LOTO was established on March 4, 1916, by Emma M. Voorheis of Syracuse, New York.
Emma was a member of Twilight Rebekah Lodge #285 and a past deputy and officer of the Rebekah Assembly of New York. She wrote our ritual as a “fraternal playground for Rebekahs.” While LOTO was never formally affiliated with the Rebekahs, it provided a space for relaxation and enjoyment for many of its members.
LOTO is satirical in nature and “built upon the old adage that ‘All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.’ We teach “Laugh and the world laughs with you, for all enjoy mirth and clean fun.”
Our texts were written four years before women gained the right to vote in the United States and are priceless examples of how women are, and have always been, innately hilarious, deeply creative, and full of undeniable rascality.
LOTO historically provided a space for women independently of any male order. Our records from 1924 to 2017 offer numerous examples of our activities and charitable endeavors.
There were 28 Zuannas by 1924, with 3774 Queens listed as active members. During its peak, LOTO received numerous requests to initiate new members and charter new Zuannas. In 1963, our order boasted 100 Zuannas across the United States and Canada.
We reincorporated in 2024 in the United States as “Supreme Royal Zuanna, Ladies of the Oracle.” We remain independent and are not an auxiliary to another order.
Today, we celebrate our history as “the world’s only first-wave feminist fez order,” by preserving our unique legacy as an independent fraternal order founded for women and by women.
