What is the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls (IORG) and Who Are Our Members?
The International Order of the Rainbow for Girls (IORG/Rainbow) is a 501c3 non-profit service organization for girls between the ages of 11 and 20. The Rev. W. Mark Sexson founded our order in McAlester, Oklahoma in April of 1922. Rev. Sexson sought to develop an organization where young women could build self-confidence and leadership skills, all while serving their community. The organization promotes community service, as well as love and service to their homes, their schools, and to each other.
Our order prepares the girls of today to be the leaders of tomorrow. IORG teaches leadership skills and public speaking and how to be part of a team. It builds self-respect, confidence, poise, patriotism, fidelity, trust, integrity, and character, all while providing a fun and safe environment for girls to meet other girls their age and to build friendships that will last a lifetime. We want our members to be, and to have, positive role models and mentors, so that they can continue to influence the new members of the assembly.
The International Order of the Rainbow for Girls is affiliated only with the Masonic Lodges, Order of the Eastern Star Chapters,
and Courts of Amaranth. It is not a religion, cult, or secret order. While many groups and organizations have "rainbow" in their
title or organizational name, IORG is NOT connected with any other group.
The International Order of the Rainbow for Girls has an active membership across the world. Our organization has over 20,000
members in most states and in many foreign countries, including Queensland and New South Wales in Australia, Bolivia, Brazil,
Aruba, the Philippines, and Canada. Since our order began in 1922, more than one million girls have been initiated into our
order and we have more than one million majority members (girls over the age of 20 who are no longer considered active
members of their assembly) still participate.
Some outstanding members of the order include former Supreme Court Justice, Sandra Day O'Connor, former Miss America and Actress, Lee Meriweather, Actress Lily Tomlin, and Olympic and Skier Jill Kinmont Boothe.
Maine's former United States Senator, Olympia Snowe had this to say about the order:
"I am proud to be a Rainbow Girl. This group instilled in me the values of service, honesty, and leadership, among others. I have carried these ideals with me throughout the years. Being a member of the International Order of Rainbow for Girls reflects well on a young woman's character and integrity and will benefit today's Rainbow Girls throughout their lifetime."
Our order prepares the girls of today to be the leaders of tomorrow. IORG teaches leadership skills and public speaking and how to be part of a team. It builds self-respect, confidence, poise, patriotism, fidelity, trust, integrity, and character, all while providing a fun and safe environment for girls to meet other girls their age and to build friendships that will last a lifetime. We want our members to be, and to have, positive role models and mentors, so that they can continue to influence the new members of the assembly.
The International Order of the Rainbow for Girls is affiliated only with the Masonic Lodges, Order of the Eastern Star Chapters,
and Courts of Amaranth. It is not a religion, cult, or secret order. While many groups and organizations have "rainbow" in their
title or organizational name, IORG is NOT connected with any other group.
The International Order of the Rainbow for Girls has an active membership across the world. Our organization has over 20,000
members in most states and in many foreign countries, including Queensland and New South Wales in Australia, Bolivia, Brazil,
Aruba, the Philippines, and Canada. Since our order began in 1922, more than one million girls have been initiated into our
order and we have more than one million majority members (girls over the age of 20 who are no longer considered active
members of their assembly) still participate.
Some outstanding members of the order include former Supreme Court Justice, Sandra Day O'Connor, former Miss America and Actress, Lee Meriweather, Actress Lily Tomlin, and Olympic and Skier Jill Kinmont Boothe.
Maine's former United States Senator, Olympia Snowe had this to say about the order:
"I am proud to be a Rainbow Girl. This group instilled in me the values of service, honesty, and leadership, among others. I have carried these ideals with me throughout the years. Being a member of the International Order of Rainbow for Girls reflects well on a young woman's character and integrity and will benefit today's Rainbow Girls throughout their lifetime."