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Discover This Lesser-Known Organization of Black Women
by Elisha Beach
Updated: March 29, 2021
Originally Published: March 29, 2021
Have you ever heard of the United Order of Tents of J.R. Giddings and Jollifee Union? Probably not. You might be surprised to learn that this is a covert organization dedicated to Black women. The United Order of Tents, also referred to as the Grand United Order of Tents, is one of the oldest and most discreet fraternal groups governed entirely by Black women.
This organization, which has its origins tied to the Underground Railroad in Norfolk, Virginia, was established by two formerly enslaved women, Annetta M. Lane and Harriet R. Taylor. While Taylor remains largely unknown, Lane worked as a nurse on a plantation, which allowed her to interact with both enslaved individuals and their white captors. She leveraged this position to assist enslaved people in escaping through the Underground Railroad.
In 1867, Lane and Taylor officially founded the organization under the names of white abolitionists, J.R. Giddings and Jollifee Union, for clear reasons. It was the first mutual aid society for women to be chartered in Virginia after the Civil War. They named the organization in honor of the tents that runaway slaves used for shelter during their flight to freedom, envisioning it as a “tent of salvation” to uplift and support the Black community during the tumultuous Reconstruction era.
The chapters of the organization focused on community service, caring for the sick and elderly, assisting those in need, and ensuring proper burials for the deceased. 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 refused service and offered group insurance for members when traditional companies turned them down.
While these efforts may seem modest, the Order of The Tents engaged in radical and sometimes perilous work. Lane and Taylor began their mission in a segregated society where many former slaves had only just begun to claim their freedom, and Black individuals faced systemic discrimination. These women boldly took steps to support former slaves in their newfound autonomy and foster economic independence within Black communities.
Understanding the risks involved, the organization maintained a veil of secrecy. They developed rituals and customs exclusive to members, and potential new members must receive invitations from existing ones. They also adhered to a Christian code, which likely enhanced the safety of The Order’s members.
Over 120 years, the United Order of The Tents has expanded to include national, district, and local chapters across Georgia, North Carolina, the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia. It has served as a social organization, a haven of sisterhood, and a collective force for action.
The United Order of The Tents was a pioneering force in what is now known as the “Black women’s club movement.” This movement centered on the gathering of Black women in fraternal organizations focused on enhancing their community’s welfare, leading to the formation of the National Association of Colored Women (NACW) and The National League for the Protection of Colored Women, which eventually merged to create the National Urban League. Many of these women also played significant roles in founding the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).
Mary Church Terrell, the first president of NACW, encapsulated the purpose 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.”
Often overlooked during Women’s History Month and Black History Month, figures like Annetta M. Lane and Harriet R. Taylor faced numerous prejudices yet persevered in their vital work to care for their communities from behind the scenes. Although they operated in secrecy for many years, they certainly deserve recognition for their contributions.
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