The Ladies’ Oriental Shrine of North America (LOSNA) was founded in Wheeling, West Virginia in 1903, when the Ladies of Osiris Shriners were invited to attend the social events and festivities surrounding Osiris’ Spring Ceremonial. The LOSNA is not an auxiliary of Shriners International. Initially, membership in the LOSNA was restricted to the families of Osiris Shriners, but when the reputation o
f Isis Court No. 1 reached the Ladies in Pittsburgh, PA and Parkersburg, WV, they wanted to be a part of the fun and thus Allah Court No. 2 and Hathor Court No. 3 were formed. The Ladies soon realized the need for a Grand Body. Representatives from the three existing Courts met on June 24, 1914 to organize the Grand Council. The top official of the Grand Council is known as the Grand High Priestess, and the Executive Office in a local Court is known as the High Priestess. Today, the LOSNA has over 16,000 members in 76 Courts across North America. The aim and goals of the Ladies’ Oriental Shrine, as set forth at the organizational meeting in 1903, are to promote sociability, good fellowship and the betterment of all Ladies connected with the organization. The Ladies participate in parades, mini-clinics and Shrine Circuses, just to name a few. The Ladies may choose to be active in a variety of special interest Units within the Order such as Oriental Bands, Patrols, Clown or Dance Units. When the Shriners founded the Shrine Hospitals for Children and the first hospital was built in 1922, the Ladies committed to supporting the Shrine’s official philanthropy. Today the Courts continue to support the hospital fund, hospital sewing, research projects and other areas of interest. Each Court not only raises funds for the hospitals, but they donate clothing, stuffed animals, purchase equipment, man the information desk in the various hospitals and serve as office personnel on a voluntary basis. The LOSNA contributes well over a half million dollars yearly to the Shrine Hospitals. To become a member, a Lady must be sponsored by two members of the Ladies' Oriental Shrine of North America. She must be at least 18 years of age and a resident for at least six months in the area of the Court in which membership is desired.
