Beyond the Brotherhood: Unveiling the Role of Women in Freemasonry
When one pictures a Freemason, the image that typically comes to mind is that of a man in formal attire, a member of a centuries-old fraternity steeped in tradition and secrecy. For much of its history, this picture has been accurate. The Craft, as it is often called, has been a homosocial space, a brotherhood dedicated to self-improvement and philanthropy. But does this historical image tell the whole story? Can a woman be a Freemason?
The answer is far more complex and interesting than a simple yes or no. While mainstream, traditional Freemasonry as recognized by bodies like the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE) does not admit women, the world of Masonry is broader than many realize. The story of female Masons is a fascinating journey through history, schism, and the quiet evolution of Masonic principles in a changing world.
To truly understand the role of women in relation to the Craft, we must look beyond the doors of a single lodge and explore the parallel streams of Masonic practice that have emerged over the last century. These are not mere social clubs or auxiliaries; they are dedicated Masonic orders for women, or for men and women together, practicing the same timeless rituals and pursuing the same light of knowledge.
Why Was Freemasonry Traditionally for Men Only?
To grasp the present, we must first understand the past. Freemasonry’s origins are traced to the operative stonemasons’ guilds of the Middle Ages. These guilds were responsible for building the great cathedrals and castles of Europe. As a physically demanding trade of the era, stonemasonry was an exclusively male profession. The lodges were their functional workshops and organizational hubs.
When Freemasonry began its transition from an ‘operative’ craft to a ‘speculative’ one in the 17th and 18th centuries, it retained the customs and structures of its origins. The tools of the stonemason became symbols for moral and spiritual development, but the fraternal, all-male structure remained a core component.
This structure was formally codified in the early 18th century. The 1723 Constitutions, written by James Anderson, laid out the foundational regulations for the premier Grand Lodge of England. These rules explicitly stated that Masons must be ‘good and true Men, free-born, and of mature and discreet Age’. At a time when women had few legal rights and were excluded from public life, universities, and professions, their exclusion from a private fraternity was simply a reflection of the prevailing societal norms.
The very framework of early speculative Freemasonry was built upon the idea of a brotherhood, a space where men could meet as equals, regardless of their station in the outside world, to engage in philosophical discussion and mutual support. The traditions, rituals, and language were all developed within this male-centric context.
Have Women Ever Been Part of Mainstream Freemasonry?
Despite the foundational rules, history is rarely without its exceptions. The most famous case is that of Elizabeth Aldworth, known as ‘The Lady Freemason’. Born in 1695 in Ireland, the story goes that a young Elizabeth, driven by curiosity, hid in an adjoining room during a lodge meeting being held at her father’s home. She was discovered after witnessing a portion of the proceedings.
Faced with a dilemma, the members of the lodge decided the best way to bind her to secrecy was to initiate her into the Craft. Aldworth reportedly took her Masonic obligations seriously and remained a respected member of her lodge for the rest of her life, recognized for her charitable work. While her story is a celebrated piece of Masonic lore, it remains an extraordinary anomaly, a decision made under unique circumstances rather than a change in policy.
Other scattered accounts exist, such as that of Hélène, Comtesse de Xaintrailles, who was reportedly initiated into a French military lodge in the late 18th century by members who admired her bravery. These instances, however, are exceptions that prove the rule. They were isolated events and did not lead to a broader acceptance of women within the established, ‘regular’ Masonic bodies of the time.
What Are Co-Masonic and Women-Only Masonic Orders?
The significant and organized inclusion of women in Freemasonry began not through a change in the old rules, but through the creation of new Masonic movements. These are often termed ‘liberal’ or ‘adogmatic’ Freemasonry and are considered ‘irregular’ by the mainstream UGLE-style Grand Lodges because they deviate from the foundational rule of an all-male membership.
This distinction is crucial. For mainstream bodies, ‘regularity’ is a matter of adhering to specific ancient landmarks, including male-only membership. For the women’s and co-masonic orders, the universality of Masonic principles transcends gender. They see the exclusion of women as a violation of the true spirit of equality and enlightenment.
How Did Co-Freemasonry Begin?
The most prominent co-masonic movement began in France in the late 19th century. In 1882, a French lodge, ‘Les Libres Penseurs’ (The Free Thinkers), initiated Maria Deraismes, a well-known writer, feminist, and social reformer. This act was a direct challenge to the Masonic establishment and resulted in the lodge’s charter being revoked by its Grand Lodge.
Undeterred, Deraismes, along with activist Georges Martin, went on to establish a new Masonic order that would admit men and women on equal footing. In 1893, they founded the ‘Grande Loge Symbolique Écossaise de France, Le Droit Humain’. This eventually grew into the International Order of Co-Freemasonry, Le Droit Humain, which now has federations all over the world.
Le Droit Humain was revolutionary. Its core principle was to unite humanity without distinction of race, religion, or gender, working for the progress of humanity. It adopted the ancient rituals and symbolism of Freemasonry but re-envisioned them within a framework of absolute equality. This movement offered the first structured, continuous, and legitimate path for women to become Freemasons.
What Are the Main Women-Only Grand Lodges?
Around the same time Co-Freemasonry was taking root, another branch of the Masonic tree began to grow in Great Britain. A number of men and women who were members of Le Droit Humain decided to form a new Masonic body that would be exclusively for women, believing it would foster a unique and powerful environment for female growth and fellowship.
This led to the formation of the Honourable Fraternity of Antient Freemasonry (HFAF) in 1913. This order, which is now known as Freemasonry for Women, was founded with the assistance of male Masons from the Grand Lodge of England. They helped establish the first lodges and ensure the rituals were transmitted correctly, before stepping away to leave the governance entirely in the hands of the women. A deep dive into the historical context reveals a complex and often supportive relationship, challenging the idea of a simple division; many sources explore the nuances of Freemasonry and women.
Another major body, the Order of Women Freemasons (OWF), was established in 1908. It also grew out of the early Co-Masonic movement and is today the largest Masonic order for women in the United Kingdom. These organizations are not ‘auxiliaries’. They are sovereign and independent Masonic Grand Lodges, with their own hierarchies, lodges, and charitable works. They confer the three degrees of Craft Freemasonry and offer further degrees in appendant orders, just as their male counterparts do.
For those seeking this form of Masonic light, the journey often begins with a simple online search for female Masonic lodges near me. These orders have a growing presence globally, offering women a dedicated space to engage in the symbolic and philosophical work of the Craft.
How Do Mainstream Male Grand Lodges View Female Masons Today?
The relationship between mainstream ‘regular’ Freemasonry and the women’s Grand Lodges has evolved significantly over the past century. For decades, the official stance was one of non-recognition. However, this has softened into a position of respectful and amicable separation, at least in some key jurisdictions.
A landmark moment occurred in 1999 when the United Grand Lodge of England, the mother Grand Lodge of mainstream Freemasonry, issued a statement. It clarified that while the UGLE’s rules on gender would not change and there could be no inter-visitation, it acknowledged that bodies like the OWF and HFAF are regular in their practice. This meant the UGLE accepted that these women’s orders follow the same core principles, rituals, and landmarks as they do, with the sole exception of gender.
This was a pivotal shift from dismissal to acknowledgment. It confirmed that from the UGLE’s perspective, these women are ‘Masons in all but name’. The statement allows for informal communication between the different orders and permits members to share facilities, fostering a spirit of cooperation where none existed before. This evolving relationship is a testament to the changing social tides and a subject of ongoing discussion within the Craft, as scholarly articles on women and Freemasonry often detail.
It is important to note that this view is not universal. In the United States, for example, the stance of many state Grand Lodges remains stricter, with less formal acknowledgment of women’s Masonic orders. The relationship is a complex tapestry that varies by country and jurisdiction.
What About Masonic Appendant Bodies and Auxiliaries?
Another source of common confusion is the role of Masonic-related bodies that have always included women. The most well-known of these is the Order of the Eastern Star. Founded in the mid-19th century, it is a social and charitable organization open to Master Masons and their female relatives, such as wives, widows, daughters, and sisters.
While the Order of the Eastern Star has its own beautiful rituals, moral lessons, and symbolism based on biblical heroines, it is not a Masonic lodge. Its members are not considered Freemasons. It is correctly described as an appendant body of the Masonic family, a place for men and women to work together in the spirit of Masonic principles like charity and fellowship. Many other such bodies exist, including the Order of the Amaranth and the White Shrine of Jerusalem. These organizations have played a vital role for centuries, ensuring women have always had a place within the wider Masonic community, a fact often highlighted in discussions about Freemasonry and women.
What Are the Core Tenets and Symbols in Women’s Freemasonry?
Whether in a male-only, female-only, or co-masonic lodge, the foundational principles of Freemasonry remain the same. The journey is one of self-knowledge and moral development, using the allegories and symbols of stonemasonry to build a better self and, by extension, a better world.
The core tenets are Brotherly Love (or Fraternal Love), Relief, and Truth. Members are taught to practice charity, to care for their community, and to seek truth in all things. The central allegorical drama of the Third Degree, the esoteric heart of the Craft, is the same. The focus on a belief in a Supreme Being and the importance of good character are universal prerequisites. The general Masonic lodge membership requirements of being of good repute and believing in a higher power are mirrored in the women’s and co-masonic orders.
Symbols like the square and compasses, the level, and the plumb rule carry the same meaning. The regalia, including the apron, is worn with the same sense of reverence. This leads to common questions about personal adornment. For example, many ask can a woman wear a Masonic ring, and the answer is nuanced. A female Mason initiated into a recognized women’s or co-masonic order may certainly wear a ring or emblem signifying her membership, just as a male Mason would.
The essential experience of Freemasonry, the journey from darkness to light through a system of ritual and symbolism, is a universal human quest. As society has evolved, so too has the understanding that this journey is not exclusive to one gender. The modern discourse on this topic reflects a broader shift towards inclusivity and a recognition of shared spiritual goals.
So, while a woman cannot join a lodge under the United Grand Lodge of England or most mainstream Grand Lodges in the US, she absolutely can become a Freemason. For over 120 years, dedicated and legitimate Masonic orders have been initiating women, offering them the same rights, responsibilities, and philosophical treasures that men have enjoyed for centuries. The story of women and Freemasonry is not one of exclusion, but one of parallel paths leading toward the same source of light.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is a Masonic connection necessary to join the Order of the Eastern Star?
The Order of the Eastern Star is founded on teachings and principles that are philosophically aligned with Freemasonry, focusing on charity, truth, and loving kindness. This required Masonic relationship ensures that all members share a common heritage and an understanding of the fraternal values that form the Order’s foundation. It is not an auxiliary to the Masonic Lodge, but rather a distinct organization where Masons and their female relatives can work together for benevolent purposes.
This connection is a fundamental part of the Order’s identity and structure, and as such, it is a non-negotiable requirement for eligibility. Prospective members must prove their relationship to a Master Mason who is, or was at the time of his death, in good standing. This ensures the integrity of the lineage-based membership and maintains the unique character of the organization.
What should I expect from the investigation committee after I submit my petition?
The investigation process is a crucial but friendly step designed to ensure a good fit between you and the Chapter. A small committee of three members will be appointed to meet with you for an informal conversation, which is not an interrogation or a test. Their primary goal is to get to know you on a personal level, verify the information on your petition, and give you a chance to ask any questions you have about the Order.
This meeting is typically scheduled at a time and place convenient for you, often in your own home. You can expect questions about your character, your motivations for joining, and your understanding of the time and charitable commitments involved. Being open and honest is the best way to approach this conversation, as it helps the committee make an informed and favorable recommendation to the Chapter.
What are the main factors that influence the timeline for membership?
The most significant factor affecting how long it takes to become a member is the schedule of the specific Chapter you petition. Most Chapters only meet once a month and may have designated times for reading petitions, balloting, and conducting initiation ceremonies. If a Chapter only holds initiations once or twice a year, you may have to wait several months even after your petition is approved.
Other factors include the efficiency of the investigation committee and your own responsiveness. It can take a few weeks to coordinate schedules for the investigation meeting between you and the committee members. Additionally, any delays in providing required documentation, such as proof of your Masonic relative’s good standing, can pause the process until the information is received and verified by the Chapter Secretary.
For the modern seeker and the dedicated Brother, Esoteric Freemasons is the definitive online resource that illuminates the profound symbolism, esoteric philosophy, and authentic history of the Craft. We go beyond the surface to reveal the true light of Masonic knowledge.
