supervision of a regular male lodge. They were not considered ‘regular’ Freemasonry but were an affiliated, or adopted, branch.
These lodges had their own beautiful rituals, often centered on biblical heroines and allegories focused on feminine virtues. While they provided women with a space for moral instruction, fellowship, and charitable work, they remained auxiliary bodies. They could not exist independently and were always subordinate to their sponsoring male lodge. The Rites of Adoption were a significant step, but they did not offer women equality within the Craft.
What Sparked the Co-Masonic Movement?
The pivotal moment for true Masonic equality arrived over a century later. The catalyst was Maria Deraismes, a prominent French journalist, author, and champion of women’s rights. She was a powerful intellectual voice in 19th-century France, advocating for social and political reform.
In 1882, a progressive French Masonic lodge named Les Libres Penseurs (The Free Thinkers), deeply committed to the principle of equality, made a radical decision. They voted to initiate Maria Deraismes into their lodge on an equal footing with its male members. This act sent shockwaves through the Masonic world and resulted in the lodge losing its charter from its Grand Lodge.
Undeterred, Deraismes, along with the influential Mason and politician Georges Martin, spent the next decade working to create a new Masonic order. In 1893, they founded La Grande Loge Symbolique Écossaise ‘Le Droit Humain’ (The Scottish Symbolic Grand Lodge ‘The Human Right’). This was the first Masonic body in history established to initiate both men and women as equals, creating what is now known as Co-Masonry.
What Forms Does Female Freemasonry Take Today?
From these foundational movements, Freemasonry for women has grown and diversified. Today, it exists in several distinct forms around the world, each with its own structure and philosophy, but all sharing the core goals of Masonic endeavor.
What are Co-Masonic Orders?
Co-Masonry, pioneered by Le Droit Humain, continues to be a major force in international Freemasonry. These orders, often referred to as ‘liberal’ or ‘adogmatic’ Freemasonry, admit both men and women on terms of absolute equality. They believe that the search for truth and human improvement should not be limited by gender.
Le Droit Humain has federations and lodges in over 60 countries, working various Masonic rites and rituals. The existence of these international bodies is a testament to the global appeal of an inclusive Craft. They are a significant part of the landscape of masonic women in Freemasonry, providing a path for anyone who seeks Masonic light.
What are Women-Only Grand Lodges?
Another significant development, particularly prominent in the United Kingdom, was the formation of exclusively female Masonic orders. In the early 20th century, a group of men and women who had been part of a Co-Masonic movement decided to take a different path. They believed that just as men had their own Masonic spaces, women would also benefit from single-gender lodges.
This led to the creation of two main bodies in the UK: The Honourable Fraternity of Ancient Freemasons (HFAF), established in 1913, and The Order of Women Freemasons (OWF), established in 1908. These are large, thriving organizations that practice Freemasonry in a manner almost identical to their male counterparts, with their own Grand Lodges, rituals, and charitable endeavors. They offer a unique space for sisterhood and self-development, showing that a woman’s journey in Freemasonry can be both profound and empowering. There are now numerous female Freemason groups around the world, each contributing to the rich tapestry of the Craft.
What are Female Freemasons Called?
This is a common and important question. The terminology is simple and direct. Women who are members of the Craft are called Freemasons, or Masons. There is no need for feminized terms like ‘Masoness’ or other variations.
Using the correct term is a matter of respect for their standing within the fraternity. They undertake the same obligations and engage in the same work as their male counterparts. Therefore, understanding what are female freemasons called is to acknowledge their equal status and commitment to the principles of Freemasonry.
What is the Relationship with ‘Mainstream’ Freemasonry?
The relationship between women’s Masonic orders and the so-called ‘mainstream’ or ‘regular’ Grand Lodges, such as the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE) or the various Grand Lodges in the United States, is complex.
From a technical standpoint, regular Grand Lodges do not officially ‘recognize’ women’s or Co-Masonic lodges. Recognition is a formal Masonic term that allows for inter-visitation between members of different Grand Lodges. Because one of the primary tenets of regularity for these bodies is the restriction of membership to men, they cannot formally recognize a lodge that admits women.
However, this lack of formal recognition does not equate to animosity. In fact, relationships are often cordial and respectful. In 1999, the UGLE issued a landmark statement clarifying its position. It acknowledged that the two women’s Grand Lodges in the UK (the OWF and HFAF) are regular in their practice, following Masonic principles and landmarks. While not formally recognized, the UGLE stated that discussions with them could take place and that their shared aims were worthy of respect. This perspective on Freemasonry and women shows a modern understanding and a spirit of parallel, if separate, work.
What Do Women in Freemasonry Actually Do?
The work of a female Freemason is fundamentally the same as that of a male Freemason. The core of the experience is a journey of self-discovery and moral development, taught through participation in allegorical plays and rituals.
Members advance through a series of degrees, typically the three Craft degrees of Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, and Master Mason. Each degree uses symbolism and allegory to impart lessons in morality, ethics, and philosophy. The goal is to take good women and help them become better: better individuals, better family members, and better citizens.
Lodge meetings are a place for this ritual work, followed by fellowship and often a meal. Charity is a cornerstone of all Masonic bodies, and women’s lodges are deeply involved in fundraising and supporting local and national causes. The tools of the ancient stonemason, like the square, compasses, level, and plumb rule, are used as powerful symbols. Learning the masonic symbol meanings is central to understanding the lessons of the Craft. Ultimately, it is a journey of personal and spiritual growth undertaken in the company of like-minded sisters.
What Does the Future Hold for Women and the Craft?
The presence of women in Freemasonry is more visible and accepted today than ever before. As societal views on gender and inclusion continue to evolve, the conversation within the broader Masonic world is also changing.
While the traditional, male-only Grand Lodges are likely to maintain their current structure for the foreseeable future, the respect and informal cooperation between the different branches of Freemasonry are growing. The internet and social media have allowed women’s orders to become more public, attracting a new generation of seekers who are drawn to the timeless principles of the Craft.
The future of Freemasonry, in all its forms, depends on its ability to demonstrate its relevance in the modern world. By promoting self-improvement, fostering community, and performing charitable work, both male and female Freemasons contribute to this shared goal. The story of women in Freemasonry is a powerful reminder that the search for light, truth, and brotherly love is a universal human endeavor, not limited by gender but enriched by diversity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is women’s Freemasonry officially recognized by traditional male lodges?
The relationship between women’s and men’s Freemasonry is complex and varies by jurisdiction. Most traditional, male-only Grand Lodges, such as the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE) and the majority of state Grand Lodges in the United States, do not grant formal recognition to female lodges. This means they do not consider them "regular" in the historical sense and do not permit inter-visitation between their respective members.
However, this lack of formal recognition does not necessarily mean there is animosity. Many male Grand Lodges, including the UGLE, have publicly stated that they consider women’s Masonic bodies to be "regular in practice," acknowledging they work with the same rituals and share the same values. This creates a dynamic of mutual respect and peaceful co-existence, even without official Masonic interaction.
Are the rituals and degrees in women’s Freemasonry the same as in men’s?
Yes, the core rituals, allegories, and degree structures in women’s Freemasonry are fundamentally the same as those practiced in men’s lodges. Female Masons progress through the three symbolic degrees of Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, and Master Mason, learning the same moral and philosophical lessons through dramatic allegory. The central tenets, symbols, and teachings are preserved to provide an authentic and equivalent Masonic experience.
While the essential content and purpose of the rituals remain identical, some women’s orders may make very minor adjustments to wording for clarity or to better suit their membership, without altering the symbolic meaning. The ultimate goal is the same: to use the tools and allegories of ancient stonemasons as a guide for personal development, moral integrity, and spiritual growth.
What are the specific requirements to become a female Freemason?
The requirements for joining a women’s Masonic lodge are nearly identical to those for traditional male lodges. A candidate must typically be of a minimum age (usually 18 or 21), be of good moral character, and be joining of her own free will, uninfluenced by mercenary or other improper motives. Crucially, a belief in a Supreme Being is a universal and non-negotiable prerequisite for membership.
The process begins with the prospective member expressing her interest, as one is "to be one, ask one." She will then submit an application, which is followed by an interview with an inquiry committee from the lodge. This committee’s purpose is to ascertain her character and ensure she meets all the qualifications before the lodge members vote on her petition for membership.
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