The roots of female Freemasonry can be traced back to France in 1882, when Maria Deraismes became the first woman to be initiated into the Gallery of Free Thinkers. Co-Masonry (Freemasonry that accepts both men and women) was transferred from France to the United Kingdom in 1902 by Dr Annie Besant, who became its leader. Bezad was a feminist activist, social reformer and one of the organizers of the 1888 match strike. In 1908, the British Masons were liberated from French control and formed three galleries under a new Grand Lodge. In 1913 the Grand Lodge split after a dispute over degrees (levels of Freemasonry), which led to the creation of two separate organizations to become the Order of Women Freemasons and Freemasonry for Women, both of which continue to operate. Since 1935 they were only women. They are run by two Grand Masters (women’s galleries use the same language, traditions and ceremonies as men). The Freemasonry for Women has several thousand members and the Freemasonry for Women has about 700. There are craft galleries (local galleries) for women masons throughout the UK and abroad, including the USA, India, Gibraltar, Spain and Romania. Masonry came from stone-carving guilds and its symbols are objects used in construction. There are three fundamental degrees of Freemasonry: the first is Initiation, when one joins. the second is Passing to Fellowcraft. and the third is Master Mason, also known as the Raising Ceremony. “When I came in 1976 it was very ‘them and us’ and you had to stay in your place: it was score oriented. But it is much friendlier now; men have relaxed their attitude towards us. At first they were hostile and did not recognize us. “Things have changed a lot,” said Christine Chapman.

Christine Chapman, the most adored brother and great teacher. Nila Malviya, 76, Assistant Grand Almoner.

Susan Bendley, 74, Grand Inspector General, and Marilyn Podro, 82, a charity officer.

“It’s the most wonderful women’s club… The companionship. The fact that the situations in your life are changing – no one knows what is coming – but that is something fixed. You can come in and there is always a friendly person and a warm welcome… If you have been with a partner before but you are not with one later, you still have somewhere to go and feel comfortable. “The accommodation is always there for you,” says Susan Bendley. “I became a member because I was indifferent. I was engaged to a man whose father was a Mason and they had all these wonderful parties α I moved to Brighton and finally found one of the guys I was friendly with. His mother was a Mason and she introduced me to a gallery in London, and here I am. “I never aspired to it, it was an accident. I never dreamed I would get to this position,” said Maxine Besser, a 74-year-old Associate Professor. Historically, Masonry has been a secret affair, with members not allowed to discuss it with strangers. Today there is a bigger opening. I was invited to a meeting at Justice Room 4, part of Freemasonry for Women, in the South London suburb of Southgate. An Ascension Ceremony took place as Mathilde Mbouck, a doctor from south west London, received her third degree and became a Master Mason.

Mathilde Mbouck, 46. During the ceremony, her apron will change from one with two rosettes, meaning she has completed her second degree, to one with three rosettes, indicating that she has become a Master Mason.

Although there is more transparency, there are meeting points that I am not allowed to see as a non-Mason. “I’d rather not use the word ‘secret’, but say we like to keep a little mystery and a bit of a surprise,” said Flora Quintner, 84, a retired English and law lecturer. “For example, you would not be impressed if you just told a friend that you were going to a movie and that friend clarified what happened in the end. It would take away all the enjoyment from the event. Likewise, we keep the details of our ceremony private for the same reasons. “ It was a simple but intense and emotional ceremony for me. It’s a big step and I feel more like part of the whole Mathilde Mbouck family I also ask her about the handshake and the rolled up pants. “Yes, there is a secret handshake, but I’m not going to show it to you,” he laughs. And the leg? “We wear skirts.” The secret handshake is used to indicate the degree to which a Mason has reached. It should only be used during ceremonies and not outside shelters. In the past, if a person wanted to become a Freemason, he almost always had to know someone who was a member and the process can take several years. Now, people can apply online. Those who wish to become Freemasons must meet three conditions: be over 18 years old, have good character (there is an interview to prove it) and while they do not have to belong to a particular religion, they must believe in a supreme being – according to during the ceremonies people are called to swear to a supreme being. And what about allegations of corruption? “Personally, I have not heard of corruption within our organization or, in this case, at UGLE [United Grand Lodge of England, the male Freemasons]”, Says Quintner. “Before joining, all Freemasons are told that Freemasonry has no business or commercial advantages and that they should not become a member if they simply want to promote their business. We do not subscribe to conspiracy theories, which, we are happy to say, are almost a thing of the past. “ And what is the future for female Masonry? “I really believe that there is a way to Masonry in modern society, because there are so many members and so many initiations are still happening,” says Ndanga-Adjovi. “The main challenge for Freemasonry is to send the right messages. “Old traditions of secrecy, of inadequate communication, may now have to change.”