The Order of Rainbow For Girls was founded by Rev. W. Mark Sexson in McAlister, OK in 1922. The first recommendation found in our Proceedings regarding an "Order for Girls" appeared in the Worthy Grand Matron’s Report of 1923. Sister Rowena Ward stated that "the hearts of the people seem to yearn for organizations." She noted that the Masons in many instances were fostering the DeMolay for boys and encouraged the Grand Chapter to foster the Rainbow Girls or Job’s Daughters organizations. Sister Rowena recommended that "the matter be looked into and a plan adopted" to pursue this noble cause. She stated that "The principles of our Order are so pure and beautiful that we would love for them to be inculcated in the hearts of our sons and daughters as early as possible." She reported that Augusta Evans Chapter has asked for permission to organize a band or Rainbow Girls and she "hoped that the Grand Chapter will see fit to grant this request." Our Proceedings do not note whether this request was acted upon.

The first Rainbow Assembly formed in Georgia was Savannah Assembly No. 1 on June 4, 1926, in Savannah. A Past Master of Solomon Lodge No. 1 in Savannah Mr. H.S. Oppengeirmer met Rev. W. Mark Sexson, founder of the Rainbow for Girls, during his travels about the states. He was impressed with Rainbow Girls, their teachings and their Charity work. His enthusiasm and zeal spread to Laurel Chapter OES, and they became Savannah Assembly’s sponsoring body. The first Mother Advisor was Mrs. Lillian Holt; and her daughter, Miss Lillian Holt, was the first Worthy Advisor. The Grand Chapter of Georgia, OES, became the sponsoring body for the Rainbow Girls in Georgia.

Also in 1926, Sister Julia Turner, Worthy Grand Matron received an invitation to attend the Fourth Annual Session of the Supreme Assembly in McAlester, Oklahoma, on January 18-20, 1926, as an honor guest. She accepted so that she could learn more about the Order designed for the young girlhood of America. She stated "There I found the traditional Pot of Gold at the end of the Rainbow, and came away feeling that my trip was well worth while and that it was good to have been there." At the Supreme Assembly Sister Julia Turner was commissioned as Supreme Deputy of Georgia. In her report at Grand Chapter she reported that Assembly No. 1, sponsored by Laurel Chapter No. 51, in Savannah, had just been instituted and another was in process of organization by Capital City Chapter No. 111 in Atlanta. She indicated that it was necessary to have 25 girls to organize an assembly.

In 1929 Mrs. Vesta Brown, Worthy Grand Matron, was appointed by Brother W. Mark Sexson, Founder and Supreme Recorder of Supreme Assembly, International Order of Rainbow For Girls, to the office of Supreme Deputy. She held this position until her death in 1950.

Georgia was originally part of a Tri-State Assembly with North Carolina and South Carolina and remained a part of this Tri-State Assembly until Grand Assembly of Georgia was formed in 1937. Miss Billie La Motte of Savannah Assembly No. 1 served as the first Grand Worthy Advisor.

By December 31, 1938, there were fifteen local Assemblies throughout the state with a membership of 700.

Mrs. Ester Gooch succeeded Mrs. Brown as Supreme Deputy, "Mama" Gooch, as she was often called, encouraged the girls to be proficient in their work. Rainbow grew under her leadership, and a number of Assemblies were instituted and constituted. In 1955, Mrs. Gooch was elected to the House of Gold and became Supreme Inspector until her death in 1973. She served as Supreme Fidelity for a number of years.

Mr. George Hampton became Supreme Deputy at the time of Mrs. Gooch’s death and served until 1978.

Mrs. Mary Ruth Coffman a Past Grand Matron of the Grand Chapter of Georgia, was appointed Supreme Deputy and served in this capacity for ten years. Mrs. Coffman was responsible for forming the "Miss Rainbow Pageant" in 1983. Today, this pageant is a major fund-raiser for Grand Assembly and the Rainbow Scholarship fund.

In 1996, a special award was named in honor Mrs. Coffman. This award is the Mary Ruth Coffman Service Award, which is awarded to a Rainbow Girl who has exemplified outstanding service to her community.

Mrs. Martha H. Hardison became Supreme Deputy in 1988 following Mrs. Mary Ruth Coffman. She is the first Majority Rainbow Girl in Georgia to serve as Worthy Grand Matron of Georgia. Mom Hardison was elected as a Member of the House of Gold in 1994 and Supreme Inspector in Georgia. In July 1998, she was appointed Supreme Immortality for Supreme Assembly. Mom Hardison, as she is fondly called by many girls and even adults, has given Georgia Rainbow many opportunities and a boost in the morale of the membership. She began a State Wide Christmas Party in 1989 where everyone could come to join in the celebration of the Holiday. With all the Rainbow Girls gathered on the floor around her, she always ends by reading the true Christmas Story from the Holy Bible.

The Grand Assembly has experienced many changes in the past 60 plus years. Membership is growing in many Assemblies. Georgia had a statewide increase in membership last year and we are very proud of that. This jurisdiction is proud of their Scholarship Fund. A Scholarship is given to each Rainbow Girl who desires to further her education, and the scholarship has helped many girls’ hopes and dreams to come true. An average of fifteen scholarships are given each year at Grand Assembly.

Georgia is known for having competitions and awards. Some are as follows:

Mary Ruth Coffman

Service Award Rainbow of the Year

Member Dedication Award

Miss Southern Belle

Ritualistic Competitions

Apron Competition

Eastern Star Scholarships

Assembly Banner

Masonic Scholarship

Mascot Competition

Grand Representative Costumes

Page Basket Competition

Grand Representative Parade

Rainbow Rookie of the Year

Georgia also has a Rainbow Flag Team. The flags are given to a different Assembly each year at Grand Assembly and they perform a drill at the next Grand Assembly.

The Jurisdiction meets once a month for Official Visits at the Assemblies across the States. Attendance averages about 220. During the year, a Miss Rainbow Dance, Mother-Daughter Luncheon, Christmas Party and a Founder’s Day Picnic are held.

Each Assembly has service projects; and the Grand Assembly has a service project for the state in which money is raised and given to several organizations such as Abused Children Association, Victim-Witness Association, Scottish Rite Hospital in Atlanta, Service Women’s Memorial in Washington, D.C., Muscular Dystrophy Association and Special Olympics.

As the clock of time continues, so will Rainbow for Georgia is blessed with adults who want to see this Order grow. They feel that Rainbow is the hope and future of Fraternal Orders. The Georgia Rainbow Majority Association roll, formed in 1997 contains more than a hundred names. The Association is helping to get these ladies and their families back into the fold.

We are all proud of our Rainbow Girls and look forward to their being members of the Order of the Eastern Star.