Odd Fellows Brotherhood: Famous Members

The Independent Order of Odd Fellows is one of the oldest and largest fraternal and service organization in the world. It is believed that the organization originated from a medieval working men's guild composed of 'Fellows' from different 'Odd' trades. They associated together for the common good, to protect and care for their fellowmen and communities in times of need, whether it was rebuilding a barn that had burned, or putting in a new crop after a devastating season. Such helpers came to be known as "Odd fellows," named by the general population who also thought they were "an odd bunch of fellows" who would behave in such a selfless and seemingly impractical fashion. The group then adopted the name.
By year 1700s, there were a number of Odd Fellows organizations in England. In 1810, a number of these groups united to form the "Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Manchester Unity" which then chartered the Odd Fellows in America founded in 1819 by five members of the fraternity from England. It was the first fraternal organization to accept women when U.S. Vice President Schuyler Colfax encouraged the organization to adopt the Rebekah degree. It was also the first to establish homes for the elderly and orphaned children. Moreover, it was the largest fraternal organization in the world during the 'Golden Age of fraternalism' claiming over 3.4 Million members in 1915. Although non-political and non-sectarian, it also claimed several notable members who included approximately six U.S. Presidents such as Franklin Roosevelt and Warren Harding, as well as many U.S. Senators, Governors and community leaders. King Gustav V of Sweden, King Olav V of Norway and Sir Winston Churchill were also identified as members. Lucy Hobbs Taylor, the first female American dentist, was also a member of the organization.
Currently, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows has more than 10,000 chapters in 26 countries. Members are dedicated to improving and elevating the character of mankind and make the world a better place to live by practicing the principles of friendship, love and truth and by aiding the community, the less fortunate, the youth, the elderly and the environment in every way possible. Locally, nationally and internationally, they are involved in various charitable causes and humanitarian endeavors such as their Global relief and disaster fund which spends over $775 million in relief projects annually, Educational Foundation which gives scholarships and low-interest student loans every year, Living Legacy program which focuses on planting trees and saving the environment, and the United Nations Pilgrimage of the Youth which sponsors High School students on a one-week trip to the United Nations. They are also regular donors to Arthritis Foundation, Visual Eye Research Foundation and several other foundations. Moreover, the organization also manages more than 80 homes for the elderly and orphans and several recreation camps and parks in America, Canada and Europe. They also sponsored an S.O.S. Children's Village which houses orphans and AIDS victims in Cambodia.
www.ioof.org