Credit for founding the Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire (IODE – since 1979), now a world-wide organization, belongs to Margaret Polson Murray of Montreal. In the midst of the Boer War in South Africa (1899-1902), Mrs. Murray sought to organize “the women of the [British] Empire” to support the Mother Country. On January 13, 1900, she sent a telegram to the Mayor of each Provincial Capital urging the women in each city to join with the women of Montreal as “Daughters of the Empire” and send the Queen (Victoria) an emergency war fund. First off the mark to respond to this invitation were women in Fredericton, New Brunswick, where the first IODE chapter, a Provincial Chapter, was formed. On January 15, 1900, thirty-seven (37) young ladies responded to the invitation, forming the New Brunswick Auxiliary and electing officers, with Mrs. John (Katherine E. ) Black as their first President. Other chapters were soon established, first in Quebec and then across Canada.
In 1917, under the motto: “One Flag, One Throne, One Empire,” the IODE was granted a Charter of Incorporation by the Dominion of Canada. Its stated goals were to “stimulate and give expression to the sentiment of patriotism which binds the women and children of the Empire around the Throne,” “to foster a bond of union amongst the daughters and children of the Empire,” “to promote the study of the history of the Empire, .. to celebrate patriotic anniversaries; to cherish the memory of … the last resting place of our heroes and heroines, to erect memorial stones” and to care for families of military personnel.
In New Brunswick, the Auxiliary began its IODE work by raising money for Mrs. Murray’s proposed “emergency war fund.” This was followed by their contribution to the “relief of sick and wounded soldiers in South Africa” and their families. They marked graves of Canadian soldiers who died away from home and supported the war efforts in two World Wars in many ways. In the 1920s, in Fredericton and Moncton, the IODE erected a centotaph. Besides patriotism, their philanthrophy often focused on children, family and education. As early as 1900, they organized a Special Empire Day Observance for school children in Fredericton. Later, the schools in NB were "adopted" by Primary Chapters, a relationship which continues to the present. Students have been awarded prizes, bursaries, scholarships and loans over the years, sponsored in various educational activities, all courtesy of the IODE. IODE interest in children extends to babies, who benefit from books given under the "Born to Read" program. At the other end of the spectrum, Clark House, a home for senior citizens in Fredericton, opened in 1960 and continues to be operated by the IODE.
In 2005, a major issue for the IODE is an aging and declining membership, provincially and nationally. In New Brunswick, a number of Primary Chapters have surrendered their Chapters.
Sources: Patriotism Through Service, A History of the Provincial Chapter of New Brunswick I.O.D.E. (1984)
The Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire, Golden Jubilee, 1900-1950 (1950)