A Little-Known Organization of Black Women You Should Discover

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• A Little-Known Organization of Black Women You Should Discover

by Samira James

Updated: March 29, 2021

Originally Published: March 29, 2021

Have you ever come across the United Order of Tents of J.R. Giddings and Jollifee Union? Likely not. Many would be surprised to learn that this is a discreet 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 enigmatic fraternal societies entirely led by Black women.

This organization, which has historical ties dating back to the Underground Railroad in Norfolk, Virginia, was established by two formerly enslaved women, Annetta M. Lane and Harriet R. Taylor. Although not much is known about Taylor, Lane’s story is significant; as a nurse on a plantation, she had the opportunity to navigate between the enslavers and those enslaved. She leveraged this position to assist others in escaping to freedom through the Underground Railroad.

In 1867, Lane and Taylor formally incorporated the organization using the names of white abolitionists, J.R. Giddings and Jollifee Union, for understandable reasons. It became the first mutual aid society for women chartered in Virginia post-Civil War. The name pays homage to the tents that runaway slaves utilized as shelters during their escapes, with the organization envisioned as a “tent of salvation” to uplift the Black community during the challenging Reconstruction era.

The chapters of the Tents dedicated their efforts to community service, focusing on caring for the sick and elderly, assisting those in need, and ensuring that deceased members received dignified burials. They established several homes for the aged, including Rest Haven Home for Adults, which operated for over a century. The Order also provided loans to community members when traditional banks turned them away, as well as group insurance for members who faced rejection from insurance companies.

While these initiatives may seem minor, the work of The Order of The Tents was often radical and at times perilous. Lane and her fellow members embarked on this mission in a segregated world, where many former slaves had only just gained autonomy, and Black individuals were treated as second-class citizens. Their commitment to supporting former slaves and fostering economic independence within Black communities was both brave and necessary.

Aware of the risks involved, the organization maintained a level of secrecy. This sisterhood developed unique rituals and customs that remained exclusive to its members. Individuals wishing to join must receive an invitation from an existing member, and they adhere to a Christian code, which likely contributed to the safety of the Order’s members.

Over its 120-plus years of existence, The United Order of Tents has expanded to include national, district, and local membership levels across Georgia, North Carolina, the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia. It has served as a social organization, a sanctuary of sisterhood, and a collective force for community action.

The United Order of Tents played a crucial role in what has been termed “the Black women’s club movement.” This movement saw the gathering of Black women in fraternal organizations aimed at 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 create the National Urban League. Many of these women were pivotal in establishing the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

Mary Church Terrell, the inaugural president of NACW, eloquently articulated the essence of these organizations in her first presidential address, declaring, “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 Annetta M. Lane and Harriet R. Taylor. Yet, the women of the United Order Of The Tents faced numerous prejudices and still pressed on with vital community work behind the scenes. Despite their years of operating discreetly, they deserve recognition for their contributions.

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Summary:

The United Order of Tents, established by Annetta M. Lane and Harriet R. Taylor, represents a little-known yet significant organization of Black women dedicated to mutual aid and community support since its inception in 1867. It played a vital role in fostering economic independence and social welfare in a segregated society, contributing to the larger Black women’s club movement. Their legacy remains important in understanding the history of community organizing among Black women.