History
Second National Convention, American Federation, Chicago 1913
It is often said that women cannot be Freemasons and that any Masonic Order accepting women is irregular and clandestine. However, this does not change the fact that women are and have been regular and legal Masons since 1882 when Brethren of the French Lodge Les Libres Penseurs (the Free Thinkers) initiated Maria Deraismes, a prominent writer, journalist and one of the leaders of the French movement fighting for the rights of women.
From this first step, a new Masonic Order was created on April 4, 1893: the Order of International Co-Freemasonry Le Droit Humain. The Order has now officially changed its name to the International Order of Freemasonry for Men and Women Le Droit Humain. The first declaration of principles of the Order, written in 1896 and still part of its International Constitution, “proclaims the equality of rights for both sexes and complete freedom of conscience” and “consequently imposes no limits for the free search for truth, and to ensure for all this freedom, demands from all maximum tolerance”. It further proclaims that the Lodges are open “to men and women of all nationalities, all races and all religious orientations . . . that people of all philosophical orientations are welcome provided they are free and of high moral standards”.
The Order denounces all forms of racism, all forms of degradation of women and all forms of religious intolerance. This means that underlying the declaration of principles is the vital concept that humanity is one family. The concern of the Order is with humanity as a whole, to find a way to establish a sense of unity so that human beings will be able to live together with mutual respect and dignity. And, to do this it is necessary to have respect for the diversity of humanity—its cultures, ethnic origins, and religions.
The aim of the Order is to realize the greatest possible degree of moral, intellectual and spiritual development for all people—not only for members, but for all people. The ultimate purpose is to offer a Masonic method for self improvement, not just for personal development, but to serve humanity. The more insight, understanding and compassion we have developed inside us, the more it will benefit others.
The American Federation of the Order was formed by two streams: the passionate devotion to the ideals of brotherhood and equality of Louis Goaziou, and the concern for spiritual development represented by Annie Besant. Both were acutely aware of human suffering and their lives were dedicated to doing what they could to right social wrongs and relieve human misery. Goaziou worked to better the conditions of coal miners in Pennsylvania, while he spread the ideals of the Order throughout the United States. Annie Besant’s spiritual vision gave members an inkling of the tremendous heights of human evolution and perfection.
From this first step, a new Masonic Order was created on April 4, 1893: the Order of International Co-Freemasonry Le Droit Humain. The Order has now officially changed its name to the International Order of Freemasonry for Men and Women Le Droit Humain. The first declaration of principles of the Order, written in 1896 and still part of its International Constitution, “proclaims the equality of rights for both sexes and complete freedom of conscience” and “consequently imposes no limits for the free search for truth, and to ensure for all this freedom, demands from all maximum tolerance”. It further proclaims that the Lodges are open “to men and women of all nationalities, all races and all religious orientations . . . that people of all philosophical orientations are welcome provided they are free and of high moral standards”.
The Order denounces all forms of racism, all forms of degradation of women and all forms of religious intolerance. This means that underlying the declaration of principles is the vital concept that humanity is one family. The concern of the Order is with humanity as a whole, to find a way to establish a sense of unity so that human beings will be able to live together with mutual respect and dignity. And, to do this it is necessary to have respect for the diversity of humanity—its cultures, ethnic origins, and religions.
The aim of the Order is to realize the greatest possible degree of moral, intellectual and spiritual development for all people—not only for members, but for all people. The ultimate purpose is to offer a Masonic method for self improvement, not just for personal development, but to serve humanity. The more insight, understanding and compassion we have developed inside us, the more it will benefit others.
The American Federation of the Order was formed by two streams: the passionate devotion to the ideals of brotherhood and equality of Louis Goaziou, and the concern for spiritual development represented by Annie Besant. Both were acutely aware of human suffering and their lives were dedicated to doing what they could to right social wrongs and relieve human misery. Goaziou worked to better the conditions of coal miners in Pennsylvania, while he spread the ideals of the Order throughout the United States. Annie Besant’s spiritual vision gave members an inkling of the tremendous heights of human evolution and perfection.