What is Rainbow?
The International Order of the Rainbow for Girls (called IORG, or Rainbow) is a non-profit, fraternal youth service organization for girls between the ages of 11-20. Rainbow provides an environment where teenage girls gain self-confidence and self-respect while practicing reverence, patriotism, love and service. Rainbow teaches leadership skills, service to the community, patriotism to our country and respect for all. It is not a religion, cult or secret order. Nor is it connected with any other group using "rainbow" in their name or logo. Rainbow is a character-building service organization that is open to all girls regardless of their religious belief.

The IORG has an active membership of 275,000 girls worldwide with over one million majority members (At age 20, or upon marriage, whichever occurs first, a girl who is a member in good standing is eligible to receive her majority membership). Over one million teenage girls have been initiated into the Order since its founding on April 6, 1922. It is represented in 45 states and in nine foreign countries. Girls from Queensland and New South Wales, Australia, Brazil, Bolivia, Aruba, Japan, the Philippine Islands, Canada and Germany enjoy the same privileges of the Order as the girls in the United States, where it originated. The organization started in the city of McAlester, Oklahoma where it spread rapidly throughout Oklahoma and the surrounding states, then throughout the nation and into foreign countries.

Why is it called Rainbow?
On some of the oldest Masonic charts, the rainbow is one of the symbols used in connection with fraternal life. Its symbolism and colors have been used as a basis for a ritual. Rev. Sexson decided to associate the name of the organization with the rainbow because rainbows represent the first visible sign that God gave to His creatures. The International Order of the Rainbow for Girls selects the girlhood of a country as a medium through which God fulfills His promise.

What do the stations mean?
The seven colors of the Rainbow are represented by seven officer stations, strategically placed in the shape of a bow (the arc of a rainbow). Each station is represented by a color, and each color teaches us lesson. The stations and lessons of the Rainbow are as follows:
Red is the first color station and represents Love. It emphasizes the importance of love of home and family.
Orange is the second color station and represents Religion. It emphasizes the importance of membership and active participation in the church of your choice.
Yellow is the third color station and represents Nature. It emphasizes the importance of spending time in the out-of-doors.
Green is the fourth color station and represents Immortality. It emphasizes that even though our body dies, our souls live on forever.
Blue is the fifth color station and represents Fidelity. It emphasizes the importance of loyalty to the Order and to the Rainbow girl's family and friends.
Indigo is the sixth color station and represents Patriotism. It emphasizes the importance of respecting the laws of our country and its flag.
Violet is the seventh and final color station and represents Service. Service is the foundation of Rainbow and emphasizes the importance of providing unselfish acts of service to our home, community and its sponsoring Orders.

How do I join Rainbow?
Rainbow membership applications, called petitions, are readily available. Any active Rainbow girl, Mason, Eastern Star, Amaranth, or majority member can obtain a petition for an interested girl. Advisory Board Members can assist in completing the form. A prospective candidate must be sponsored by another girl who is a active member in good standing, and at least one adult who must be a member in good standing of either the Masonic Lodge, Order of the Eastern Star, White Shrine, or Order of the Amaranth (again, an Advisory Board member can help in this measure).