How the FOE Began
Touring theater troupes are credited with much of the Eagles’ early growth. Most members were actors, stagehands and playwrights who carried the Eagles story from town to town as they traversed the United States and Canada. The group’s early motto, “Skin’em,” became the secret password to identify members while the official motto was changed to “Liberty, Truth, Justice and Equality.”
As their numbers grew, the Order chose the Bald Eagle as their official emblem and changed the name of the organization to “The Fraternal Order of Eagles, with a goal to “make human life more desirable by lessening its ills and promoting peace, prosperity, gladness and hope.”
Within 10 years of its inception, the organization boasted more than 1,800 Aeries scattered throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico with a membership exceeding 350,000. Members received free medical attention for themselves and their families, weekly payments in case of sickness and a funeral benefit – all valuable services before the widespread availability of medical, disability and life insurance.
The organization quickly became a leader in influencing national politics, pushing to create Mother’s Day and eventually Social Security, Medicare and more. The Eagles’ growing membership, comprised of many prominent local figures, held a position of great influence in communities everywhere.
The Eagles took on their biggest fundraising challenge in 2008, committing $25 million to the University of Iowa to fund The Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center, which opened in August 2014 inside the John and Mary Pappajohn Biomedical Discovery Building in Iowa City, Iowa. The 20,000-square-foot facility hosts a team of more than 100 researchers working on ways to prevent, treat and ultimately cure diabetes.
The Birth of an Auxiliary
For years, women were accompanying male members of the Order to social events. As early as 1914, women were in attendance for the organization’s Grand Aerie Convention, eventually inspiring them to being their own wing of the Eagles – the Ladies’ Auxiliary. Pressure increased to formally recognize the Auxiliary and in January 1926, sitting Grand Worthy President Charles C. Guenther issued an Official Circular explaining that the time had come for definite action in regard to the formal creation of the Auxiliary. When the Eagles assembled for the 28th annual Grand Aerie Convention in August 1926, delegates formally approved the formation of the Ladies’ Auxiliary. On August 14, 1952, Past Grand Worthy President Lester Loble of Montana served as the instituting deputy for the Grand Auxiliary. Because Alta Browning Smith was a primary contributor in the organizing and instituting of the Grand Auxiliary, she was appointed the first Grand Madam President.
Notable Eagles: United States Presidents
Seven United States Presidents have held membership in the Fraternal Order of Eagles:
Touring theater troupes are credited with much of the Eagles’ early growth. Most members were actors, stagehands and playwrights who carried the Eagles story from town to town as they traversed the United States and Canada. The group’s early motto, “Skin’em,” became the secret password to identify members while the official motto was changed to “Liberty, Truth, Justice and Equality.”
As their numbers grew, the Order chose the Bald Eagle as their official emblem and changed the name of the organization to “The Fraternal Order of Eagles, with a goal to “make human life more desirable by lessening its ills and promoting peace, prosperity, gladness and hope.”
Within 10 years of its inception, the organization boasted more than 1,800 Aeries scattered throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico with a membership exceeding 350,000. Members received free medical attention for themselves and their families, weekly payments in case of sickness and a funeral benefit – all valuable services before the widespread availability of medical, disability and life insurance.
The organization quickly became a leader in influencing national politics, pushing to create Mother’s Day and eventually Social Security, Medicare and more. The Eagles’ growing membership, comprised of many prominent local figures, held a position of great influence in communities everywhere.
The Eagles took on their biggest fundraising challenge in 2008, committing $25 million to the University of Iowa to fund The Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center, which opened in August 2014 inside the John and Mary Pappajohn Biomedical Discovery Building in Iowa City, Iowa. The 20,000-square-foot facility hosts a team of more than 100 researchers working on ways to prevent, treat and ultimately cure diabetes.
The Birth of an Auxiliary
For years, women were accompanying male members of the Order to social events. As early as 1914, women were in attendance for the organization’s Grand Aerie Convention, eventually inspiring them to being their own wing of the Eagles – the Ladies’ Auxiliary. Pressure increased to formally recognize the Auxiliary and in January 1926, sitting Grand Worthy President Charles C. Guenther issued an Official Circular explaining that the time had come for definite action in regard to the formal creation of the Auxiliary. When the Eagles assembled for the 28th annual Grand Aerie Convention in August 1926, delegates formally approved the formation of the Ladies’ Auxiliary. On August 14, 1952, Past Grand Worthy President Lester Loble of Montana served as the instituting deputy for the Grand Auxiliary. Because Alta Browning Smith was a primary contributor in the organizing and instituting of the Grand Auxiliary, she was appointed the first Grand Madam President.
Notable Eagles: United States Presidents
Seven United States Presidents have held membership in the Fraternal Order of Eagles:
- Theodore Roosevelt – Cheyenne, Wyoming, 26th President[9]
- Warren G. Harding – Marion, Ohio, 29th President[9]
- Franklin D. Roosevelt – Buffalo, New York, 32nd President[9]
- Harry S. Truman – Independence, Missouri, 33rd president[9]
- John F. Kennedy – Hyde Park, Massachusetts, 35th President[9]
- James Earl "Jimmy" Carter – Atlanta, Georgia, 39th President,[8]
- Ronald Reagan – Santa Barbara, California, 40th President,[8]
