New Orleans to host Conference of the Imperial Court Daughters
12th August 2024 · 0 Comments
By C.C. Campbell-Rock
Contributing Writer
The Imperial Court Daughters’ International Conference is coming to New Orleans this month.
From August 16 through August 19 at the Sheraton Hotel, the Imperial Court Daughters, an Auxiliary of the Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order Nobles Mystic Shrine (AEAONMS), commonly known as the Prince Hall Shriners, will treat conference attendees royally with a slate of community service activities.
This women-led auxiliary of the masonic order is not to be confused with another facet of the Prince Hall masonic hierarchy, The Eastern Stars.
The Imperial Court Daughters is not a subjugated group. They are female Prince Hall Shriners family members, but they insist on equal rights and recognition for their achievements.
A pioneer in providing community services since 1910, the Imperial Court Daughters is an international organization with over 10,000 members within 227 constituent Courts, including in 44 states in the U.S. and Canada, the Bahamas, Korea, Japan, the Far East and Western Europe.
The mission of the Imperial Court Daughters is “to empower women through service, leadership and education. Fostering unity while promoting charitable initiatives and uplifting communities,” said HPIC Mechelle Martin, Imperial Directress of CHS Public Relations Program.
The auxiliary has held its International Convention in New Orleans before. They were here in 2005 when Hurricane Katrina came and again in 2006.
“New Orleans was chosen for our convention due to its rich cultural heritage, vibrant history, and strong sense of community. New Orleans is known for its resilience and hospitality. It offers an inspiring backdrop that aligns with our organization’s friendship, benevolence, and charity values,” Imperial Court Daughters 50th Commandress & retired Chief Master Sergeant Dr. Karen Wright-Chisolm explained.
“The city’s unique blend of tradition and progress provides the perfect environment to come together and celebrate our 114 years of service, achievements and plans. We look forward to an impactful and memorable experience in this iconic location,” Wright-Chisolm continued.
The organization has 11 Masonic Temples and 10 Courts in Louisiana.
The Imperial Court Daughters International Convention activities include the Sally Berry Fashion Show/ Scholarship Luncheon; Annual Backpack/Tools for School Program; Nursing Home donation; Ernestine H. Buck Special Events; Community Service Awards Program; Project Care Program for Veterans sponsored by the Imperial Court’s Joint Military& Veterans Affairs Departments; National Community Health Initiative (CHI), Annual Twilight Parade; and the Ruth E. Ellerbe Thinking Pink Survivors Program.
“At our annual session, we donate to charities such as March of Dimes, Sickle Cell, Breast Cancer research, scholarships to graduating seniors, and more,” Martin attests.
The Imperial Daughters are hosting a Book Bag Giveaway at the Treme Recreation Community Center, a visit to Veterans Hospital to give away donations and supplies, a walk-in in support of daughters who are breast cancer survivors, and a public forum featuring the “Divine Nine, 100 Black Men, 100 Black Women, Jack & Jill, and the NAACP to inform people who we are, why we are and how we can be of service to the community,” added Wright-Chisolm.
This diverse range of charitable activities is a testament to the Imperial Court Daughters’ Commitment to positively impacting various areas, inspiring and motivating their members and the wider community to participate in their initiatives.
Each year, the Imperial Court Daughters pay tribute to women achievers in the city, hosting the International Convention with the Ernestine H. Buck Special Events Community Service Awards Program.
This year’s honorees are Mayor LaToya Cantrell; Sheriff Susan Hutson; Delta Theta Sigma; Past President Cynthia Butler McIntyre; State Representative Candace Newell; and Kheri Billy, chief executive director of Café Reconcile.
“We try to have the convention in different cities every time. New Orleans has a special place in my heart, and since I’m only going to serve for two years (as Imperial Commandress), I will host our International Convention here next year, too,” Wright-Chisolm concluded.
This article originally published in the August 12, 2024 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.
