MIZPAH GRAND CHAPTER ORDER OF EASTERN STAR
GWM Pratt is grateful to the Membership of Mizpah Grand Chapter and Subordinate Chapters for the good works that you do.
Grand Worthy Matron of Alabama
Shirley W. Pratt was born and reared in Baldwin County, in Foley, Alabama. She
dedicated her life to Christ at a very young age. GWM Pratt was a Member
of Little Rock Baptist Church in Foley, Alabama and served in many capacities.
She is currently a Partner at City Hope Ministries in Malbis, Alabama.
dedicated her life to Christ at a very young age. GWM Pratt was a Member
of Little Rock Baptist Church in Foley, Alabama and served in many capacities.
She is currently a Partner at City Hope Ministries in Malbis, Alabama.
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GWM Pratt graduated from Foley High School (formally known as Aaronville
High School) in 1966. She was named the Salutatorian of her graduating class.
GWM Pratt graduated with honors from Faulkner State Community College in
Bay Minette, Alabama with an AA Degree in Applied Science. She later earned
a Bachelors of Social Work Degree (BSW) from the University of West Florida in
Pensacola, Florida. During the Awards Ceremony, GWM Pratt was awarded a plaque
naming her “Outstanding Student” for the entire Social Work Department.
GWM Pratt earned her Masters of Social work Degree (MSW) from the University of
Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
GWM Pratt became a Member of Rose of Sharon Chapter, OES #617 in 1986. This is a
small Chapter in a rural area that was on the verge of closing due to not having enough
members on the Roll. GWM Pratt was elected Worthy Matron of Rose of Sharon
Chapter #617 in 1989 and the membership grew from twelve Members to fifty-two
members.
In 1999, GWM Pratt was appointed to the position of Grand District Deputy in District
No. 1, serving, Baldwin, Mobile, and Washington Counties. This appointment was
made by the late Grand Worthy Patron, Dr. Charles A. Lett. While serving in this position,
much progress was made. There was a total of twenty-nine chapters, and District One
became the “Number One District” in the State of Alabama.
In 2008, GWM Pratt was elevated to the position of Grand Associate Matron of Mizpah
Grand Chapter OES. She served faithfully under the leadership of Past Grand Worthy,
Matron, Sister Annie J. Pringle for ten years.
In 2018, GWM Pratt was duly elected to her current position as Grand Worthy Matron
OES, Jurisdiction of Alabama, Prince Hall Affiliated. We have approximately 6000
Members on the roll. There has been great progress made, and there is much work to
be done.
GWM Pratt is the proud mother of three children: Geniece (Deceased, 2008, was the City
Clerk for the City of Fairhope, Alabama.)
Kevin, (U.S. Navy Senior Chief for 21 years) and Bridgett, (Baldwin County District
Attorney’s Child Support Coordinator, and an Independent Funeral Director.)
GWM Pratt is a Retired Social Worker with thirty-five years of employment with the
State of Alabama. She served as Program Supervisor at Baldwin County Department
of Human Resources in the Unit of Child Abuse and Neglect.
GWM Pratt served as a Mental Health Intake Counselor with Baldwin County
Mental Health Center for ten years. She received the Director’s Award in
1981 due to her Professional Excellence demonstrated on the job.
GWP Pratt worked with the State of Alabama Vocational Rehabilitation Services
for five years. Hard work is no stranger to GWM Pratt. She knows that hard
work pays off. As a result, she possesses the credentials, qualification, leadership
abilities, and experience to be the Grand Worthy Matron of Mizpah Grand
Chapter, OES of Alabama.
AWARDS RECEIVED:
1981 – Director’s Award from Baldwin County Mental Health Center
1987 – Outstanding Student Award from University of West Florida
1995 – Rose of Sharon Singing Stars Award from OES Members
1997 – Advisory Board Member of Boys & Girls Club of Alabama
1999 – Rose of Sharon Chapter #617 OES Dedicated Services Award
2000 – Outstanding Community Leadership Award from Macedonia Baptist Church
2008 – Cambridge Who’ Who’s Registry of Executives, Professionals and Entrepreneurs
2008 – Outstanding Humanitarian Services Award from Matrons and Patrons Council
2014 – International Women Leadership Association Award
2015 – Leadership Development Award from Word of Life Community Church
2016 – Ministry of Helps Award from Word of Life Community Church
2017 – Home Town Hero Award from Foley Middle School
2019 – Commemoration of Reactivation Award from Pine Grove Lodge #639
FATERNAL AFFILIATIONS:
Member of Rose of Sharon Chapter #617, OES
Member of Matron & Patrons Council District No. 1
Member of Carrie B. Burns Cyrene Crusaders – District No. 1
Member of Heroines of Jericho – District No 1
Member of Rh NU #17 Order of Golden Circle
Honorary Past State Grand Loyal Lady Ruler, Golden Circle of Alabama
Member of Five Points Charitable Foundation
Chairman of Grand Trustee Board, Mizpah Grand Chapter, OES
Grand Worthy Matron, OES of Alabama
GWM Pratt is grateful to the Membership of Mizpah Grand Chapter and Subordinate
Chapters for the good works that you do.
Come as you are
The Order of the Eastern Star is a worldwide social, charitable and fraternal organization with a tradition practiced extensively of its members helping one another and humanity in general. Members of the Order try to live in accordance with high moral principles and join together in chapters in a spirit of charity, truth and loving kindness. the Order of the Eastern Star upholds the belief that we are all part of the brotherhood of man, sisterhood of woman, under a Fatherhood of God.
The Order was designed to serve among women the same purpose as that of Free Masonry among men and to provide the Free Masons with the cooperation of women kindred without accepting them into the Lodge.
The principles are personified by five stories of women taken from the Bible. They are: fidelity, obedience, loyalty, truth and heroic endurance.
For our members – we invite you to look around and find answers to questions that you may have. You will also have access to a variety of forms that you can download for use in your chapter. For those wishing to become members – we invite you to look around and get a feel for what we are about.
How To Obtain Membership
Who may join
Men who are Masons are eligible and women with specific Masonic affiliation may be members. The affiliated Master Masons must be in good standing, or if deceased in good standing at the time of their death.
What if I am not related to a Mason?
On January 20, 2009 we released the bloodline qualification in order to open the membership to those women who will be dedicated to the work of the Order. If you do not meet the qualifications stated above you can still apply. To qualify for membership without the appropriate affiliations, you must be recommended by a Master Mason or a member of the Eastern Stars.
How to join
To inquire about membership, talk to a member, or contact your local chapter. You may download a membership application from this page. Petitions are carefully read, eligibility investigated, and election to membership must be by a vote of the Chapter. The Order strives to select persons of mental, moral, and spiritual quality who will work together in harmony to perform its objectives.
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