Modern Woodmen of America

Modern Woodmen of America (MWA) is an American fraternal benefit society, which sells various investments and insurance products, with membership over 750,000 as of 2017.

Though it shares the same founder, it is not affiliated financially in any way with another, similarly styled fraternal benefit society, WoodmenLife, and despite the name "Modern" is actually older than its counterpart.

[2] He had operated a number of businesses, including a mercantile establishment, a grain elevator and two flour mills, sold insurance and real estate, taught bookkeeping classes, managed a lecture bureau, and practiced law.

[3] During a Sunday sermon, Root heard the pastor tell a parable about pioneer woodmen clearing away forests to build homes, communities and security for their families.

However, until the mid-1900s, membership was restricted to white males between the ages of 18 and 45 from the 12 "healthiest" states – Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, the Dakotas, Nebraska and Kansas.

Residents of large cities were also disqualified from membership, as were those employed in certain professions, such as railway workers, underground miners, gunpowder factory employees, liquor wholesalers and manufacturers, saloon keepers, "aeronauts", sailors on the lakes and seas, and professional baseball players.

[7] The last known Rainbow Parade was held on Michigan Boulevard in Chicago, and it halted traffic for more than two hours while thousands of spectators viewed the scene.

The membership organization sells life insurance, annuity and investment products to help fund member benefits and social, educational and volunteer programs that meet community needs.

Members unite for volunteer efforts that provide money, donations, hand-on labor and other resources to improve lives in their communities.

The rating is based on a comprehensive quantitative evaluation of the organization's balance sheet strength, operating performance and business profile.