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History of Maggie C. Upshur #53

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Envisioning the Idea

On April 28, 1947, with the dream of establishing a new Chapter in Myra Grand Chapter's District One, Sister Fanniejo Reid and Brother Ronald C. Reid called a meeting in their home to form a club. This meeting included Sisters Dollie Fields, Sara E. Roberts, Dorothy Bennett, Nollie Rogers, Eliza Ginyard, and others.

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Planting the Seed

Once formed, the club started holding monthly meetings, formulated plans and wrote and submitted their Code of Laws for approval to the Parent Body, Myra Grand Chapter. At the time, under the able leadership of the following grand officers (who have all since gone from labor to reward); Grand Worthy Matron: Sister Alma Ringgold, Grand Worthy Patron: Brother John Hill, Grand Deputy: Sister Clara R. Overton and Grand Lecturer: Sister Hilda Ringgold, this club was issued a charter on June 21, 1948.

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Setting the Foundation

The issuance of this charter was in fact a very significant day for its charter members, especially Sister and Brother Reid. It was also a very momentous day in the history of Myra Grand Chapter, as it had been 20 years since a Chapter was organized in the State of MD.

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Branding the Dream

The name Maggie C. Upshur was given to this chapter, in memory of its namesake, the late Sister Maggie C. Upshur, who had untiringly served Myra Grand Chapter in many offices, including her exceptional performance of duties in her role as Grand Financial Secretary for many years.

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Building the Structure 

The first slate of officers and members for Maggie C. Upshur Chapter # 53 were as follows;

  • Worthy Matron: Sister Sarah Roberts

  • Worthy Patron: Brother Ronald C. Reid

  • Associate Matron: Sister Fanniejo Reid

  • Treasurer: Sister Eliza Ginyard

  • Financial Secretary: Sister Lillian Nealy

  • Recording Secretary: Sister Martha Truitt

  • Conductress: Sister Nollie Rogers

  • Associate Conductress: Sister Jessie Sharpe

  • Sister Mary Harding, Member

  • Sister Mary Finney, Member

  • Sister Mary Fitchett, Member

  • Sister Maggie McCardell, Member

  • Sister Frances Sharpe, Member

  • Sister Marie Lyvers, Member

  • Sister Erittes Barksdale, Member

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Expanding the Horizon

In the years that followed, the following members of Maggie C. Upshur served  in the following offices of Grand Worthy Matron and Grand Worthy Patron in Myra Grand.

  • Grand Worthy Matrons

    • the late Sister Ruth M. Perry - 1976 to 1978

    • Sister Virginia V. Vauls - 1981 to 1983

    • the late Sister Alice T. Minor - 1993 to 1995

  • Grand Worthy Patrons

    • the late Brother Ronald C. Reid - 1956 to 1959

    • the late Brother William B. Kidd - 1958 to 1959

    • the late Brother Travis W. Vauls - 1962 to 1963

    • the late Brother Rudolph L. Leonard, Sr

 

In addition, the following Past Matrons and Past Patrons  of Maggie C. Upshur also served in the following elected and or appointed Grand Offices of Myra Grand Chapter;

  • Sisters Ella B. Davis and Fannie Cunningham - District Deputy Grand Matrons

  • Sister Vanessa Thompson - Grand Secretary, Grand Ruth, and Grand Martha

  • Sister Deborah Davis - Grand Adah

  • Sister Janice Pollock - Grand Esther, Honorary Past Grand Worthy Matron

  • Sister Cora Crawley - Grand Necrology Chairperson

  • the late Brother Perry W. Stewart, Sr - Grand Sentinel

  • Brother Brent Haynie - District Deputy Grand Patron, Honorary Past Grand Worthy Patron  

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Continuing the Vision

Since its charter in 1948, Maggie C. Upshur Chapter # 53 continues to strive towards unity and love with a focus on grasping a greater understanding of what it takes to be a great Eastern Star, building a stable and strong financial foundation and growing its membership. In 2012, under the leadership of Worthy Matron Georgene Butler and Worshipful Master Reginald Pate, the Officers and Members of Maggie C. Upshur Chapter # 53 reconnected with our Brother Lodge - John A. Holmes Lodge #89, it was through this connection that we have remarkably increased  our membership throughout the past few years. As of the date of this writing, we are at roughly 89 members, and growly rapidly as we have welcomed 10 new members during the pandemic and looking to welcome more petitioners in the coming weeks. 

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