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The Ladies’ Oriental Shrine of North America (LOSNA) was founded in Wheeling, West Virginia in 1903, when the Ladies of Osiris Shriners were invited to attend the social events and festivities surrounding Osiris’ Spring Ceremonial. When the Shriners departed for their Initiation Ceremony, the Ladies were having so much fun, they didn’t want to stop. They surveyed the McClure Hotel and in a joyous mood, began to parade through the halls. They eventually arrived at one of the hotel’s conference rooms. The doors were closed, a guard was set, and within that room, with dignity and sincerity, and without a ritual or prepared paraphernalia, the first session of the Ladies’ Oriental Shrine of North America was held and Isis Court No. 1 came into being. They would henceforth conduct their own affairs, even while continuing to support the Nobles with their Shrine activities. The LOSNA is not an auxiliary of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. They are a separate and distinct Order.
Initially, membership in the LOSNA was restricted to the families of Osiris Shriners, but when the reputation of Isis Court No. 1 reached the Ladies in Pittsburgh, PA and Parkersburg, WV, they wanted to be a part of the fun and thus Allah Court No. 2 and Hathor Court No. 3 were formed.
The Ladies soon realized the need for a Grand Body. Representatives from the three existing Courts met on June 24, 1914 to organize the Grand Council. The top official of the Grand Council is known as the Grand High Priestess, and the Executive Office in a local Court is known as the High Priestess. Today, the LOSNA has over 16,000 members in 78 Courts across North America. The aim and goals of the Ladies’ Oriental Shrine, as set forth at the organizational meeting in 1903, are to promote sociability, good fellowship and the betterment of all Ladies connected with the organization. The Ladies participate in parades, mini-clinics and Shrine Circuses, just to name a few. The Ladies may choose to be active in a variety of special interest Units within the Order such as Oriental Bands, Patrols, Clown or Dance Units. The Ladies are always ready to display their pageantry and glamour in order to show the public how much they enjoy their activities.
When the Shriners founded the Shrine Hospitals for Children and the first hospital was built in 1922, the Ladies committed to supporting the Shrine’s official philanthropy. Today the Courts continue to support the hospital fund, hospital sewing, research projects and other areas of interest. Each Court not only raises funds for the hospitals, but they donate clothing, stuffed animals, purchase equipment, man the information desk in the various hospitals and serve as office personnel on a voluntary basis. The LOSNA contributes well over a half million dollars yearly to the Shrine Hospitals.
The Ladies do not stop at donating funds or the items listed, they also make the rounds of the hospitals with book carts, furnish libraries for the children in the hospitals, hold pizza parties, ice creams socials, sew quilts and gowns, donate funds for playground equipment, donate funds to send a burned child to the Camp Ability Burn Camp, support research, donate examining tables, rocking chairs, pool tables, sofas for the teenagers, prosthetic devices, wheelchairs, baby carriages, car seats, mini cars for the children, numerous wagons, high chairs, computer equipment and software, musical items, and the list goes on. They do this by hosting many special events throughout the year such as Craft Bazaars, Bake Sales, Dances, the Aluminum Tab Collection program, Golf Outings, Cookouts, Dinners, etc.
To become a member of the Ladies’ Oriental Shrine of North America, Inc., a woman must be related to a member of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine or a Master Mason by birth, marriage or adoption. She must be at least 18 years of age and a resident for at least six months in the area of the Court in which membership is desired. Any Subordinate Court, however, may receive and act on the petition of an individual who lives in a city, territory or state where no Court of the Order exists. The Ladies support various special projects with emphasis given to the LOS Special Project for the year, as chosen by the reigning Grand High Priestess. This special project is designed to assist an area of specific need within the Shriners Hospitals such as research into various childhood conditions. For the year of 2007-2008, Lady Laura West, Grand High Priestess, has chosen “Research” in the Shrine Hospitals as the Special Project. Other projects supported include but are not limited to Camp Ability for burned children, the “adoption” of special children and their families and burn education programs. If you are interested in becoming a member of this wonderful Order, you may contact us by sending an e-mail to webmaster@ladiesorientalshrine.org.
If you are interested in forming a new Court of this Order in your area and would like more information, please contact our Order by sending an e-mail to newcourts@ladiesorientalshrine.org.
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