The Desert of Florida, Daughters, like its parent organization, the Imperial Court, is an auxiliary of female family members of Prince Hall Shriners, and was formally organized at the annual session of the Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, held in Detroit, Michigan, on August 24, 1910.

History reports that the establishment of the Imperial Court was a result of a meeting held in 1909, when women representing the auxiliary of female members of Prince Hall Shriners from Maryland, Rhode Island and Washington, DC, met with a committee of Prince Hall Shriners and requested the formation and recognition of an organization for their women relatives.

The purpose of the Imperial Court, is to unite the relatives of all members of the A.E.A.O.N.M.S. into one common bond of friendship, to practice charity and benevolence, and to inculcate honor and integrity as symbolized in the legend of the Egyptian queen.


Desert of Florida History
 

The Imperial Court, through the Desert of Florida has a rich history of service and support to the community in each Oasis (State) through our twelve Courts.  The Courts are located throughout the state. Rabia Court #25 (Jacksonville); Osiris Court #70 (Melbourne); Masud Court #71 (West Palm Beach); Harram Court #96 (Tampa); Malta Court #99 (Orlando); Kazah Court #117(Miami); Ahmed Court #134 (Tallahassee); Safia Court #165 (Panama City); Saba Court #172 (Pompano Beach); Haggai Court #175 (Pensacola); Ancient City Court #216; and Idris Court #220, Crestview; provide financial donations to the College Fund/UNCF, scholarships, National Diabetes Initiative, Health and Medical Research, American Cancer Society, Mental Retardation, NAACP, National Foundation (Birth Defects), HIV/AIDS Awareness, Domestic Violence and other civic and special interests.

Additionally, the Desert of Florida disseminates book bags, school supplies, and information to improve the health and wellbeing of citizens, as well as, provides advocacy for voter rights and affordable health care.

Rabia Court 25, Oasis of Jacksonville: (Rabia Court was formally known as the Union Court of Florida #5.  Courts are named like their male counterparts.  Consequently, after a disagreement with a concordant body, Union Court #5 was given an Arabic name and changed to Rabia Court #25 in 1944).

Leading us in our charge for service to the community as administrators of the Desert are some outstanding civic servants

Listed below are the names of the Imperial Deputies for the Desert:

1st (1914) W. G. Watts, PC;

2nd (1946-1948) Dt. Sandra Lark, PC Rabia Court #25, Oasis of Jacksonville;

3rd (1948-1949) *Dt. Dora Force, PC, Rabia Court #25, Oasis of Jacksonville;

4th (1953) *Dt. Rosa B. Hinton, PC, Harram Court #96, Oasis of Tampa;

5th (1958-1962) *Dt. Bessie Hester, PC, Rabia Court #25, Oasis of Jacksonville;

6th (1962-1966) *Dt. Janie Franklin Cannon, PC Rabia Court, Oasis of Jacksonville;

Past Imperial Isiserettes Directress (1967-1982);

7th (1966-1967) *Dt. Mary Baker, Ahmed 134, Oasis of Tallahassee;

8th (1967-1971) Dt. Betty Corbett, PC, Masud Court #71, Oasis of West Palm Beach;

9th (1971- 1974) Dt. Rosebud Byrd, PC, Kazah Court #117, Oasis of Miami;

10th (1974-1976) Dt. Suwanee H. Lewis, PC, Ahmed 134, Oasis of Tallahassee;

11th (1976- 1978) *Dt. Rosebud Byrd, PC, Kazah Court #117, Oasis of Miami;

12th (1978-1981) *Dt. Mary F. Washington, HPIC, Rabia Court #25, Oasis of Jacksonville;

13th (1981-1985) *Dt. Mae Bannister, PC, Harram Court #96, Oasis of Tampa;

14th (1985-1987) *Dt. Dorothy Oliver Gilbert, PC, Masud Court #71, Oasis of West Palm Beach;

15th (1987-1989) Dt. Juanita L. Evans, HPIC, Kazah Court #117, Oasis of Miami;

16th (1989-2001) *Dt. Carol Gullatt, HPIC, Rabia Court #25 Oasis of Jacksonville;

17th (2001–2011) Dt. Rosa M. McGill, HPIC, Kazah Court #117, Oasis of Miami;

18th (2011-2015) Dt. Patricia A. Harrell, HPIC, Rabia Court #25, Oasis of Jacksonville;

19th (2015-2017) Dt Mary Caldwell Williams, HPIC, Malta Court #99, Oasis of Orlando;

20th (2017-2019) Dt. Rasheedah Stevenson, HPIC, Harram Court #96, Oasis of Tampa;

21st (2019-to present ) Dt. Collette Hart Wallace, HPIC, Kazah Court #117, Oasis of Miami.

 

(*Transitioned into the heavenly realm)

Actual Past Imperial Commandress

  • 1929-1932     *Dt. Lillie M. Powell, Rabia Court #25, Oasis of Jacksonville
  • 2005-2007     Dt. Charlie Powell Albury, Kazah Court #117, Oasis of Miami