In the teachings of the Order of the Amaranth, members are reminded of their duties to God, to their country, and to their fellow beings; to portray their belief in the Golden Rule and in truth, faith, wisdom, and charity, which are the virtues of the Order. The Order of the Amaranth means a challenge to build higher and stronger upon the foundations of fraternal love and service. It means the hand of fraternal friendship to those in distress . . . thinking about and remembering its members in their hours of sorrow and sickness. It means the challenge to stamp out diabetes.

The Order of the Amaranth, an organization for Master Masons and their female relatives who are 18 years of age and older, has been a part of the Masonic family for well over 100 years. Members of Amaranth, known as "Honored Ladies" and "Sir Knights," meet monthly in "courts" throughout most of the United States, Canada, Australia, the Philippines, England, and Scotland. Pennsylvania's membership totals more than 4,000 honored ladies and sir knights in 35 courts.

Members of the Order of the Amaranth have made a great impact on the communities where they meet and serve, as well as in the field of diabetes research. In 1979, the Amaranth Diabetes Foundation was formed as a means to focus the Order's charitable efforts to raising funds for diabetes research. Thus, through a commitment of more than 20 years, the Order of the Amaranth has become the largest donor to the American Diabetes Association Research Foundation. Indeed, the Order's philanthropic project provides its motto: "Amaranth Fights Diabetes."

Pennsylvania members raised $80,000 in 2001 for diabetes research, with cumulative giving amounting to nearly three quarters of a million dollars. Internationally, cumulative contributions totaling more than $5 million have been given to the American Diabetes Association. All funds are given to doctors selected by the American Diabetes Association strictly for research. Members raise the moneys in numerous ways, including, but not limited to, golf tournaments, apple dumpling sales, flower bulb sales, and the cow patty drop. No administrative fees, salaries, or advertising moneys are taken from the Amaranth contributions.

In each court, members focus on the teachings of "Truth, Faith, Wisdom, and Charity." The Holy Bible is the focal point of the court room and the ritualistic ceremonies are derived from the Royal Court, governed by Queen Christina of Sweden hundreds of years ago. The presiding officer, known as "the Royal Matron," wears a crown and all honored ladies wear long gowns and gloves. Sir Knights may wear either a tuxedo or a dark suit and may serve in a majority of the offices.

For information on the Order of the Amaranth, or to learn the location of Amaranth courts, contact Loretta McGlaughlin, Grand Secretary, P.O. Box 383, McKeesport, PA 15134-0383; or e-mail pagrandsec@juno.com; or visit the web site at www.paamaranth.org.