Modern Woodmen of America (MWA)

MODERN WOODMEN OF AMERICA (MWA) -  Modern Woodmen of America is the third-largest (based on assets) fraternal benefit society, with more than 770,000 members. Total assets passed US $14.1 billion in 2014. Though having had the same founder, it is not affiliated financially in any way with another, similarly-styled fraternal benefit society,  Woodmen of the World, and despite the name "Modern" is actually older than its counterpart.

Modern Woodmen of America was founded by Joseph Cullen Root on Jan. 5, 1883, in Lyons, Iowa.  He had operated a number of businesses, including a mercantile establishment, a grain elevator, and two flour mills, sold insurance and real estate, taught bookkeeping classes, managed a lecture bureau, and practiced law.  Root was a member of several fraternal societies through the years.  He wanted to create an organization that would protect families following the death of a breadwinner.

During a Sunday sermon, Root heard the pastor tell a parable about the good that came from woodmen clearing away the forest to build homes, communities, and security for their families. He adopted the term "woodmen."  To complete the name, "modern" reflected the need to stay current and change with the times. "Of America" was added to symbolize patriotism.

Originally, Modern Woodmen had a unique set of membership restrictions and criteria. Religiously, the group was quite open, accepting "Jew and Gentile, the Catholic and Protestant, the agnostic and the atheist." On the other hand, membership was restricted to white males between the ages of 18-45 and only in the 12 "healthiest" states – Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, the Dakotas, Nebraska and Kansas.  Residents of large cities were also disqualified from membership.  Finally, those employed in a long list of professions were also prohibited from joining: railway brakemen, railway engineers, railway firemen, railway switchmen, miners employed underground, pit bosses, "professional rider and driver in races", employee in a gunpowder factory, wholesaler or manufacturer of liqueur, saloon keeper, saloon barkeeper, "aeronaut", sailor on the lakes or seas, plough polisher, brass finisher, professional baseball player, professional firemen, submarine operator or soldier in the regular army in a time of war.  In 1884, the head office was organized in Fulton, Illinois. The first death claim of $698.58 was paid the same year.

Modern Woodmen is a tax-exempt fraternal benefit society. The membership organization sells life insurance, annuity and investment products not to benefit stockholders but to improve the quality of life of its stakeholders – members, their families and their communities.  The organization accomplishes this through social, charitable and volunteer activities.  Modern Woodmen’s fraternal expenditures for member benefits and community programs totaled more than $19 million in 2014. These programs included fraternal aid, college scholarships, tree planting, testing kits, National Parks pass, newborn benefit, orphan benefit, final wishes resource, member discounts and educational programs.