- Alexandria, VA Esther Chapter #23 of Prince Hall Mason
Alexandria, Virginia has many African American Civic Organizations. One of the organizations that was established by 20 African American women, was the Esther Chapter of the Prince Hall Mason.
Members of the Grand Chapter of the State of Virginia, Prince Hall, the Alexandria Chapter, became the Order of the Eastern Star on November 26, 1908.
Grand Worthy Patron, Dr. H.L. Harris of Petersburg, Virginia and several others accepted the Alexandria Chapter under the name of Esther Chapter No. 23.
Since 1908, Esther Chapter No. 23 has hosted the Grand Chapter Annual Conference of the State of Virginia six times.
For one hundred and four years, the Esther Chapter No. 23 has served the Alexandria, Virginia community. The present Worthy Matron is Deborah Ford Nelson. From 1909 to 1966, there have been 40 Worthy Matrons.
Clara Lucas – 1909-1923
Katie Jackson – 1923-1924
Bessie Moore – 1924-1924
Katie Franklin – 1925–1926
Laura Dorsey – 1926–1927
Mary Redd – 1927–1928
Carrie Burrell – 1928–1929
Mary Dorsey – 1929–1930
Elnora Littlejohn – 1930-1932
Benjie V. Burke – 1932–1933
Catherine Holland – 1933–1934
Mazie Bouldin – 1934–1935
Emma Simmons – 1935–1936
Etta P. (B. Robinson) – 1936–1937
Lucy Washington – 1937–1938
Cora Henry – 1938 – 1939
Fannie Tucker – 1939-1940
B.M. Kemies – 1940-1941
Evelyn Brooks – 1941-1942
Esther Neal – 1942-1943
Fedora Lucy – 1943-1944
Marie Bowden (Gale) – 1944-1945
Ruth H. Wright – 1945-1946
Irene Terrell – 1946-1947
Bessie Barbour (Reynolds) – 1947-1949
Henrietta Jones (Stone) – 1949-1950
Ethel McCollough – 1950-1951
Virginia Ray – 1951-1952
Margaret Coleman – 1952-1953
Mary E. Burke – 1953-1954
Pearl Gibson – 1954-1955
Bertha Brown – 1955-1956
Emma Holland – 1956-1957
Eva W. Ladrey – 1957-1958
Julia Ratiff – 1958-1959
Mable Price – 1959-1962
Ida Hill – 1962-1963
Florine A. Grayson – 1963-1964
Collia Rivers – 1964-1965
Isabelle F. Poindexter – 1965-1966
Ms. Debbie Ford Nelson provided information on the Esther Chapter No. 23 for this blog. This blog only records the history of African Americans in Alexandria from 1865 – 1965. If you are interested in the Worthy Matrons from 1966 – 2012, please e-mail me and I will forward that e-mail to the present Worthy Matron, Debbie Ford Nelson.
theotheralexandria 
Good morning, I’m a resident in Alexandria VA been here all my life. My father was a mason along with other family members, however I am interested in becoming a Eastern Star. Can you please forward me some information on how to join your chapter.
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Hi Lisa, I am also a native of Alexandria, VA. I am not in the Eastern Star but if you send me your email address, I can forward your email to one of their members. Thank you!
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My god mother was in this chapter and due to her being ill she is no longer active we think. What can we do to keep or get her in good standing with this chapter? Who can i speak with about this .
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Louanna, I will forward you message to a member of the organization. Thanks!
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Greetings,
My name is Shereice Hunter I have been in Alexandria for a couple of years now
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Thanks Shereice! Welcome to Alexandria.
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Greetings,
I am writing to seek information on finding a chapter here in Alexandria VA. I am originally from Mississippi and a inactive member.
I can be reached at ygolden85@gmail.com.
Thank you for time
Yorlanda A Golden
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Thanks Yolanda! I have a friend who is in the leadership role of the Eastern Star in Alexandria, VA. Please contact me on my business line and leave a message with your contact information. My business line will convert your message over to text. You can call at 703-988-7876. I will forward your contact information to my friend. Sorry for the deadline in reading your e-mail. Thanks!
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