YESTERDAY: Rainbow Girls

Published 12:00 am Sunday, January 15, 2012

Elizabeth Smith of Woodleaf provided this photograph of the Rainbow Girls, affiliated with the Order of the Eastern Star, during their 1958 installation of officers at the Masonic Temple in Salisbury. The International Order of the Rainbow for Girls was founded in 1922 and still has chapters in many communities across the country. Intended for girls 11 to 21, the Rainbow Girls at their initiation learn the seven lessons of love, religion, nature, immortality, fidelity, patriotism and service — symbolized by the seven colors of the Rainbow. Smith, then Elizabeth Withers, is the fourth girl from the left in the second row. In the first row, left to right: Sandra Mullis, Peachy Swicegood, Jerrie Chambers, Cece Monroe, Brenda Williams, Kay Campbell and Nancy Hannah. Second row, from left: Judy Shuping, Pat Bost, Gale Lebenburger, Elizabeth Withers, Linda Roakes, Gloria Crook, Frances Ferrell and Sandra Earnhardt. Third row, from left: Becky Shores, Linda Monroe, Mrs. B.B. Mullis (mother advisor), Miss Mary Bame, Mr. and Mrs. W.E. Monroe, Miss Ann Campbell, Mrs. Mary Bame and Mrs. Theda Richmond.