Rebekahs
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The Rebekahs (the Rebekah Lodges) are the female auxiliary of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. The Rebekah Lodges were founded in the early 1850s, largely due to the efforts of an Odd Fellow named Schuyler Colfax. Initially, the Rebekah Degree was granted at Odd Fellow Lodges, but by the 1880s, the Rebekahs and Odd Fellows conducted separate lodge activities, as they do today. The Rebekah Lodges get their name from the Biblical character of Rebekah. Rebekah Lodges are still active, despite the fact that the Odd Fellows now accept women as full members. There are male and female Rebekah members. Girls too young for membership in the Rebekahs may join the Theta Rho Girls' Clubs, just as boys can join Junior Odd Fellow Lodges. Rebekahs observe the Odd Fellows' creed of "Friendship, Love and Truth", and are engaged in many social and charitable activities worldwide.
