Daughters of Isis
 | A request that this article title be changed to Imperial Court (organization) is under discussion. Please do not move this article until the discussion is closed. |
_logo,_formerly_Daughters_of_Isis.png) Egyptian goddess Isis with cow horn symbol | |
| Formation | August 24, 1910 |
|---|---|
| Founded at | Detroit |
| Type | Masonic women's auxiliary |
| Headquarters | 2239 Democrat Road Memphis, Tennessee 38132 |
| Location |
|
| Website | doipha.org |
Formerly called | Daughters of Isis |
The Imperial Court serves as the female auxiliary to the Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, the Prince Hall affiliated Shriners.[1] The organizations previously used the name Daughters of Isis.[2]
History
[edit]Local groups of the Imperial Court were founded by African American women in the early years of the twentieth century in Maryland, Rhode Island and Washington, D.C.. In 1909, representatives of these locals met with a committee from the Prince Hall Shriners and formally requested the formation of a national organization of female relatives of the Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. The establishment was approved at the annual convention of the Shrine held in Detroit, Michigan, on August 24, 1910. At the group's inception, it had twelve local chapters.[3]
In 2010, the group held their centennial celebration.[4] In 2014, the organization changed names to avoid confusion with an unrelated terrorist group.[2]
Organization
[edit]Local organizations are called "courts" and the national organization is called the Imperial Court. There were 12,000 members in 184 courts in 1979.[5] The international organization includes courts in the United States, Canada, the Bahamas, Germany, Italy, South Korea, and Japan."[4]
The organizations' rituals are based on the Egyptian legends of Isis.[2] Local courts hold events to raise money for charity.[6][7]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Schreiner, Mark (August 17, 2016). "Shriners Invade Tampa, Ybor Parade Steps Off Wednesday". WUSF (FM). Tampa, Florida: University of South Florida. Retrieved February 26, 2025.
- ^ a b c Jacobs, Chick (August 29, 2015). "Cape Fear Profile: Alicia Chisolm wanted to join the service, and she did". The Fayetteville Observer. Gannett. Retrieved February 26, 2025.
- ^ "Imperial Court History". Imperial Court. Retrieved February 26, 2025.
- ^ a b "Daughters of Isis Begin Centennial Celebration". Savannah Tribune. February 24, 2010. Retrieved February 26, 2025.
- ^ Axelrod, Allan (1997). International Encyclopedia of Secret Societies and Fraternal Orders. New York: Facts on File, inc. p. 61. ISBN 0-8160-2307-7.
- ^ "Local Daughters of Isis celebrate year's worth of good works". The Blade. Toledo, Ohio: Block Communications. November 7, 2010. Retrieved February 26, 2025.
- ^ Mayfield, Amy (September 13, 2011). "Daughters of Isis host Commandress Ball". The Huntsville Times. Advance Publications. Retrieved February 26, 2025.