The Degree of Rebekah was founded in 1851. Like all other institutions which have struggled through adversity to the ultimate success and honor, various claims of authorship have been made. But, notwithstanding all these claims, the real author and founder of the Rebekah Degree stands out so prominently and with such undying fame, that whenever the word "Rebekah" is mentioned to an Old Fellow, his mind at once associates with the word the name of our beloved brother Schuyler Colfax.

Grand Sire Robert Griffin appointed Colfax of Indiana, Martin of Mississippi and Steele of Tennessee to prepare a ritual pertaining to the Rebekah Degree and report at the next session. Selection of Schuyler Colfax as Chairman of this Committee proved to be a wise choice indeed. His adaptation to the work at hand was peculiarly fitting in every respect. He possessed a firm will to carry out his purposes and convictions when once established in his mind. He seemed to have been the one to launch forth on the sea of humanity the culmination of the hopes and desires to add the fairest pillar which adorns and supports the Temple of Odd Fellowship.

In 1851, the annual session at Baltimore, Maryland, the Committee made its report. Immediately, opposers offered a Resolution that this report be tabled but it failed to pass. Many and varied schemes were used to delay action. This report was buffeted around until the last day of the session when Colfax arose and put the question, "Shall the report of the Female Degree be accepted?" Then the fiercest verbal battle in the history of the Order occurred that day. It would seem that if it had not been for the women, they would have lost. The women wanted this Degree and went to work using their charms and talents. They told their husbands what to do. Some were told that if they didn't vote for the Rebekah Degree, they needn't come home. After the clouds cleared away, the vote was 46 for and 37 against. That was September 20, 1851.

In 1867, the Grand Sire realizing that something had to be done after a trial of sixteen years, recommended that the Degree be recognized as one of the Degrees of Odd Fellowship or that it be entirely abolished. He further recommended, if fully recognized, that it be established on a firmer basis with the right to confer the Degrees on others, with a Code of Uniform Laws and the right to elect its own officers and members. The Sovereign Grand Lodge concurred in the recommendation and from this time the success of the Rebekah Degree was assured.

The regalia to be worn by members was adopted in 1869. In a conversation with the writer on March 1, 1877, Brother Colfax said that the most impressive ceremony he ever witnessed was the conferring of the Rebekah Degree shortly after its adoption upon seventy-five ladies at one time in the City Hall at Indianapolis.

In 1884, it was decided that the various Grand Lodges had the authority to permit the Rebekah Lodges to send delegates to a State Convention, Assembly or Grand Lodge for the purpose of promoting the interest of the Degree of Odd Fellowship. It was not until 1886 that the conferring of the Rebekah Degree was discontinued in the Odd Fellow's Lodge. It was then that Rebekah and Odd Fellow Lodges became two distinct and separate organizations in as far as Lodge work was concerned.

The full measure of woman's influence in the work of Odd Fellowship has never been properly estimated and only time will enable us to establish its true value, and then, glancing backward upon its glorious achievements and outward and onward toward its dawning possibilities and contemplating the symmetry and beauty of its perfected proportions, we will be impelled to exclaim with the Queen of Sheba when she witnessed the glory of Solomon, "The half has not yet been told."

One of the most fiercest battles in our fraternal history occurred at the session of the Grand Lodge of the United States held in Baltimore, Maryland, September 20, 1851. After the clouds had passed away it was 46 votes for the Rebekah Degree and 37 against. At the time it really was only a hollow victory because it became a side or Honorary Degree. For seventeen years, there was no real organization and the Rebekahs began to hold their meetings without benefit of a Subordinate Lodge and to make matters worse, their meetings, as well as socials, were held on Sundays.

In 1866, the Most Worthy Grand Sire Veith appointed a committee to study the violations; to either take the Degree of the books or furnish the necessary means to improve it. On September 25, 1868, by a vote of 69 to 28, Resolutions were presented authorizing the institution of Degree Lodges of the Daughters of Rebekah. This authorization put the Degree on a plane with Odd Fellow's Lodges. This gave them the right to elect their own Officers, charge for initiation fees, collect dues and minister to relief and suffering. It is recorded that Past Grand Sire Farnsworth said, "It sure seems silly to call a Brother a sister". In 1874, the name of Daughters of Rebekahs was changed to Degree of Rebekah.

It is clear to see that the Grand Lodge of the United States organized the Rebekah Degree and then left it entirely alone. It soon became apparent that further legislation was needed because the reports were confused and unsatisfactory. A better system was employed with proper papers to report on. Great improvements were made which led to better service.

The first National Convention of the Degree of Rebekah was held in Columbus, Ohio, September 17, 18, 19, 20, 1889. It was quite a celebration with a banquet with 500 in attendance. Many eloquent speeches were made by distinguished guests. The convention was called to order by Past Most Worthy Grand Sire Nickolson of Boston as he was chairman.

Mrs. Mary E. Rea of Missouri was the first President elected. The International Association of Rebekah Assemblies was founded in 1922 at Detroit, Michigan. By 1927, all Rebekah Assemblies had joined except California. That Assembly joined at Sacramento, California in 1949. Being a large Assembly, it added greatly to its membership. The Rebekah Assembly of Cuba joined in 1955.

It was natural and logical that Colfax should use the women of the Bible in creating a Degree for women. He chose Rebekah for affection. He chose Ester for Patriotism. He chose Sarah for Faith. He chose Deborah for Courage. He chose Miriam for Zeal and Devotion. He chose Mother of Sampson and Hannah for Piety. Why did he chose the name Rebekah? Was it because she was the most lovable woman of the Bible? Was it because Daughters of Rebekahs sounded better than Daughters of Sarah?... or Ruth? ... or Ester? It must have been because he wished to symbolize unselfishness because Rebekah, more than others, displayed that trait in the scene at the well. There is a hint of self in all the others, Hannah, Deborah, Ruth, Sarah and Miriam were serving their own loved ones, but Rebekah is shown ministering to the poor unknown stranger. For that reason, the Daughters of Rebekah pledge themselves to follow her example.