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A Little-Known Collective of Black Women You Should Discover
by Jamie Collins
Updated: March 29, 2021
Originally Published: March 29, 2021
Have you ever come across the group known as the United Order of Tents of J.R. Giddings and Jollifee Union? Likely not. You might be surprised to learn that it functions as a concealed organization for Black women. The United Order of Tents, also referred to as the Grand United Order of Tents, is one of the oldest and most secretive fraternal societies entirely led by Black women.
This organization, which has its origins tied to the Underground Railroad in Norfolk, Virginia, was established by two formerly enslaved Black women, Clara M. Jones and Mary E. Smith. While details about Smith are sparse, Jones was a nurse on the plantation, which allowed her to navigate between the white enslavers and those who were enslaved. She cleverly used this position to assist enslaved individuals in their escape via the Underground Railroad.
In 1867, Jones and Smith officially established the organization under the names of white abolitionists, J.R. Giddings and Jollifee Union, for understandable reasons. It became Virginia’s first mutual aid organization for women after the Civil War. The founders chose the name to honor the makeshift tents that runaway slaves used as refuges during their harrowing escapes. They envisioned the Order as a “tent of salvation,” aimed at uplifting and supporting the Black community during the trying times of Reconstruction.
The Tents, or chapters of the organization, primarily focused on community work like caring for the sick and elderly, assisting those in need, and ensuring proper burials for the deceased. They founded numerous 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 who were denied by banks and offered group insurance when traditional companies refused to serve them.
While these efforts may seem small, the Order of The Tents engaged in radical—and at times, perilous—work. Jones and Smith began this initiative in a highly segregated society, where many former slaves were only just beginning to gain autonomy, and Black individuals were often regarded as inferior. These women had the courage to support newly freed slaves and to foster economic independence within Black communities.
Understanding the risks involved in their work, the organization operated in secrecy. This sisterhood developed unique rituals and customs that were exclusive to its members. To join, one must receive an invitation from an existing member. Additionally, they adhered to a Christian code, which likely contributed to the safety of the Order’s members.
Over the course of more than 120 years, the United Order of The Tents has expanded its reach, with national, district, and local membership levels across Georgia, North Carolina, Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. The Order has served as a social network, a sanctuary of sisterhood, and a collective force for action.
The United Order of The Tents played a significant role in the inception of what is now called the “Black women’s club movement.” This movement focused on gathering Black women into fraternal organizations aimed at bettering their communities and led 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 create the National Urban League. Many of these women also contributed to the establishment of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).
Mary Adams, the inaugural president of NACW, eloquently expressed the mission of these organizations in her first presidential 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 neglect figures like Clara M. Jones and Mary E. Smith. Nevertheless, the women of the United Order Of The Tents confronted various prejudices and continued to pursue essential community work quietly. Despite operating under the radar for many years, they deserve recognition for their contributions.
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Summary
The United Order of Tents is a historic and largely unknown organization founded by Black women, Clara M. Jones and Mary E. Smith, which has worked tirelessly for over a century to uplift their community through mutual aid and support. Operating in secrecy due to the risks they faced, these women contributed to significant social movements and provided essential services in their communities.
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