This past weekend we traveled to Jacksonville, Florida for the final two Grand Master Official Visits for the year; as well as the Official Picture Unveiling for our Junior Past Grand Master, M.:W.: Robert J. Lambert at the Grand Lodge of Florida. These events are the highlights of the year for Masonic Districts around the state and a chance for the Brethren to dress up, and bring their ladies out for a great night of food, fun and fellowship.
For most of the ladies, the fraternity is an unknown part of their husbands lives in which he dresses in his finest and ventures out a few nights a month (or more) for secret meetings. For many of the ladies, these Official Visits are really one of the few times they can see the fraternity in a public setting and participate in the festivities of the evening. For a few others, they may be part of the planning and execution of the event; and for an elite few, they become the “Belle of the Ball”.
The “Belle’s of the Ball” or First Ladies of Masonry, are the spouses of the Grand Masters and travel with them to all of these special events across. Their impact is greater than you may imagine, as they take upon themselves many great efforts during their years in the Grand Line and as First Lady. Each of these wonderful ladies has given of their time and energy to speak publicly about our Masonic Home and raise monies from across the state to support various programs to make our Masonic Home a wonderful destination and home for our residents. Their tireless efforts are visible and impactful long after their tenure is completed, yet they still travel and show their support years after their time in the spotlight has past.
PHOTO: The past and present First Ladies in the photo Carol Lambert (2022), Sandy Turlington (2020) and Odessa Bishop(2023)
If you are an active Mason, it is important to realize that our ladies give greatly of their time and or lack of your time as you pursue your labors in Freemasonry. They deserve our love and thanks for their sacrifice as we give of ourselves to the fraternity we love. Our fraternity is often called a family, and the strongest Lodges are the one’s whom live this creed everyday. Families require time and effort to build and maintain. Be a beacon of hope, love and family in your community and make your ladies part of that family as well. A strong family means a strong Lodge!
In my travels across the state for the past few years, my wife and I have met and come to admire all of our First Ladies and enjoy our time with them and supporting their programs. We owe them a debt of gratitude for their service and sacrifice they have made to our Craft.
~ Thank you Ladies for your never ending support!
It’s a great day to be a Mason!