Freemasonry and Women

Waisers have a wide variety of specialities, but Paul Rich is unique in that his is Masonry, which has played an important role in the political history of many countries, including the US and Mexico. To break its horrendous oath of secrecy was punishable by death. In the nineteenth century a notorious case gave rise to the Anti-Masonic Party, and in many countries such as France it has been viewed much as good Americans view commie plotters, with the difference that the Masons actually have played a decisive role in the political life of some countries. Living in Mexico, Paul Rich is well placed to study this phenomenon there.

In the US Freemasonry is not as secretive as in other countries, so Paul Rich is able to document his studies of its history. His latest contribution is in the quarterly bulletin of the Scottish Rite Research Society, The Plumbline (Fall 2000), a Masonic term referring to the rectitude of Masonic behavior. They certainly have conducted themselves in an exemplary manner, but they have been accused of male chauvinism. There are womens' groups affiliated with Masonry, such as The Order of the Eastern Star, the Rainbow, and the Amaranth ( a group of related plants with colorful leaves, used poetically for "an imaginary plant that never fades or dies"). Feminists invented the term "male chauvinism", expressive of a new assertiveness on the part of women. Paul Rich entitles his article "Appreciating Masonic Historical Diversity", and he quotes cases to prove his point. The article is illustrated with a portrait of "The Honorable Lady Elizabeth St. Leger Aldworth", although her significance is not clear. Women Masons were admittedly rare, but it is not fair to judge past events by current standards. Curious as to what their husbands were up to, women sometimes hid in clocks or closets to spy on them. It was an unusual variant of "Cherchez la femme".

The Masonic Order has been notoriously anti-Catholic in Latin countries, so it has a place in the session on religion of the WAIS conference. I would like to know more about its role in non-Christian countries. Certainly Communist governments treated it as a public enemy; Fidel Castro still does.

Ronald Hilton - 7/17/01