THE KU KLUX KLAN AND WOMEN
Here is the proclamation issued by Imperial Wizard Simmons, making
Mrs. Elizabeth Tyler his "grand chief of staff" to have charge of the
women's organization to be affiliated with the Ku Klux Klan:
"To all Genii, Grand Dragons and Hydras of Realms, Grand Goblins and
Kleagles of Domains, Grand Titans and Furies of Provinces, Giants,
Exalted Cyclops and Terrors of Cantons, and to all citizens of the
Invisible Empire, Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, in the name of our
valiant and venerated dead, I affectionately greet you:
"In view of our Nation's need and as an additional force in helping on
the great work of conserving, protecting and making effective the
great principles of our Anglo-Saxon civilization and American ideals
and institutions, the Imperial Kloncilium, in regular session
assembled, after deliberate care and earnest prayer, decided that
there shall be established within the bounds and under the supreme
authority and government of the Invisible Empire an organization that
will admit the splendid women of our great national commonwealth, who
are now citizens with us in directing the affairs of the Nation. Which
decision of the Imperial Kloncilium I have officially ratified after
serious, careful and devoted consideration of all matters and things
involved by this move.
"In view of the foregoing, I hereby officially declare and proclaim
that such organization does now exist in prospect. Plans, methods,
ritualism and regulations of same are now in process of formation and
will be perfected at an early date and officially announced.
"I do farther proclaim that in order to have the proper assistance in
the formation and perfecting of this organization, I have this day
and date selected and officially appointed Mary Elizabeth Tyler of
Atlanta, Fulton county, Ga., to be my grand chief of staff, to have
immediate charge of work pertaining to said woman's organization under
my authority and direction.
"Further information will be duly and officially communicated from
time to time.
"Done in the Aulic of His Majesty, Imperial Wizard, Emperor of the
Invisible Empire, Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, in the Imperial City of
Atlanta, Commonwealth of Georgia, United States of America, on this,
the ninth day of the ninth month of the year of our Lord, 1921.
"Duly signed and sealed by His Majesty,
William Joseph Simmons,
"Imperial Wizard."