Can Women Be Freemasons?
Image from The Order of Womens Freemasonry.
Contrary to popular belief, Freemasonry is not exclusively a men's organisation, despite men-only Freemasonry being the largest globally. While many Masons, as well as the public, misconceive Freemasonry as solely a men-only society, with women's involvement limited to appendant orders like Eastern Star or the Order of the Rainbow for Girls, the reality is that women have been practising Freemasonry for well over three centuries.
In this edition of Daily Masonic Progress, we will examine women-only Freemasonry through:
The established Women's Lodges and Grand Lodges that are distinct from Co-Masonic organisations that admit both men and women.
What the critical distinction is in understanding the Masonic landscape between men's and women's Freemasonry.
How we mutually "acknowledge" the important contribution women's Freemasonry makes not just in their communities and the lives of their Masons, but to the Craft in general.
By the end, it is hoped that we can acknowledge the important role that women's-only Freemasonry plays in the greater Masonic universe but make a shift in our mindset about Women Freemasons and how we recognise women's Grand Lodges as practising "otherwise regular" Freemasonry, while not formally "recognising" each other in the specific Masonic sense that would permit intervisitation and reciprocity of membership.
Historical Foundations
The origins of women's participation in Freemasonry can be traced back to pre-revolutionary 18th-century France with the Lodges of Adoption, which were female Masonic societies under the adoption of masculine lodges. The modern lineage of women's Freemasonry began in 1882 when Maria Deraismes, a well-known French writer and women's rights supporter, was initiated into Loge des Libres Penseurs, working under the Grande Loge Symbolique de France. This event sparked a movement that would eventually spread to England.
By 1902, the British Federation of the International Order of Co-Masonry was established under the leadership of Annie Besant. However, in true Masonic fashion, some members desired to practise Freemasonry more aligned with UGLE traditions, leading to the formation of the Honourable Fraternity of Antient Masonry (HFAM) in 1908, which later added "The Order of Women Freemasons" (OWF) to its title.
Five years later, in 1913, another breakaway occurred when Mrs. Elizabeth Boswell Reid and her daughter Mrs. Lily Seton Challen established the Honourable Fraternity of Ancient Freemasons (HFAF), now also known as Freemasonry for Women (FFW). Initially, these organisations included both men and women, but by the 1920s and 1930s, they had evolved into exclusively female organisations.
Modern Women's Freemasonry
Today, women's Freemasonry continues to thrive globally. The two principal women's Grand Lodges in England—the Order of Women Freemasons (OWF) and Freemasonry for Women (FFW/HFAF)—operate following the same Constitutions, rules, and regulations as UGLE. They promote identical values of integrity, friendship, respect, and service that are central to all legitimate Freemasonry.
The HFAF has expanded internationally, establishing lodges in Gibraltar, Spain, Romania, India (Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Hyderabad), Washington DC, with plans for further expansion in Germany and Brazil. Similarly, the OWF has grown from its original three small Lodgeslodges in 1908 to numerous locations worldwide, including Spain.
Women's Masonic organisations practise the same degrees as men's Freemasonry. The HFAF, for instance, established the Chapter of Hidden Splendour no.No. 1 of the Holy Royal Arch in 1916, the Keystone Mark Lodge no.No. 1 in 1932, the Rose Croix 18th Degree Rose of Sharon Chapter no.No. 1 in 1935, and later added Ark Mariners in 1996 and Knights Templar in 2001.
Acknowledgment Without Recognition
UGLE has made the first official pronouncement on women and Freemasonry, the earliest being in 1999. Today, their website states: "There exist in England and Wales at least two Grand Lodges solely for women. Except that these bodies admit women, they are, so far as can be ascertained, otherwise regular in their practice." This careful wording is significant—it acknowledges the legitimacy of women's Masonic practice while maintaining the distinction that formal recognition (which would allow intervisitation) is not extended.
The statement continues: "They are not recognised by this Grand Lodge and intervisitation may not take place. There are, however, informal discussions from time to time with the women's Grand Lodges on matters of mutual concern." This established a framework for cooperation without changing the fundamental position of separate organisations.
This nuanced relationship differs significantly from how UGLE views irregular or clandestine men's Masonic bodies. Women's Grand Lodges are acknowledged as practising legitimate Freemasonry, with the only substantive difference being gender composition. This is why UGLE explicitly states that "Brethren are therefore free to explain to non-Masons, if asked, that Freemasonry is not confined to men (even though this Grand Lodge does not itself admit women)."
Cooperation Without Integration
Despite the absence of the usual recognition, there is substantial cooperation between men's and women's Freemasonry. UGLE and both women's Grand Lodges collaborate on initiatives such as the Universities Scheme, which introduces Freemasonry to college students. They jointly participate in Open House London at Freemasons' Hall to showcase both male and female Freemasonry and cooperate in various activities throughout the country. The Grand Masters of the Women's Grand Lodges were invited to UGLE's 300th anniversary celebration, demonstrating mutual respect at the highest levels.
This relationship is deliberately maintained as separate but parallel. As explicitly stated, "Neither OWF nor HFAF has any desire or intention to change their exclusively female membership, and their members value the practising of Freemasonry in a safe and single-sex environment. This is supported by UGLE. Both Women's Orders are entirely supportive of the UGLE remaining an exclusively male organisation."
The Value of Gender-Specific Spaces
Both men's and women's Freemasonry organisations see value in providing gender-specific spaces for their members. As MW Christine Chapman, Grand Master of the HFAF, expressed in an interview: "At HFAF, we want to work as women, for an organisation of women, doing things for women." She compares it to football: "the same game, the same rules, but different teams."
This approach aligns with principles of freedom of association and is comparable to other aspects of society, such as certain sports or social organisations. The gender-specific nature of each organisation allows for tailoring to the specific needs and experiences of their respective members while maintaining the universal principles of Freemasonry.
Membership and Practices
The requirements for joining women's Freemasonry mirror those of men's organisations. Candidates must profess belief in a Supreme Being, be of good character, and be at least 18 years old. The FFW specifically welcomes women resident in the UK, Europe, India, or North America.
An interesting aspect of women's Freemasonry is that members address each other as "Brother" rather than "Sister." This practice dates back to their early history, reflecting their status as members of a universal brotherhood. The ritual used in their ceremonies is largely adapted from men's ritual and predominantly uses masculine forms of address, a tradition they have maintained.
Like their male counterparts, women Freemasons place significant emphasis on charity as part of their Masonic teachings. The HFAF, through its registered charity, supports numerous causes with special emphasis on those providing relief to cancer sufferers, particularly women and children.
It’s still Freemasonry
Freemasonry, at its core, is a philosophical and ethical system that, like transcending race, religion, wealth, and career, it also transcends gender. The principles of integrity, friendship, respect, and charitable service are universal values that both men and women can embrace and practise. The existence of women-only Masonic bodies that are acknowledged as "otherwise regular" by UGLE confirms that Freemasonry, as a philosophy and institution, is accessible to both men and women but practised in separate organisations.
Women's Freemasonry has established a legitimate tradition spanning over a century in its current form, with roots extending back three centuries. The careful balance of acknowledgment without formal recognition has allowed both men's and women's Freemasonry to flourish independently while maintaining mutual respect and cooperation on matters of common interest.
As Freemasonry continues to evolve in the 21st century, this relationship between men's and women's Masonic bodies offers a model for how traditional institutions can still honour their respective traditions. The journey of women in Freemasonry demonstrates that the light of Masonic wisdom shines equally on all who genuinely seek it.
To learn more about Freemasonry for Women: