Degree of Pocahontas (Daughters of Pocahontas)

DEGREE OF POCAHONTAS (DAUGHTERS OF POCAHONTAS) - The Degree of Pocahontas are the female auxiliary of the Improved Order of Red Men, an American fraternal order.  The Degree was founded in Elmira, New York.  The idea of creating a female Degree was first broached in the early 1850s, however it wasn't until the IORMs "Great Council" of 1885 that Degree was approved.  The first local chapter, the Wenonah Council, #1 of Philadelphia whose "Council Fire was lighted on the 28th Sleep of Cold Moon, G. S. D. 396 (February 28, 1887) at the 828 Red Men's Wigwam Race Street in that city.

In 1907 the Degree had 26,000 members.  As of January 1, 1921, the Degree claimed 120,000 members, averaging approximately 70 per each Council.  In 1977 there were 22,827 members which represented a drop of 1,731 from the previous "two Great Suns", or two years.  In the early 1920s membership was open only to white women over 18, who were of good moral character and "a firm belief evidenced by life and act, and not mere declaration alone in the existence in the Great Spirit - God - in whose hands all power is, and to whom all are accountable."