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Number of countries
with Odd Fellows
lodges.
• The Odd Fellows was
established in England
during the 1700s.
• Odd Fellows lodges
around the world give
money and support to
people in need.
• Some people are
suspicious of the Odd
Fellows and spread
rumors about the
society.
And they took responsibility for
educating children who were
orphaned.
For many years, only men could
join the Odd Fellows. But in 1851,
the society became the first
US fraternity to accept women.
The women are not called
Odd Fellows. They are called
Daughters of Rebekah.
Odd Fellows and
Rebekahs exist to do
charitable acts. But
some outsiders don’t
trust them. Rumors
have suggested the
Odd Fellows are up to illegal
things. None of the rumors have
been proven true.
THINK ABOUT IT
Think of a time when you did
something kind for another person.
How did that make you feel?
Why do you think some people
are suspicious of people who do
charitable acts?
Cover of
sheet music
composed for a
Rebekahs’
march.
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