Have you ever come across the United Order of Tents, a hidden organization of Black women? Likely not. This fraternal group, also known as the Grand United Order of Tents, is one of the oldest and most discreet organizations run entirely by Black women.
The United Order of Tents has its origins in the Underground Railroad in Norfolk, Virginia, founded by two formerly enslaved women, Clara J. Fields and Marie L. Thompson. While not much is known about Thompson, Fields was a nurse on the plantation, which allowed her to navigate between enslaved individuals and their white enslavers. She utilized this position to assist enslaved people in escaping to freedom via the Underground Railroad.
In 1867, Fields and Thompson incorporated the organization under the names of white abolitionists, J.R. Giddings and Jollifee Union, for safety reasons. This marked the establishment of the first mutual aid society for women in Virginia after the Civil War. The founders named the organization in tribute to the tents used by runaway slaves as they sought refuge during their escapes, viewing it as a “tent of salvation” aimed at uplifting the Black community during the challenging Reconstruction era.
The chapters of the organization, or Tents, focused on supporting the sick and elderly, assisting those in need, and ensuring that deceased members received proper burials. They established several homes for the aged, including the Rest Haven Home for Adults, which operated for over a century. The Order also provided loans to community members when banks turned them away and offered group insurance to members when traditional insurers refused to cover them.
While these efforts may seem modest, the work of the Order of The Tents was both radical and often perilous. Fields and Thompson initiated their mission in a deeply segregated society, where many former slaves had just begun to gain autonomy, and Black individuals were still regarded as inferior. These women boldly took steps to empower former slaves with their newfound freedom and foster economic independence within Black communities.
Understanding the risks involved in their work, the organization operated in secrecy. This sisterhood developed its own rituals and customs, accessible only to members. To join, one must receive an invitation from an existing member, and the organization follows a Christian code that likely contributed to the safety of its members.
Over 120 years, the United Order of The Tents expanded to include national, district, and local membership levels across Georgia, North Carolina, the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia. The Order has served as a social organization, a haven of sisterhood, and a collective force for action.
The United Order of The Tents played a crucial role in what is now recognized as the “Black women’s club movement.” This movement centered on uniting Black women in fraternal organizations dedicated to enhancing their communities, leading to the formation of the National Association of Colored Women (NACW) and The National League for the Protection of Colored Women, which later merged with other groups to establish the National Urban League. Many of these women were instrumental in founding the National Association For The Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).
Mary Church Terrell, the first president of NACW, eloquently articulated the mission of these organizations in her inaugural address, stating, “We call ourselves an Association to signify that we have joined hands one with the other, to work together in a common cause… Our association is composed of women… because the work which we hope to accomplish can be done better… by the mothers, wives, daughters, and sisters of the race.”
Women’s History Month and Black History Month often overlook figures like Clara J. Fields and Marie L. Thompson. Nevertheless, the women of the United Order Of The Tents bravely confronted numerous prejudices while tirelessly working to support their communities from behind the scenes. Despite their years of operating in secrecy, they deserve recognition for their significant contributions.
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Summary:
The United Order of Tents, a little-known yet pivotal organization founded by formerly enslaved women, has been providing essential support to the Black community since its inception in 1867. By creating a network of mutual aid, these women addressed the needs of the sick, elderly, and those seeking economic independence during a time of significant societal challenges. Their legacy is intertwined with the broader Black women’s club movement, which played a vital role in advocacy and reform for African American women.
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