Order of Tents true to Christian code
Secret sisterhood quietly serves local community
The Post and Courier
The women of the United Order of Tents is a secretive fraternal organization that dates to Civil War times and is run entirely by black women. From left are Beatrice Givens, queen of the Tents' Charleston District; Ann Blandin, a member since 1977; and Mary Frasier, a ranking member who joined in 1951.
The Post and Courier
The United Order of Tents building is at 73 Cannon St. The organization was founded in 1867 in Virginia and has chapters all along the East Coast.
Muffled voices sound behind the dark wooden door as a young man gently raps his knuckles against the weathered finish.
The door swings open, revealing a group of women clad all in white. They smile and invite him in to find his grandmother. But they will speak no more of their business until he leaves.
The words uttered in this room on Cannon Street are not for the ears of men. Never have been. This is the realm of a sisterhood, born amid strife and built to stand the test of time.
They are members of a secretive society known as the United Order of Tents, a fraternal organization that dates to Civil War times and is run entirely by black women. They adhere to a strict moral code and strive to provide help to those who need it most. But their inner workings remain a mystery, known only to the Tents' progressively graying membership.
For more than a century, secrecy has served as their code, their bond, their protection. But it also has kept the community at large from knowing much about their good works. And it can stifle efforts to recruit new blood in an age when civic groups from Elks lodges to Kiwanis clubs have struggled with declining numbers.
"We're not very good about communicating with the public about our work. We mostly do it among our ourselves," said Ann Blandin of Charleston, a retired social worker who joined the Tents in 1977. "There is a lot we can't tell as well because it is a secret organization."
Some two dozen women huddle in the group's cream-colored meeting room on this Saturday morning. They sit posture-perfect on metal folding chairs, hands folded in their laps, as a pair of portable heaters glow red trying to tame the damp chill. Most of the women are middle age or older. They wear dresses, blazers, pumps and heels — all white, immaculate — as is the custom of their order. A Bible lies open atop a nearby wooden altar draped with purple cloth.
Many of these women have come to these meetings for decades, drawn by the promise of sisterhood and a shared bedrock belief in Christian ideals. Beatrice Givens, queen of the Charleston district, became a Tent member in 1952. Mary Frasier, another ranking member, joined a year earlier.
Frasier followed her mother into the organization and has led one of the district's 11 tents for more than 40 years. "I just have a love of the organization, the sisterhood and the chance to help others," she said.
The mission has changed little since the group's earliest days. It cares for the sick and elderly, helps the poor and needy, instructs the young and makes sure the dead receive a proper burial. They've attended countless funerals, hosted annual Thanksgiving services and raised a pile of money for orphanages, cancer research, a home for the elderly and other causes.
The organization, which has chapters throughout the East Coast, got its start in the 1800s as an Underground Railroad for slaves fleeing the South. The group took its name from the tents the fugitives used as shelter during their escapes. Former slave Annetta Lane founded the first chapter in in 1867 Norfolk, Va. The women called themselves the United Order of Tents of the J.R. Giddings and Jollifee Union after two abolitionists who supported their cause.
The Tents came to Charleston in 1913 and formally incorporated here nine years later. The women met in various locations around the city before purchasing their current headquarters, a hulking, three-story building at 73 Cannon St., in May 1956.
In those days, the building swelled with members and women wanting to join. It was a sign of respect to be asked. A woman had to prove to the group that she was a good Christian and had a solid moral foundation. And don't think they didn't check.
"They were much tougher then, and they were very interested in people," Givens, the queen, recalled with a smile. "You did not do anything wrong in this building. You would have to stand before the altar and asked to be excused."
The Tents still attract earnest candidates, and the group works to build interest among the young with its juvenile program for girls 18 and under. But the Tents' numbers here have dwindled over time, as they have in other chapters and states. The Charleston group boasted 1,800 members in the late 1970s, about 700 more women than the chapter has today. Of those who remain, not all are active.
"There are no men allowed in our organization, and we don't have parties and drinks," Blandin said. "Sometimes that doesn't attract the young people. They want to have fun. But we are trying to lead Christian lives. That is what we are about."
The Tents' 5,700-square-foot building on Cannon Street is showing signs of age, as well, with broken windows peeling paint and evidence of rot. The group renovated the building in 1989 after Hurricane Hugo and rented out the third floor and attic to make extra money. College students trashed the upper floors, and the Tent women didn't have the money to fix them up again. That space sits unused, as does the second floor, where the women once held their meetings.
"With our youthfulness," Frasier said with a wink, "we can't get up the stairs anymore."
Some members, like Frasier, wonder if the Tents would be better off selling the place, in a gentrifying area, and using the money to buy a smaller, single-story building somewhere else. Others, such as the Rev. Helen T. McKune, argue that it would be a travesty to the group's history and tradition to walk away from its longtime home, which the Tents' paid off in 2001.
The group's queen acknowledges the challenges ahead. But she has faith the group will endure, no matter what the odds. "This is a sisterhood, and we just love each other," Givens said. "We have to keep it going. We have to hang in there."
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Comments
CedarPosts (anonymous) says...
Interesting history. So how long before someone says, hey what do you mean white people who are men and are not Christian can't join?
Opps I guess I just did.
November 16, 2008 at 12:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Slick50 (anonymous) says...
Another cult draped in white?
November 16, 2008 at 5:45 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
moonpie (anonymous) says...
CP sounds like IF YOUR WHITE period you can't join. Yeah this wouldn't fly on the white side of town. Some poor black would be protesting and it would get overturned. They would apeaze them.
Double standards? Sort of like black history month, black expo, black miss usa, did I leave anything else out? What a double standard we have set in america today. We are more segregated than ever!
November 16, 2008 at 9:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
UrGatorbait (anonymous) says...
True Christians? Just wtf are true christians and who defines these folks as good chrisitans? What about just good people?
Really, just more religious whackology
November 16, 2008 at 10:31 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
10216340 (anonymous) says...
The Tents began as a black organization so that is why you see the membership is black. Read the story...."The organization, which has chapters throughout the East Coast, got its start in the 1800s as an Underground Railroad for slaves fleeing the South."
However, with the type of work these women do and their mission I seriously doubt that if I, as a white Christian woman were to apply, they would turn me down.
Why are you trying to make this wonderful story and wonderful organization into something other than it is.....a group of caring, giving, loving Christian women who work for their Lord and their community.
Shame on all of you who are trying to muddy this story.
November 16, 2008 at 10:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
beefsaver (anonymous) says...
You know, 10216340, I was wondering how many comments it would take before someone denigrated this organization. I'm not exactly surprised that it was done in the leading entry... although no one has yet blamed the president-elect. I'll take that as a good sign.
"[The Tents] cares for the sick and elderly, helps the poor and needy, instructs the young and makes sure the dead receive a proper burial. They've attended countless funerals, hosted annual Thanksgiving services and raised a pile of money for orphanages, cancer research, a home for the elderly and other causes."
It sounds like they're very focused on their mission of oppressing people like CedarPosts and MoonPie. I bet they also beat up people for their lunch money... good on you for calling them out as the scoundrels they so obviously are.
November 16, 2008 at 12:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CNN_10 (anonymous) says...
These women are willing to give to the community. As for these comments I wonder about the education of these individuals making these stupid comments ???? Oh well some people still do not learn.
November 16, 2008 at 1:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
preachlove (anonymous) says...
A WONDERFUL article about some WONDERFUL women helping the community. Keep up the good work. At least you are doing something to help, whereas there will always be those that DO NOTHING but hate and throw stones. God has a special place for them and a VERY SPECIAL place for you all as well. May God Bless you all!
November 16, 2008 at 3:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
UrGatorbait (anonymous) says...
So CNN Like I asked before, do you have to be just good christians or can just good people give back to the community too?
I wonder about the tolerance of some who denigrate others questions as "stupid."
It's wonderful what the ladies are doing but that's not my question.
November 16, 2008 at 4:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Lovely_One (anonymous) says...
UrGatorbait, sure good people can do whatever they want to. This organization didn't corner the market in helping the community. You can form your own organization and get on board with helping any and everyone you want. In fact, I have proposed that we, the bloggers, form a panel that can come together and do just that; help the community.
So what do you say? Do you have any ideas to lend us on how we can help deter some of the crime in our area or how we can help educate young parents how to be good and effective parents? All "good" suggestions from "good" people are welcomed.
Moonpie, you are invited as well.
November 16, 2008 at 5:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
UrGatorbait (anonymous) says...
I think the paper should have titled the article different. I should have framed the discussion that way.
November 16, 2008 at 7:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CedarPosts (anonymous) says...
Have you been to 73 Cannon Street? They are members of a secretive society run entirely by black women. Not much different from say Augusta National Golf Club, or any number of other clubs that exclude, men, or women, or whites or blacks or Jews or Christians.
Now the issue is where is the outrage? Where are the protesters, and the boycotts and the marchers? Enough said.
I'm sure they do wonderful things and maybe they could use our help, to maintain the building or better yet renovate and sell the Cannon Street location, using the proceeds to fund the groups work for the next several years.
Just my 2 cents.
November 16, 2008 at 8:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
back2u (anonymous) says...
What I find interesting is their claim to be strict, Bible-yielding Christian women. OK, Christians are red and yellow, black and white. And as a Christian myself, I applaud their loyalty to each other and to their mission as women have a vital role in spreading the Gospel in various ways which is what the article was indicating. However, if they are so strict on their Biblical principles and doctrines, they would KNOW that the Bible also speaks AGAINST women holding positions of authority over men in a church. I recall one of the women mentioned in the article had a Rev. title attached to her name. Unless she preaches in a total woman & child church, that is against Biblical doctrine and therefore negates the whole strictness of their position. (Look it up if you don't believe me.)
I do hope that they will be able to reach out to the younger crowd and teach them some lessons in manners. The younger generations' self-centeredness is irking at least. Maybe this sneak-peek into the chapter will spark some interest. Don't these ladies have younger female descendents (or girlfriends of the family's males) they could mold? Afterall, charity starts at home.
November 16, 2008 at 10:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eyfigueroa (anonymous) says...
My lovely grandmother was a Tent. These ladies held our hands and offered shoulders to cry on as they too mourned the loss of a loved one, a sister in their midst.
It is so easy to demagogue a particular organization over a perceived notion of segregation & elitism. Especially in light of organization such as Rainbow Push and the NAACP who on the drop of dime cry racism at every perceived slight. However the Tents are no different than other organizations such as:
Knights of Columbus Catholics
The Masons Male Only
The Shriners Male Only
American Jewish Congress Jews
Where's the outrage at these organizations? Why isn't moonpie picketing The Masons or The Shriners for not allowing her to join? Why isn't Cedarpost DEMANDING to be let into the YWCA or the AJC?
Is it possible that this particular organization was started by and continued by Black Women that these two have a problem?
This very LAUDABLE organization has its roots firmly in the soil of slavery and reconstruction and over the past 100 years has continued to evolve into an organization that not only works within the Black community but ENTIRE communities each chapter resides in.
I have no problem with an organization wanting to designate themselves on the basis of age, gender, religion (or lack thereof), political ideology, ethnicity or even race, as long as they do nothing to infringe upon the rights of others.
Are there hypocrites in the Black community that would cry racism if Whites did the same thing. ABSOLUTELY. But as usual moonpie decides to denigrate a group because in her mind Blacks as a whole think alike, behave alike and in essence are alike.
Moonpie obviously believes that she and her kind are they ONLY ones who can differentiate between a private group simply trying to do good things and a hate group.
Spare me
November 17, 2008 at 1:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eyfigueroa (anonymous) says...
Back2u: It is certainly your right to interpret the Bible as you see fit. You've been taught to think this way and I can appreciate your desire to hold on to such tenets. However, the Bible, though considered the word of God, has been translated from one ancient language to another finally in 1380 being translated into English.
There are countless ideas and ideals of the current versions of the Bible that tells us humans to do many things that are either impossible or illegal to do. If your interpretation of the Bible was strictly enforced we would be sacrificing children, marrying at 12, not eating shellfish or pork, stoning sinners, segregating sick from the healthy, having multiples wives, women not wearing pants, etc.
So forgive me if I don't subscribe to the notion that women are somehow precluded from passing along the Word to men simply because of their gender.
Again, your belief system is yours to have. I steadfastly believe in the 'right' of having a particular value system.
However I wonder, since you seem so fixated on this particular Biblical tenet, do you follow to the letter the others?
November 17, 2008 at 2:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
512c (anonymous) says...
I have always been interested in this mysterious :Order of Tents... It seemed so abandoned, and the wall and all cracked and falling... And here we see the inside ! Awesome story!
anyone heard that there was an asian influence to the name tent? Seems rather nomadic....
January 4, 2009 at 7:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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