The Household of Ruth is an auxiliary body of the Grand United Order of Odd Fellows in America open to both Odd Fellows and related women.
[1][2] The Grand United Order of Odd Fellows in America is the historically African American organization that was formed in 1843 by Peter Ogden.
[4] Juvenile Branches are formed under local Household of Ruth bodies.
[3] Open to both men and women, the first woman to lead the organization was Mary Alice Parker, who succeeded J. W. Grant, Most Worthy Grand Superior from 1887 to 1908.
[5] During the late nineteenth century, Households was founded in many states including Virginia and Kentucky.