Venus Court #65 Heroines of Jericho

Historical Overview of the Heroines of Jericho

          In all the annals and archives of Freemasonry, with regard to the history of women in the Masonic system, the Heroine of Jericho is, perhaps, the most beautiful, the most sublime, and the most inspiring of all. It is an androgynous degree that is saturated with the most passion, pity, and piety.

          It is an ancient degree that goes far back in time -- from the Middle Ages and, perhaps, even farther back. It is still quite debatable (By Jurisdiction ) if it should be considered a side honorary degree of the Ancient Holy Royal Arch Masonry. One thing we all agree is that the men endowed with the secrets and benefits of this degree were called Master Masons; their wives, mothers, widows, sisters, and daughters who received the degree were called Heroines.

          The Degrees of the Heroines are the oldest, most venerable, and most perfect of all the female Degrees. From a time of unknown date to about A.D. 1220, the degree had lain in definite obscurity, nevertheless thriving in societies where its high and noble principles held at bay the reprobate behaviors of almost uncivilized men. It was most useful from the days of its infancy when the raw nature of ruthless men dominated society and unscrupulous tyrants shackled the liberties of the common people.

          The Heroines of Jericho, as it was known even then, provided a haven of common consolation and respite, particularly for those women whose husbands, fathers, and brothers were part of the Operative Masonic Guilds and who had by this time become FreeMasons. These Masons were now so-called "freemasons" because they were no longer bound to the land and property owners as they had been during the Feudal system of Europe. They were now "free" to travel, work and receive Master's Wages, and be in a better position to support themselves, their families, the widows and orphans.

Beyond the year of A.D.1220 in France, the now ritualized formalities of the degree rapidly passed on to England, Germany, Scotland, and in many other established governments, until it made its way to America with the introduction of Freemasonry in the West.

The speculative objective of the Heroines of Jericho is, today, consistent with the overall Masonic aims of Freemasonry, and in particular, those of the Holy Royal Arch Masonry. It is undisputed that the Degree of the Heroine is, indeed, the heritage and property of the Master Masons, and its teachings are of a moral, philosophic, and philanthropic nature. A court of The Heroines of Jericho is established to extend the principles of the Masonic Order: teaching its lessons of morality, loyalty, and friendship; also, to encourage and incite the interest of females towards the purposes of the Masonic Order. It is organized for the further purpose of ameliorating the conditions of the destitute widow and the helpless orphan, and to relieve, as far as possible, the worthy, distressed female traveler.

The Heroines of Jericho is named in celebration of a woman in the Bible named Rahab, who is remembered in history for the act of hiding two Hebrew spies from Israel whom Joshua had sent to determine the strength of the city of Jericho. When Joshua sent those two spies over to spy out the city, they were directed to Rahab's house (Joshua 2:1) by the divine will of God, who already had touched the heart of Rahab and showed her the victory of the Israelites.

Compiled from several sources,

including Grand Worthy Joshua Rev. Dr. Ronald Williams & PMAM Anne Huffman (Past Grand Lecturer)

The Vivacious Venus Court #65

Venus Court #65 was organized on August 22, 1908 in Tallahassee, Florida-Leon County, as an auxiliary to Mount Olive Lodge #5 F&AM PHA. Venus Court #65 is one the oldest courts in Tallahassee. The court was chartered by the Most Worshipful Union Grand Court under the administration of Most Ancient Grand Matron Sallie L. King and Grand Venerable Patron John R. Scott. The honorable John H. Dickerson was the Most Worshipful Grand Master.

In 1908, prominent Grand Leaders resided in Tallahassee, i.e., Most excellent Grand High Priest Companion John G. Riley, as well as, Immediate Past Most Ancient Grand Matron Heroine Elnora Hunter Yellowhair and her Daughter Margaret Yellowhair (one of FAMU’s first Graduates). E.H. Yellowhair was instrumental in building the Heroines of Jericho Court in Northwest Florida.

The charter officers and members of Venus Court #65 are:

Most Ancient Matron Heroine Nellie Riley

Most Worthy Joshua Hero Samuel Wells

Junior Matron Heroine Janie Wells

Secretary Heroine Gertrude Twine

Treasurer Heroine Phyllis Twine

Members: Heroines Sarah Riley, Maggie Proctor, Lucy Moore, Jane Hawkins, Cornelia and Virginia Rollins.

Many great women, who were forerunners of the Most Worshipful Union Grand Court, led Venus Court ^#65:

The Past Most Ancient Matrons are Nellie Riley 1908- 1950’s, Mahalia Bacon 1950’s-1970’s, Carrie McTier, Marian B. Hadley, Margaret Wilson, Delores Freeman 199X-2003, Marie W. McCelvy 2003-2006, Joanne Morgan 2006-2012, Dr. Dinithia M. Sampson 2012-2015, and Crystal Bradley Green 2015-2017. Since 2017, Dr. Dinithia M. Sampson has been appointed as our Most Ancient Matron.

The Past Most Worthy Joshuas are Samuel Riley, Anderson Riley, Past Most Excellent Grand High Priest Henry B. Parker, Honorary Past Most Worthy Grand Joshua Markeith McCarthy, and a few others who are unknown. Our current Most Worthy Joshua is Timmie Richardson.

Noteworthy Members:

Past Most Ancient Matron Mahalia Bacon was appointed District Deputy Most Ancient Grand Matron of District #21, at the Grand Session of 1965, by Most Ancient Grand Matron Lulu Johnson and Grand Venerable Patron E.D. Gibson. She served faithfully in that capacity until her death. A court was named in her honor in 1966. That court is now defunct. Heroine Bacon served on various committees in the Grand Court and was instrumental in organizing many courts and the Capitol City Council. She resided at 415 Virginia Street, Tallahassee, Florida. Heroine Bacon is also known, loved and hailed as a pioneer of the Most Worshipful Union Grand Court Heroines of Jericho.

Past Most Ancient Matron Delores Freeman was appointed District Deputy Most Ancient Grand Matron, at the Grand Visitation of 1999, by Most Ancient Grand Matron Thelma Sheffield and Bishop Lorenzo Hall. She served in that capacity until 2002. She and MAGM Sheffield were childhood friends, whose fathers were both Master Masons. Heroine Freeman also served as the Grand CBA Secretary. She is a member of Sheba Chapter Order of the Eastern Star, a charter member/Chaplain of Ruth Court #2, LOCOP, Hope Guild #15 HOTC, O.J. Chestnut, Order of the Golden Circle and Past Illustrious Commandress of Ahmed Court #134 D.O.I. She worked closely with Strong and Jones Funeral Home. Rev. Freeman is a Minister at Flipper Chapel A.M.E., and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Past Most Ancient Matron Marie McCelvy was an awesome leader who held many leadership positions in and out of the Masonic Family. She was a member of Order of the Eastern Star, a charter member of Ruth Court #2 LOCOP, Hope Guild #15 HOTC, Ahmed Court #134 DOI and, in addition to being in all of the Female Houses of Masonry, Heroine McCelvy served many years as the State Grand Loyal Lady Ruler of the Fred Alexander Grand Assembly, Order of the Golden Circle. She was the State Grand Worthy Counselor of the Order of Calanthe for the State of Florida, holding Supreme Positions in that order.

Most Worthy Joshua MarKeith McCarthy has served in many capacities in the Grand Court. He has been a District Joshua, a Grand Court Director and has served as the Deputy Most Worthy Grand Joshua. During the 2016 Grand Convocation, Hero McCarthy was bestowed the Degree of a Honorary Past Most Worthy Grand Joshua. In addition to this he is a Past Master of H.E. Daniels Lodge #532, Past Excellent High Priest of Triangle Chapter HRAM and a current District Deputy Grand Master.

Through the years, Venus Court has initiated many beautiful women and has been a beacon light to the city of Tallahassee. Currently, we work in affiliation with St. James Chapter HRAM. In our efforts to keep the dream alive we have become the Vivacious Venus Court #65.

Venus Court No. 65 Heroines of Jericho