Rainbow for Girls is an international organization for girls from the ages of 11 through 20. Its official name is International Order of the Rainbow for Girls. Rainbow for Girls was originally created for Masonic daughters and their friends. Masons belong to one of the oldest and largest fraternal organizations in the world. But today any girl who is interested in joining Rainbow for Girls may join. An applicant must submit a petition to a local chapter, called an assembly. Once the petition is accepted, the assembly conducts a ballot to vote an applicant into their group.
Although members do not have to be Christian, Rainbow for Girls encourages church membership and reverence for the Bible. It also encourages patriotism, love of family, and service to the community. Assemblies hold fund-raising events for charitable causes. They also sponsor recreational outings for their members, such as trips to amusement parks and theaters.
The organization was founded in McAlester, Oklahoma, in 1922 by an American clergyman and Mason named W. Mark Sexson. Today, Rainbow for Girls has hundreds of thousands of active members throughout the world.
The central governing board of the organization, called the Supreme Assembly, issues the bylaws for all Rainbow assemblies. Each assembly also has its own advisory board headed by a Mother Adviser. Headquarters are in McAlester.
