From the   Used with permission

September 1, 2001

A Jobs Daughter member strikes a prayerful pose during a recent meeting. Sentinel Photo by Shmuel Thaler

In the sisterhood: A place where girls can grow into women

By JANE PARKS-McKAY

Sentinel Correspondent

Girls today may fast-forward into adulthood, skipping the tradition of girlhood. But here’s comforting news: Two organizations exist that help girls through the awkward stage, turning them into poised, self-confident women.

Both groups — the International Order of Jobs Daughters and Rainbow for Girls — have been around for years.

With lights often burning late into the night at the Masonic Temple in Santa Cruz, both groups were formed almost a century ago and are supported by the Masons, one of the oldest and largest fraternal organizations in the world.

Roberta Keuter, a Rainbow leader and mother to an active Rainbow Girl who is now in college, compared Rainbows to "a sisterhood. With so many teens wanting to fit in, too many go the wrong way.

"But Rainbows teaches positive teamwork," she said. "The girls learn how to be nice, kind. It’s a safe place where you can get support, be a kid and grow up."

According to George Moyer, a longtime Mason, "It not only gives stability to family life but also provides a vehicle for local community.

"Each teaches elements of responsibility, trust, moral character and the ability to conduct yourself in an acceptable manner, whether it be in a social or business setting."

With business meetings held twice a month, girls follow parliamentary procedure from Robert’s Rules of Order.

"Girls learn to make motions and write minutes," said Kathy Rodden, a local leader of Jobs, whose Masonic roots run deep. Rodden’s two daughters are active in the local chapter.

Jobs and Rainbows are not charitable organizations. However, both are community- service organizations for girls, which donate money and time to charitable causes.

"Through this," said Tricia Lenger, a leader in Rainbows, "girls take on, and learn, leadership roles. From inception to completion, the girls plan activities under the guidance of adult advisers."

Each group selects projects to work on, statewide, and locally. Rainbow Girls are helping "Freedom of Motion," based in Bishop, Calif., an organization whose horses are used to rehabilitate disadvantaged adults and children.

Locally, working through the parks system, the girls are helping protect the Snowy Plovers on the beach by building protective enclosures.

Two years ago, the statewide group gave more than $100,000 to Santa Cruz’s own Jacob’s Heart, well before Oprah’s well-publicized donation.

Jobs Daughters hold rummage sales, dinners, car washes and other activities to raise money. Two years ago, $4,000 was presented to a local baby through H.I.K.E., a supplier of hearing devices to needy children.

But the groups are not just about responsibility and work. They’re about fun, too.

With social activities, bowling, horseback riding, movies and overnight parties, and shopping trips to outlets in San Francisco, the girls learn team- and morale-building and forge longtime friendships.

"I start by telling girls it’s fun. It’s kind of like Girl Scouts, but more formal," Rodden said.

Longtime Jobs Daughter Billie Surran likens the group to a cross between Girl Scouts and a sorority.

Membership in both groups is open to girls ages 11-20. The average member’s age locally is 14, and members come from all backgrounds. A belief in a Supreme Being is required.

While every Masonic organization has origins from the Bible, people of all faiths are welcome.

Joining Jobs costs $5; Rainbows, $15. Formal clothing is required at fancy events such as initiations and installations, but business meetings are casual. A huge borrow-closet of elegant gowns is offered for members’ use.

To join Rainbows, a call to the local group is enough to get you invited to some of the events to see if it’s for you, according to Lenger.

For Jobs, having a Mason in your family is all that’s needed.

According to Rodden, "Most families have Masons somewhere in their family background."

"Only once have we not found a Mason in someone’s family, even going back seven generations," Surran said.

Many of the girls have found it helpful being a member when applying for college. Scholarships are also available.

Why are there two different groups for girls at the Masonic Temple?

Both were started at different times and by different founders, according to Moyer.

"Jobs and Rainbows come from different angles, historically," she explained. "Rainbows is based more on general Biblical times. Jobs comes straight out of the Book of Job.

"For those who found it difficult to find Masonic roots at the time, Rainbows was formed."

Alix Gledhill, 14, is a student at Mission Hill Junior High and a Jobs Daughter. "It’s really a good experience. It builds lots of skills and has given me confidence to speak in front of others."

Elyse Brokaw, 12, joined Rainbow Girls just seven months ago. "I knew a lot of girls that were in Rainbows," the Westlake Elementary student said. "I like doing the fund-raisers and being with the girls."

Roxie Gribble, now a Jobs adviser, is a former member with fond memories. "I came back because it taught me so much self-esteem," she said. "It made a huge difference in my life."