INTERNATIONAL ORDER OF FREEMASONRY FOR MEN AND WOMEN,
LE DROIT HUMAIN, AMERICAN FEDERATION™
LE DROIT HUMAIN, AMERICAN FEDERATION™
History of the American Federation of the
International Order of Freemasonry for Men and Women, Le Droit Humain
Louis Goaziou came to America from France at the age of 16 years and found work in the Pennsylvania coal mines. As an adult, he started a monthly newspaper in French, which he edited and printed himself. In 1902 this paper began to appear weekly and attracted the attention of a Professor of French at Columbia University of New York City, Antoine Muzzarelli.
Brother Muzzarelli (who was originally a member of another Order) was also interested in the newly organized Le Droit Humain Order. He corresponded with Brother Goaziou for about a year about the possibility of forming a lodge at Charleroi, Pennsylvania, and in September 1903 there were fifteen applicants. About the middle of October a meeting of all the prospective members was held at the Goaziou home and Muzzarelli told them of the new Co-Masonic Order recently formed in France and that he had the authority to represent that new Order. All of the applicants had progressive ideas about women and they decided to choose the new Order which would admit women.
On October 18, 1903, Louis Goaziou and eleven other men and the next day Mrs. Marie Goaziou and Mrs. Marie Barthelot were initiated. On October 25, 1903 the first Co-Masonic Lodge in America, Alpha No. 301 of Charleroi Pennsylvania was consecrated. By August 1904 six more Lodges had been opened,
On November 7, 1908, the American Federation of Human Rights was formed and Louis Goaziou was elected its first President. On November 21, 1909 he received the 33rd Degree and became the Representative of the Supreme Council in Paris, France for the American Federation of the Order of International Co-Freemasonry Le Droit Humain (the original name of our Order).
In addition to the Scottish Rite, some York Rite degrees were added to the degrees worked.
Today, the American Federation has lodges all across the United States and the creation of new lodges continues.
Brother Muzzarelli (who was originally a member of another Order) was also interested in the newly organized Le Droit Humain Order. He corresponded with Brother Goaziou for about a year about the possibility of forming a lodge at Charleroi, Pennsylvania, and in September 1903 there were fifteen applicants. About the middle of October a meeting of all the prospective members was held at the Goaziou home and Muzzarelli told them of the new Co-Masonic Order recently formed in France and that he had the authority to represent that new Order. All of the applicants had progressive ideas about women and they decided to choose the new Order which would admit women.
On October 18, 1903, Louis Goaziou and eleven other men and the next day Mrs. Marie Goaziou and Mrs. Marie Barthelot were initiated. On October 25, 1903 the first Co-Masonic Lodge in America, Alpha No. 301 of Charleroi Pennsylvania was consecrated. By August 1904 six more Lodges had been opened,
On November 7, 1908, the American Federation of Human Rights was formed and Louis Goaziou was elected its first President. On November 21, 1909 he received the 33rd Degree and became the Representative of the Supreme Council in Paris, France for the American Federation of the Order of International Co-Freemasonry Le Droit Humain (the original name of our Order).
In addition to the Scottish Rite, some York Rite degrees were added to the degrees worked.
Today, the American Federation has lodges all across the United States and the creation of new lodges continues.
