A Picture is worth a thousand words: Images of Women Freemasons

It is possible to write a great many thousands of words on women in Freemasonry over the past several hundred years, but those who are in denial about this basic reality will ignore them. So, instead of writing more, and masons such as my friend Karen Kidd have written in greater detail and more cogently on the subject than I can, I will simply offer a random selection of photographs and illustrations which speak volumes. These images give the lie to the claim that women freemasons do not or cannot exist. While it is perfectly fine that there are Masonic bodies which refuse to admit women, even though that seems to

me a curious survival from a less enlightened age, the claim that woman are not or cannot be masons is akin to saying that women cannot or should not be allowed to drive, or vote, etc. Such obediences are entitled to their practices. But really fellows, try to force yourselves to show the courtesy expected of a Mason, at least when speaking in public. You make us all look silly when you sputter and get irate over an issue that intelligent and reasonable men dealt with more than half a century ago.

So, without further ado, here is a sampling of paintings, etchings, and photographs of women masons and freemasons across the ages. It should be clear that they did and do exist. The earliest depictions not being included in volumes dedicated to cryptozoology, we are left therefore, with no other conclusion that represents depictions of reality.

The first of these images come from an early period, and in fact depict a woman who was clearly an operative Freemason. (By the way folks, Freemason did not begin as a term to describe what we now call "speculative"
masonry, a distinction cooked up along with the whimsy that Freemasonry began in London, as there were no small number of operative masons capable of and engaged in speculative thought before the bar hoppers of London formed a Grand Lodge. Rather, it refers to masons who worked in Freestone. Freestone is a stone used in masonry for molding, tracery and other work with a chisel. Oolitic stones are used, although soft sandstones may also be used; in some locations a naturally hardened chalk called clunch is employed for internal lining and for carving.

Elizabeth Aldridge

I include here depictions of women being initiated into Freemasonry in 18th century France, as well as  photographs of anonymous women freemasons, in photographs that span three centuries. Included among these are some interesting examples of Masonic garb. The most unique and creative of which are from the 19th century. I include photographs depicting groups of Women Freemasons with their regalia.

Annie Besant

Additionally, we have a handful of images of Women Freemasons who are or were famous. These images depicting famous women Freemasons include the Honourable Elizabeth Aldworth, a famous woman Freemason in Ireland, who lived from 1693-1775. (nb: these dates are approximate and vary by one to two years at either end based upon the sources).  Aldworth was the daughter of Arthur St. Leger,1st Viscount Doneraile and 1st Baron Kilmayden of Doneraile Court, County Cork, Ireland. She was married in 1713 to a Richard Aldworth, Esq. Little is known of her life is known between her initiation into Freemasonry as a young girl and her death almost sixty years later.


As is to be expected, a fair bit of nonsense has been written about her by Masons concerned with “limiting the damage,” however, her portrait, wearing masonic garb as a mature woman makes it clear that she continued to be active as a mason throughout her life. The lodge her father was the leader of, doubtlessly received its patent from Scotland rather than London, as some have suggested.

Mixed Masonic Lodge in Ghana in the 1930s

Also included are the photograph of a most talented woman Freemason whom, until I went in search of photographs for this blog entry, I had forgotten about, although I have no idea why; the multi-talented and beautiful Josephine Baker. Lastly, I would be remiss if I neglected to post a photograph of the woman who may well be the most famous woman Freemason in the English speaking world today, the talented author and Freemason, Karen Kidd. Karen is the author of a number of books on women and Freemasonry that if you haven't read, you need to. Go look them up.

Josephine Baker

Some titles on this subject, by Karen Kidd, and by other authors include:

Women's Agency and Rituals in Mixed and Female Masonic Orders edited by by Alexandra Heidle and Jan A. M. Snoek.

Initiating Women in Freemasonry by Jan A. M. Snoek

Women in Freemasonry by Louis Goaziou.

Karen Kidd

Haunted Chambers: the Lives of Early Women Freemasons by Karen Kidd

On Holy Ground: A History of The Honorable Order of American Co-Masonry by Karen Kidd

Lastly, one title which might surprise some, demonstrates that no less than Albert Pike was seriously considering the admission of women as Freemasons in the United States. He wrote his own adaptation of the Rite of Adoption with the intention of instituting it in the US.  His book, which is available as a reproduction from Kessinger, is entitled Secret Masonic Rituals For Women: The Masonry Of Adoption.

A Cerneau Rite Research Yahoo Group

The Cerneau Rite Yahoo Group: Masonic Education for the Rest of Us!

For those of you who might not be familiar with the name of Joseph Cerneau, he was the victim of the nastiest smear campaign probably ever launched in the United States. To read what the illustrious but sometimes problematic Albert Pike had to say about him, one might be forgiven for thinking he was the demon seed. Unfortunately, Pike was as wrong and as biased about Cerneau as was humanly possible. This is particularly unfortunate as he has become practically the only viewpoint permitted in polite company on the subject here in the U.S.A.

But don't take Pike's word on the subject, and don't take mine, either. I may be right, but in the service of healthy discussion, and because while to pit myself against Albert Pike as the source of masonic truth may in this case be justifiable, it is far and away too immodest. I certainly wouldn't compare myself to Albert Pike, even after several single malts and the best Cuban Maduro.

In all honesty, while I think that to say that Pike was factually challenged about Cerneau is an understatement, I am not writing this blog entry to blast Pike, whom I find a fascinating figure in his own right. Rather, my intent is to raise a little attention for two subjects of which I am fond.  They are interrelated. That is to say, they are both part of my fascination with Joseph Cerneau, the Freemason who is almost more despised in North America than Morgan.

Masons really ought to think twice about Cerneau and his role in the Development of Freemasonry in the Americas, because he was every bit as important as Pike, and perhaps even a little more so. At any rate, his influence during his own lifetime extended geographically much further than did Pike's. And, Pike's spleen not withstanding, he was a pretty good Mason. One who died, by the way, penniless and disenchanted by the ugliness of Masonic politics, back in his native France.

That brings me to the main focus of this entry, the work of another good Mason.  Pat King is a thoughtful and studious mason. He founded a Yahoo group 9 years ago, back in May of 2003 to discuss research and other information concerning Cerneauism and the history and memorabilia of the Cerneau Rite. His approach was to let the actual history speak for itself, rather than to further promote the vindictive chatter of the Goliath who slew David, or in this case, Joseph. Bro. Pat actually is much more even handed in discussing the subject than I am being in this post, and he welcomes any and all opposing viewpoints. My approach here, is of course, intended to bait my readers and maybe get them curious enough to check out Bro. Pat's quiet and more objective little group. The serious scholarship that this group hosts, thanks in large part to Pat King, deserves a lot more attention.

Bro. Pat has taken the rational view that since all of the principles in the original debate are moldering together in the clay, perhaps it is time to take an honest look at some old masonic history.

He notes, in one of the earliest posts in the group, what the original fight was all about.

"The crux of the battle between the NMJ and the Cerneaus was a "control issue". The NMJ (and all other current SR Supreme Councils)functions on an autocratic or hirerarchical system. The Actives select the new Actives and no one has a say but Actives. Its a "closed shop". The Cerneau Supreme Grand Council (1880's) was a representative body composed of delegates from every chartered body. It met in the 32' so all could attend. It was representational like our Grand Lodge. The Supreme Council 33' was an appendant body which only controlled thatdegree and had no say in governing the Rite in general.

Bringing it closer to home, ET Carson wanted to keep the AASR in Ohio "under his thumb". There were Lodges of Perfection, Councils P of J and Chapters Rose Croix around Ohio.....but only one Consistory 32' - in Cincinnati (his home). This accounts for the disparity in charter dates around Ohio between the bodies 4-18 and those 19-32. In fact, there was not another AASR NMJ Consistory chartered in Ohio until after the "Cerneau wars" broke out. (Which was in Cleveland, btw).

To put it simply....you could not be a 32nd unless you travelled to Cincinnati and got Carson's approval. That's the way he wanted it. (Talk about "anal-retentive" !!)

The Active 33rds (NMJ) of that era styled themselves "Sovereigns of Masonry" and God Forbid someone introduce democracy into their little kingdom. It was, indeed, "a tempest in a teapot" for the percentage of SR members to blue Lodge membership was quite small (smaller than that ratio today).

The Cerneau Supreme Grand Council, on the other hand, regularly chartered all four bodies in one location at a time. They also got closer to the people in that places like Newark, Felicity, Bucyrus and Upper Sandusky had bodies as well as Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati & Toledo.

It is interesting to note that at one time the Cerneau SR outnumbered the NMJ SR in Ohio. Carson was desperate and resorted to desperate (and dishonorable) methods. Had he not succeeded in his perfidy, we would all be Cerneau SR Masons today.

Now there's an interesting thought.......

- Pat"

It should further be noted that in the rest of the Americas, Joseph Cerneau is viewed as a father figure for Freemasonry in general. He founded the first Lodge in 19th Century Cuba, and in spite of the absurd suggestions of Pike and his masonic offspring, he was exiled from Cuba for no other reason than that he was French and had been active in Haitian Freemasonry. At that time, no more was needed for the Spanish authorities to banish you, a fate he shared with many other innocent fellow nationals. Today he is viewed with respect as the father of not only Cuban Freemasonry, but of masonry in much of South America. He actually initiated Simon Bolívar and made him a 33° Mason.

Pat King typifies what is best about any variety of Freemasonry. He is thoughtful, fair, and unafraid to speak the truth, which he does with gentleness and usually with more diplomacy than the subject deserves. If this has whetted your appetite, go visit Pat King's quiet Kingdom in Yahoo Groups. You have to be a Master Mason to join, but I don't think it matters whether you are a member of the Southern Jurisdiction, the Northern Jurisdiction, or a Cerneauite or only a local blue lodge. He's a good man and a better mason. Go on, support him! The group is simply called "Cerneau - Cerneau Masonic Research."

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Cerneau/