A small group of Elks’ ladies began meeting together in 1917 to wrap bandages for World War I.  They enjoyed the sociability, and at the same time felt the joy of accomplishment.   The combination of assisting others and enjoying good fellowship appealed to other women, and a community group came together.

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Fifteen members of a group of ladies in Providence, Rhode Island, related to members of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, who were active under the name of “Emblem Club”, developed the idea of a national organization of such groups.  The organization was chartered in the State of Rhode Island as the Supreme Emblem Club of the United States of America by Esther A. Sweeney, Mary T. Duffy, Alice Farrell, Mary L. Clark and Charlotte O’Connor of the “Original Fifteen”, on April 27, 1926.

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During the first year, nine Clubs were formed in four of the six New England States.  Massachusetts formed the most of these original clubs, six in total.  As the clubs continued to grow, the concept was put forth to form a statewide organization uniting all of the clubs across Massachusetts.  From this idea, the Massachusetts State Association of Emblem Clubs was formed on April 6, 1932 becoming the first of many across the United States of America.

 

Today, Emblem Clubs are located in every section of our Country, and the organization is continuously progressing in the charitable works whereby it was organized.  Emblem Club members are of many diverse talents, abilities, and ages, all of whom combine to make Emblem a very special national organization.