Tennessee’s first Rainbow Assembly, Memphis Assembly #1, Memphis, Tennessee, was Instituted June 13, 1923 and Constituted March 13, 1924.  Memphis Assembly #1 is still very active today.  The first Grand Assembly was held in the Cumberland Lodge Building, Nashville, Tennessee, on June 26 and 27, 1930, with Dorothy Whitten from Memphis Assembly #1 serving as the first Grand Worthy Advisor.

Tennessee Rainbow has had five Supreme Deputies appointed in its history.  The first Supreme Deputy was Mrs. Frances Haun serving from November 9, 1927 until her resignation on January 13, 1931.  Mrs. Haun served as Most Worthy Grand Matron of General Grand Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star from 1934 until 1937. 

Mrs. Louise Krauth was appointed as the next Supreme Deputy on February 11, 1931 and served until her resignation on October 17, 1935. 

Our next Supreme Deputy was Mrs. Adda Dinsmore who was appointed on January 10, 1936 and served until her death on September 27, 1960.  At the time of her death, she was serving Supreme Assembly as Supreme Charity. 

Following the death of Mrs. Dinsmore, Mrs. Eleanor O’Rear was appointed Supreme Deputy in 1960 and served until her resignation in 1993.  Mom O’Rear served Supreme Assembly as Supreme Drill Leader and Supreme Service from 1992-1996.  She died in 1998 while serving in the House of Gold. 

Mrs. Judy Fortenberry was appointed Supreme Deputy on October 1, 1993 and became a member of the House of Gold in July, 2000 and was installed as our Supreme Worthy Advisor on July 27, 2020.  She has been fortunate to serve in several other Supreme Offices including Supreme Worthy Associate Advisor, Supreme Charity, Supreme Hope, Supreme Faith, Supreme Immortality, Supreme Fidelity, Supreme Nature, and Supreme Love. Her dedication is evident toward all Rainbow Girls and Advisors and we are happy to call her one of our own in Tennessee.

Mrs. Rachel Whitaker was installed as our Supreme Deputy on July 27, 2020. She is a Majority member from Hendersonville Assembly #3 and served as Grand Worthy Advisor in 2008. Tennessee Rainbow is very proud of Mom Rachel and look forward to her leadership.

Tennessee has been fortunate to have two Grand Worthy Advisors to serve as Acting Supreme Worthy Advisor. Jane Wright, served in 1949-1950 and also had the great privilege of having Rev. W. Mark Sexson attend Tennessee’s Grand Assembly during her term as Grand Worthy Advisor. Most recently, Whitney Whitaker served as Acting Supreme Worthy Advisor in 2014 in Baltimore, MD. We are very proud of both of them!

We have also been very fortunate to have had several Supreme Pages over the years.  We have Past Grand Officers who are Doctors, Nurses, Ministers, Engineers, numerous Educators in all levels of Education, Missionary Workers, Business Managers, and one was Miss Tennessee.

Our Eastern Star Heritage    

Although we have always had terrific support from both the Order of the Eastern Star and the masonic Lodge, we will truly remember the Drill we were asked to perform by the Most Worthy Grand Matron, General Grand Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, Sister Virginia Painter and Tennessee’s own Brother Ray G. Osborne.  In October, 1994, twenty-five Rainbow Girls and the Grand Worthy Advisors of Tennessee and Connecticut were honored to do the drill, knowing that they were representing Rainbow Girls all over the world.  A standing ovation was given to the young ladies as they left the General Grand Chapter floor after a fantastic performance.  Brother Ray has always been very supportive of Rainbow Girls, and we thank him for his many contributions to our Organization.

Our Masonic Support

Tennessee Master Masons are very active supporters of Rainbow Girls too. We have been a part of the Long Range Planning Committee, formerly called Vision 2013, since its Inception. Tennessee Rainbow Girls always enjoy serving at the Grand Master’s banquet at Grand Lodge each year.  This has been a time-honored tradition and the girls look forward to it every Spring.

We couldn’t do without the support we receive from our local Masonic lodges either.  They are always ready to offer us a place to hold our regular meetings, installations, installations, and social events.  Master Masons also serve on our Advisory Boards and help at most of our functions.