Novae
Ethelene Goldson No. 13 Ansonia, CT
Etharline McPhail Goldson was born in Darlington, South Carolina in 1918. At the age of 9 and oldest of five children her family moved to Ansonia, CT. She married in 1942 to Robert Goldson and they began their family having five children of their own. She was an active member of the Clinton A.M.E Zion Church of Ansonia, CT where she held various positions.
In the community, she was a Past Matron of Sheba Chapter #1 O.E.S, P.H.A from 1950-1951, a member of the Lily of the Valley Temple, a member of the N.A.A.C.P, a volunteer for the American Red Cross and a member of the Griffin Hospital Auxiliary making her an exemplary model of a women in service and worthy of a juvenile order being named in her honor.
In the name, and by the authority of the Prince Hall Grand Chapter of The Order of The Eastern Star, Connecticut and Jurisdiction,
Whereas a petition has been presented to us by young girls and their advisors on August 11, 1985 ten members were installed into the Ethelene Goldson No. 13 Order of Novae.
On November 3, 2002 Ethelene Goldson #13 Order of Novae was reinstated under Sheba Chapter #1 of Ansonia, CT and 12 girls and 2 adults were initiated by Denise McNair Order of Novae of New Haven, CT.
June 10, 2007 Ethelene Goldson No.13 Order of Novae submitted a letter to the Grand Chapter Officers and Members and the Most Worshipful Grand Master that due to lack of membership, the chapter was not active.
On March 14, 2010, they were formally working as an order and granted the right to meet as an official Novae chapter and 13 members were installed into the Ethelene Goldson No. 13 Order of Novae.
To date, Vanessa D. Roberts is the only chartered member of Ethelene Goldson #13. She was one of the original members joining in 1985. Last known, she resided in Washington, DC working as a Trial Attorney with the United States Department of Justice.
Denise McNair, New Haven, CT
Denise McNair # 2 Order of Novae was named in Honor and Memory of Carol Denise McNair. She was born on November 17, 1951 the eldest child of Chris and Maxine McNair in Birmingham, AL. Tragedy placed her name in history as one of the four young girls killed in the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing in 1963 at the tender age of 11. The other three girls were Addie Mae Collins, Carol Robertson and Cynthia Wesley.
Although her life was cut short, she will also be remembered as one who strived to help others. She helped to raise money for Muscular Dystrophy by putting on plays, dance routines and poetry readings which became an annual event in her neighborhood. She was also a member of The Brownies. Denise McNair was an Elementary school friend of Condoleezza Rice, the former Secretary of State under President George W. Bush. We can only imagine the heights Denise McNair would have risen to if she had only been given the chance.
Because of Denise McNair’s strength of character and the example she set, our own Sis. Bertha Deas, Past Matron of Eureka Chapter # 2 Order of the Eastern Star and others petitioned her parents Chris & Maxine McNair for permission to assign her name to the New Haven Order of Novae. In the spirit of the late Denise McNair, our Order will continue to strive to be God-fearing, respectable young ladies worthy of her name. We will continue to grow in demonstration of respect to our elders, mentoring to those who follow behind us and reach out to the community in service. We will continue the legacy with grace and honor to our, Angel Carole Denise McNair. May her spirit continue to shine through us!