Meet our Members
Meet some of our members - they are from all walks of life, of different ages, from different backgrounds but have all come together and bonded by a common interest - Freemasonry. Read what they have gained most from being a Freemason and why they encourage other women to join The Order of Women Freemasons.
Nishma
Profession: Solicitor
Interests: Won an award for jam making at the Great Taste Awards. Avid fan of Crystal Palace football club and American sports.
Gained most from Freemasonry: Friendship.
Why join the OWF? Because it is the start of an amazing journey filled with knowledge, pageantry, friendship, self discovery and charity. Joining OWF makes you the best version of yourself while also helping those in need".
Pamela
Profession: Retired Director of Contract services
Interests: Member of U3A, love walking and swimming. Day trips! I also love visiting other lodges.
Gained most from Freemasonry: Self-worth
Why join the OWF? "The joy of belonging and being part of a society where everyone is treated equally no matter your race, religion or political affiliations.".
Suzanne
Profession: Clinical Lead Specialist in Neuropsychiatry
Interests: I enjoy fitness training, am a keen rambler, adventurer, and feel most zen when surrounded by nature. I love music, photography, writing, reading and complementary therapies.
Gained most from Freemasonry: sense of spiritual awareness & friendship.
Why join the OWF? "Should you desire to create the best version of yourself and develop greater connections in all areas of life, becoming a member of OWF could be the path for you".
Nicki (Spain)
Profession: Retired Account manager
Interests: Volunteering for the Red Cross, Zumba Dance, Outdoor Green Bowls
Gained most from Freemasonry: Enrichment
Why join the OWF? "To become part of a like-minded band of brothers who are not only committed to serving their communities whilst enjoying good conversation and team camaraderie but, also for their lives to become more enriched through the practising and preserving of the traditions of the order.".
Sarah
Profession: Retired (Auditor - Aerospace Supply Chains)
Interests: Ice Skating, First female Chairperson of Aluminium Stockholder Association, Magistrate for 30 years
Gained most from Freemasonry? Self Confidence.
Why join the OWF? "An opportunity to mix with like minded ladies who support you to achieve your full potential whatever that may be for you personally".
Judith
Profession: Hotel Management
Interests: Bodybuilding and Printing
Gained most from Freemasonry? Confidence
Why join the OWF? "I would encourage others to join as Freemasonry crosses all boundaries and unites women".
Lyn (from Wales)
Profession: Retired
Interests: Breeder & exhibitor of Persian cats.
Achievements: Previously Deputy Lord Mayor of Cardiff
Gained most from Freemasonry? Confidence
Why join the OWF? "To experience the sense of friendship and inclusion with other women".
Lesley
Profession: Retired accountant
Interests: Lacemaking, dressmaking, patchwork and quilting, reading
Achievements: My quilts featured in international exhibitions.
Gained most from Freemasonry? A community
Why join the OWF? "It is a community of women with very diverse backgrounds but with a common desire to do good for others".
Allison
Profession: Retired
Interests/Hobbies: Trustee of local children's charity, spending time in Spain, walking, organising social events
What I have gained from OWF: Confidence
Why join the OWF: "Meet & make new friends, support others and develop yourself".
Joan (South Africa)
Profession: On-line Sales
Interest/hobbies: Crafting, Gardening, Travel
What I have gained from being a Freemason: Friendship
Why join the OWF? "Gain confidence, expand your horizons, make friend with likeminded women"
Jill
Profession: Tour Manager
Interests: Cycling & travel
Gained most from Freemasonry: Self Confidence.
Why join the OWF? "Being a member of the Order of Women Freemasons has given me friends for life, self confidence and most importantly feeling part of a community of like minded, supportive women who accept me for who I am and not what I should be".
Kerry
Profession: Property after spending 25 years in education with some of the countries most challenging students.
Interests/hobbies: Skiing, Formula 1, horses, live music and literature.
Gained most from Freemasonry: Self awareness.
Why join the OWF? "Freemasonry enables you to develop your own skills as well as learn new ones. There is something within freemasonry for everyone".
Tanya
Profession: Retired Diagnostic Radiographer
Interests/hobbies: Music (piano, flute & recorder), musical theatre, reading, swimming.
Gained most from Freemasonry: Confidence.
Why join the OWF: "You gain what you put it. The rituals and spoken pieces prompt self-examination and self-improvement. There is the huge opportunity for community giving and support within a large family of Brotherhood with its mutual support, friendship, shared values and the bond of so many like-minded women. New friendships and social networks".
Shirley
Profession: Retired
Interests/hobbies: Gardening, DIY, Baking, drawing,
Gained most from Freemasonry? Friendship
Why join the OWF? "Freemasonry helps develop me to be the best person I can be".
Andrea
Profession: Semi retired / fly fishing instructor
Interests/hobbies: Fly fishing (this year Andrea will be fishing in the England Ladies Commonwealth Team - her 4th England cap), beekeeping with 7 hives and sewing.
Gained most from Freemasonry: Friendship
Why join the OWF? "My journey so far with the OWF has been great. Through covid if was a great comfort and we raised a toast every night through the whole of Covid and those toasts were turned into books.The friendships and social side of the OWF is great fun and I’ve learnt a lot about myself with the help of my new friends".
Allison
Profession: Retired
Interests: Trustee of local children's charity, spending time in Spain, walking, organising social events
Gained most from Freemasonry: Confidence
Why join the OWF? "Meet & make new friends, support others and develop yourself".
Julie
Profession: Small Business Owner
Interests/hobbies: Love hiking with friends. Climbed my first mountain (Yr Wyddfa) in my 60th year.
Gained most from Freemasonry: Friendship
Why join the OWF? "You will meet some lovely ladies, have fun and mutual support".
Liz
Profession: Retired First Aid business Owner
Hobbies: Reading (when not learning ritual), knitting, traveling.
Achievements: Cert Ed, Delivering training for humanitarian aid NGO in developing countries
Gained most from Freemasonry: Friendship
Why join the OWF? "To meet other women in a safe and friendly environment, and having fun."
Hilary
Profession: Retired Police Officers / Restauranteur
Interests: Volunteering as a Church of England Anna Chaplain; A member of the Independent Monitoring Board of HM Prisons Isle of Wight
Gained most from Freemasonry: Self-esteem.
Why join the OWF? "To rediscover yourself and develop your true potential".
Yinka
Profession: IT Project Manager
Interests: Travelling and chess
Gained most from Freemasonry: Enlightenment and Self Fulfillment
Why join the OWF? "To become a better version of yourself".
Jan
Profession: Ex Teacher, Community Arts officers & Tool Dealer!
Interests: Cats, fast cards, loud music, crochet & Tai Chi
Achievements: Raced a GTR around Silverstone F1 circuit, climbed Pikes Peak in Coloardo & run a Tai Chi group.
Gained most from Freemasonry: Friendship.
Why join the OWF? "To join a wonderful ever growing community of amazing, caring women and be part of the future of ladies’ Freemasonry".
Maria
Profession: Retired
Interests: papercraft, crochet, quizzes and my dog
Gained most from Freemasonry: Self Awareness
Why join the OWF? "Gained over 400 new friends".
Gail
Profession: Retired Company Accountant & RAF Nurse
Interests: Walking with my Goldador dog who is just 12 months old, and a “work in progress” with her training. My aim is to get her calm enough to be a “Therapy Dog”.
Achievements: "Being an RAF wife, moving 17 times with children all over the world".
Gained most from Freemasonry: Confidence.
Why join the OWF? "You make wonderful friends with a mixture of personalities, different ages & backgrounds all with a common goal of supporting each other, building confidence and guiding them on their journey through life".
Cathy
Profession: Business Management
Interests: Volunteering, complementary therapies, medieval history, reading, country walks
Achievement: Surviving open heart surgery and cancer and still smiling.
Gained most from Freemasonry: Self-worth
Why join the OWF? "Freemasonry brings a whole host of new experiences and personal gains, including confidence, new friends and the opportunity to visit other lodges for regular meetings or social events. You will be supported every step of the way on your journey through Freemasonry and come to have a greater understanding of who you are.".
Judith
Profession: Registered Nurse, Health Service Manager, Lecturer.
Achievements: I was a Marathon Runner in my 40s.
I took Students to work in the Orphanages in Romania, after the revolution in 1989. I drove the truck across Europe 22 times. I then was a volunteer in a soup kitchen and the more recently a volunteer in a “Cat Rescue”
Why join the OWF? "I feel that Freemasonry gives me a connection with a supreme being but as a single person it gives me a sense of community and belonging.".
Beverley
Profession: Semi-retired complementary therapist using behavioural kinesiology, Reiki, reflexology and aromatherapy. Mediumship and healing.
Interests: Making stained glass panels, suncatchers etc. Cooking & walking.
Gained most from Freemasonry? Friendship
Why join the OWF? "If you are looking for a sense of purpose within a supportive group of people who will help you to grow and reach your potential without any pressure or ulterior motives, Freemasonry is the perfect community.
I grew up in Freemasonry having joined at 22 years old and have learned the value of having Masonic friends of all ages at each stage of my life. Being part of a Lodge has given me confidence and a true sense of belonging and that is an invaluable opportunity for any prospective member. You will be made very welcome, whichever Lodge you join.".