By: Judi Hopper

Golden Realm was a brand new assembly in 1963 and we were so excited to be on our way to Grand Assembly. But that was then and this is now… Then – because of the number of members in California, every assembly was only allowed to send eleven girls to Grand Assembly. Now – we can bring our whole assembly to enjoy the week. Then – most assemblies joined with other assemblies in their District and came to Grand Assembly by bus. Each assembly had an assembly song that they sang all the way there and drove their chaperones wild. Now – assemblies come by car, van, bus and plane and still love to see the chaperones beg for mercy. Then – Grand Assembly always started with a Devotional service and every girl wore a suit, hat and gloves. Now – we start with an amazing Informal Opening planned by the Grand Drill Leaders. Then – we did not have an Informal Opening, but on Tuesday afternoon the Grandies were allowed to have a Theme March. Our Grand Worthy Advisor, Vickie Dennis, chose a bedtime theme and we all wore our hair curlers onto the Grand Assembly floor. Now – I don’t think that would go over very well! Then – the Grand Choir was made up of girls from the assemblies that were not yet fully constituted and were meeting under Letters Temporary. Now – each assembly has the opportunity to send one or two lucky girls to Grand Choir. Then – Revelations was one of the most exciting events at Grand Assembly. Now – “Ditto!” Then – a newly appointed Grandie got her mascot naked and dressed it herself. Now – the Grand Officers work for weeks planning a great outfit for a mascot they haven’t even met yet. Then – each new Grand Officer was whisked away on the night of Revelations to a party with just the new and ‘old’ Grandies. Now – everyone is invited to the Revelation Party. (Have you seen Mr. Hopper cookie scouting?) Then – the 1964 “Pink Ladies” were excited to be the first to wear traveling shifts. They were pink and white striped and were so short they would not meet today’s Dress Code. Now – one of the new Grand Worthy Advisor’s first decisions is to select the new travel outfit on Monday afternoon of Grand Assembly. Then – we voted on our Grand Service Project and were dedicated to our task of building up the Rainbow Scholarship fund. Now – it is a thrill every year to hear how many girls receive Rainbow scholarships and think we had a small part in that. Then – our Grand Officer dresses were mailed to us weeks before Grand Assembly and we were in charge of keeping it a secret and getting them altered if needed. Ours were a gorgeous bright pink with a pale pink overlay of embroidered eyelet. Now –the dresses are a secret to the Grand Officers until the weekend of the Grand Worthy Advisor’s reception. Then – Rainbow was a happy place in our lives where we worked together with dedicated adults, learned important lessons, had great fun and made life-long friends. Now, over fifty years later –well, some things never change!

By: Rhea Burns

Where did you come from, where did you go, where did you come from Cotton Eyed Joe? Has it really been 15 long years ago? “A Boot Scootin Time in 2009,” The day was April 4^th, the location was Fresno, CA, the arena was rumbling with the sound excitement…and a few other surprises that California Rainbow was waiting for. There were forty of us grand officers that had come from across the great state of California, we represented thirty-one different assemblies. This was the time that we were supposed to float out from behind the curtains and amaze the Grand Assembly with our beauty, grace, and totally fabulous dresses. For those sitting (more like jumping hysterically) we were nowhere to be found, we had the biggest surprise. “We’re soarin’, flying’” and there we were, the Epic Eagles, we were soaring down the sides of the arena, we had changed the informal entrance forever, putting our own unique mark on Grand Assembly. There we were shimmering and gleaming in the light, our gold dresses just shined, and the deep orange waist and bow on the back of our dresses was beautiful. It picked up just the right amount of sparkle from the jewel encrusted lace bodice. As the grand officers twirled, two stepped, and kicked up them heals California realized that they had been completely transformed into an old Western town, every grand officer was playing the part wearing cowboy boots and stomping down the biggest line dance I had ever seen. Then the rumble came of another sort, Mrs. Martin was driving a John Deere tractor into the arena, and there I was praying that she wasn’t going to dump me off the back of it. Everyone was out of their seat cheering and completely entranced in that moment.

That day 15 years ago was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I was surrounded by the most talented and beautiful girls (inside and out) in the world. We had become sisters that year, and truly bonded under the wings of our state Mom Mrs. Rita Smith, and our State Dad Mr. Dave Smith. We kept Mrs. Martin on her toes and interjected everything we could to make our week personal and special. We had the honor to dedicate the 79^th annual California Grand Assembly to Glenn & Sara Lee Martin, and they truly deserved it. They were always there laughing at our jokes and shenanigans, providing comfort when we were stressed or upset, and making us into the family that we are today. 

One honor of that week was to be able to present a check of $80,750.88 to Family Soup, our Grand Service Project. An organization that is dear to my heart and really makes a difference in the lives of families with children with disabilities. What are some things that Family Soup is up to now? Some of their current projects and new programs include: iCan Bike, Early Start Family Resource Center, Family Empowerment Center, Special Needs Project, and Disaster Preparedness Workshops. They are continuing to operate their Able Riders Therapeutic Horseback Riding Program and have seen a huge increase in involvement with it. Their iCan Bike Program uses adapted bicycles, a specialized instructional program, and trained staff to teach individuals with disabilities to learn to ride a two-wheel bike independently, a simple thing that many people don’t think about that gives individuals with disabilities independence and confidence. This February Family Soup is partnering up with the County of Sutter to provide classes to help families prepare for disasters by preparing an emergency evacuation plan. These classes are very important because they focus on the unexpected and can mean the difference between life and death. Family Soup is continuing to offer facilitated support groups for parents and caregivers targeting different special needs, activities to bring parents and siblings together, and training and partnerships in collaboration with community agencies. 

So where did we go Cotton Eyed Joe? The Epic Eagles have transformed, we have spread our wings, soared to new heights, and ventured around the world. Very literally! We have changed hair color, gained new wrinkles, visited new places, and accomplished some of the very best things that you can do in life. We have lived and enjoyed every day! We are now moms, spouses, and aunts. We are now college graduates with associate’s degrees, bachelor’s degrees, masters, and doctorates. We are now business owners, teachers, government workers, professors, therapist, counselors, engineers, caregivers, and volunteers. Many of us work every day to make the world a better place, to engage in humanity, and connect with people. We have taken the lessons of Rainbow and the wisdom of our majorities and placed them into our everyday lives. We love others and ourselves, we embrace religion and let it guide us, and we spend time with nature to connect to it. We sadly have felt the loss of life and have come together to remember it. We have expressed our patriotism and used our voices to stand up for what we believe. We have made promises and have kept them, we have served unselfishly in so many ways, never forgetting the lesson of service. We continue to have faith and hope, and believe in charity. I could not be any prouder of these Eagles! We are celebrating our 15-year anniversary this year, that is 3,652 days since our opening “Where did you come from, where did you go,” and I believe we came from a beautiful legacy of Past Grand Officers, and continue to represent that legacy as we continue to go along in this journey of life.

By: Hannah Hanlon

Hello California Rainbow! The Motivating Macaws of 2019 have been flying around the state of California, the country, even the world over the past five years and we are so excited to be back at Grand Assembly for our reunion! 

So much has happened since our winter solstice so it’s time for a little update! 

I recently graduated from California State University, Long Beach with a degree in Biology. I also received associate degrees in Biology, Chemistry, and General Science from my community college. I now live in Hermosa Beach with my boyfriend and am working as an Associate Scientist I at a bioscience company. 

Kaitlyn Doktorczyk, Grand Worthy Associate Advisor & Historian, is finishing her last semester of her Master’s program for speech language pathology and is busy planning for her upcoming wedding in November 2024! She’s looking forward to all of the changes this next chapter of life will bring her!

Amanda Ruble, Grand Charity and Rep to Washington/Idaho, graduated from the University of Oregon in 2022 with a degree in business administration with concentrations in marketing and entrepreneurship and a minor in leadership. She is currently a legal assistant at a law firm.

Jasmine Scott, our Grand Hope and Rep to Oregon & Brazil, moved back to Oregon, and she works at a high school while in school to become a special education teacher!

Elizabeth Schade, Grand Faith and Rep to Australia & the Orient Pacific, got married, became an EMT, and moved to Maryland where she and her husband bought their first home. She now volunteers with her local fire department while she’s going back to school to finish her bachelor’s degree in Fire and Emergency Services at the University of Florida online.

Rachel Ross, Grand Chaplin and Rep to Bolivia, is attending Biola university as well as working as a supervisor at her place of work.

Bailee Weiglein, Grand Recorder and Rep to Maryland & West Virginia, just finished her Bachelor’s in elementary education. She is waiting on student teaching and hopes to teach fourth grade in the near future. She is currently working as a barista at the same local coffee shop she’s been working at since our Grand Year. 

Alyssa Larson, Grand Drill Leader and Rep to Arizona & New Mexico, got engaged, is finishing up her degree in Business Administration and gave birth to her lovely son at the end of March 2023.

Taylor Fessenden, our Grand Love and Rep to Indiana & Kentucky, moved in with her boyfriend, and she’s starting a job as a visitors assistant in a local mortuary. She’s also in her certification program to become a licensed mortician and embalmer!

Kiara Steinhorst, Grand Religion and Rep to Alabama, Georgia, & North Carolina, is in her last semester of her Master’s program for a degree in Materials Science & Engineering at UNR! She’s looking forward to her next chapter of life as a “real adult” once she graduates.

Sadie Kelly, Grand Nature and Rep to Montana, North Dakota & South Dakota, has been busy busy! She’s attended 35 births as a doula and has embarked on midwifery school. She says, “Definitely not the career path I had planned but I am so grateful it presented itself!”

Ariana Schwalbenberg, Grand Fidelity and Rep to Alaska & Hawaii, just moved into her first apartment with a friend and their two cats, Luke and Sam! She is working at Old Adobe Elementary School where she runs their after school enrichment program! They’ve got a terrific group of 73 students ranging from transitional kindergarten to sixth grade. She’s also looking forward to working with the city of Cotati and Sandy Loam, a nature and art based enrichment program where she will serve as director of their transitional kindergarten/kindergarten summer camp.  

Alexis Trickett, Grand Patriotism and Rep to Iowa, Minnesota, & Missouri, officially moved to Missouri in the spring of 2021 and she’s been working up the ladder in the restaurant industry. She is now a supervisor where she often takes care of connections she made during Missouri Grand Assembly. She’s also working on her bachelor’s and she’ll be starting an EMT course in the fall. 

Mariah Cheron, Grand Service and Rep to South Carolina & Virginia says, “Hello California Rainbow how are you? Here’s a message from your Grand Service 2019! Hola! I have been living in Spain for the last three years as an English teacher. This experience has helped me to meet people from all around the world. I enjoy every day here in Madrid, and I get to spread my culture with those around me. From paella (pie-ay-ah) to the Mediterranean Sea, I’m so lucky to be here! Keep service in your heart and make sure you follow your rainbow wherever it may take you.”

Rhiannon Corgan, our Grand Confidential Observer and Rep to Kansas & Nebraska is continuing her studies toward a Bachelor’s Degree in Child and Family Sciences with hopes to eventually become a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist!

Katie Pewitt, Grand Outer Observer and Rep to Oklahoma & Texas is currently going to school for a degree in psychology while minoring in educational counseling. She’s looking forward to what the rest of this chapter has in store for her.

Kellianne Bryant, Grand Choir Director and Rep to Ohio & Pennsylvania lives in San Francisco and works in event design and production. They are getting a fine arts degree in Game Design and is the founder of their school’s Radical Artists Collective, where they use art as a means for community and social change. 

Gillian Okin, Grand Musician and Rep to New Jersey & New York, 

Emily Alcayaga, Grand Immortality and Rep to Michigan and Grand Editor is working at the same bank she was when we were Grand Officers and is now the Assistant Branch Manager. She got married in 2021 and she and her husband bought their first home in 2023. They have two fur babies (dogs) and are excited about the future they’re building!

Angellina McGill, Assistant Grand Editor, is finishing her last semester for a degree in business marketing at Sacramento State! She’s excited to be graduating soon and seeing what life brings next!

TaylorAnn Quick, Grand Circulation Manager, Member of the Grand Executive Committee, California Flag Bearer and Rep to Michigan, graduated in 2023 and her family’s business has expanded to a new location and she has her own office now. Soon she will be seeing her own clients but in the meantime, she’s the office supervisor. She can’t wait to see what this next year brings.

Natalie Espinoza, Grand Color Bearer and Rep to Colorado & Nevada, graduated from the University of San Diego and moved to Saint Louis, MO! She got her first teaching job and now teaches 5th grade!

Carissa Denehy, Grand Rainbow Flag Bearer and Rep to Canada, New Hampshire & Vermont, has relocated to Stockton and is a Customer Relations Manager. She and her partner adopted a beautiful dog and they travel together around CA to find the best camping spots.

Ashley Nicholson, Grand Christian Flag Bearer and Rep to Aruba, Florida, & Tennessee, moved to Oregon, got married, finished school, and adopted the cutest dog. Now she’s working full-time as a Phlebotomist!

Kaitlyn Calverly, Grand Lecturer and Rep to Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi, says, “Hi California Rainbow!” Since her amazing year as a motivating macaw, she’s graduated from California State University, Chico with a B.S. in Nutrition and Food Sciences and a minor in Psychology. She’s enjoyed traveling to various fun locations with Greece and Italy being some of her favourites! This past July, she moved back to Ontario, Canada with her family and has been working at a winery serving at weddings and events. She’s planning on going back to school soon to complete an accelerated nursing program and looks forward to seeing what the future has in store! 

Joy Manion, Dean of the Grand Cross of Color and Rep to Connecticut, New Hampshire & Vermont, graduated with a BA from Chapman University and currently lives in Los Angeles where she works in PR for Fox Corporation!

Our Grand Service Project, Megan’s Wings has been busy changing lives and assisting families affected by childhood cancer. In 2023, Megan’s Wings helped 227 families with basic living expense bills for housing, utilities, funerals, transportation, and lodging near hospitals through our Patient Aid Program. 163 families received four months of Gas and/or Grocery Assistance to help get children to appointments and make sure they had enough to eat. An additional 40 families received holiday care package support through our 2023 Adopt a Family Program, and 225 Hope Bags went to hospitals for distribution to children in the hospital this past year. With kind support from our donors, 655 pediatric families were helped by Megan’s Wings in 2023. 

They say, “We appreciate that you chose Megan’s Wings in 2019 to benefit from Rainbow Girl’s fundraising that year. Partnering with other caring organizations helps us be there for the most vulnerable childhood cancer patients and their families when they need it the most. Thanks again!”

Five years have flown by and we are so excited to see where this crazy life takes us all in the next five!

By: Mary Ann Taylor E’Golf

In 1954, Elvis Presley cut his first record. A gallon of gas cost 22 cents. Monthly rent was about $85, and a movie ticket would run you 70 cents. 

In 1954, led by Grand Worthy Advisor, Sally Kreutzburg, 64 Grand Officers took over Santa Cruz, California, for the 24^th annual Grand Assembly Sessions, on April 11-15. Our dresses were American Beauty Red, accented by white rose wristlets.  Our sessions were dedicated to our Order’s Founder, W. Mark Sexson.

It’s hard to believe that 70 years have passed. We enjoyed 45 Official visits, with 45 Assemblies, in 41 Districts. Our Supreme Deputy was Mrs. Flo McDonald, who went on to become Supreme Worthy Associate Advisor, and whose husband John McDonald, wrote much of the Rainbow music we still hear today. 

During our year, Palo Alto Assembly stuffed fluffy animals for the Stanford Convalescent Home, Fullerton Assembly received their Charter, Stockton Assembly celebrated their 25^th Anniversary, Gilroy Assembly repaired old toys for the local Children’s Hospital, Paradise Assembly held their annual Rainbow Fashion Show and Card Party, and Bellflower Assembly donated books, records, and bathing caps to the children at Shrine Hospital.

Rainbow Girls, then and now, have always had a heart for serving others. I have a lifetime of memories, and have been blessed to be a part of this wonderful Organization.

In Love & Service,

Mary Ann Taylor E’Golf

GWAA, 1954