Fraternal, mystic society, open to men and women, of any faith except "no faith". Formally organized 1850 by Dr. Rob Morris, Poet Laureate of Masonry; it is conjectured that the Order's roots go back as far as 1703, in France. The structure and purpose of the Order closely parallel those of Masonry - Morris organized the Order specifically to include women in the mystic fellowship "that prompts man to noble deeds". International headquarters in Washington, D.C.

source: easternstar.org