On Sunday, February 14, 1981, the initial ceremonies of exemplification were held in Los Angeles, California, forming the Inez Y. Bowman, Chapter 13, of the Fourth Degree Ladies of Grace Division. The Meritorious Fourth Degree was conferred by the Sir Knights of Grand Assembly, Gilbert Faustina, Assembly 13, Los Angeles, California, under the guidance of Faithful Navigator John Waller.
Eleven Ladies were exemplified forming the Charter Chapter (Note: + - denotes Gracious Lady is deceased) : Gracious Ladies Alma S. Bramlette+, Olivia Cormier+, Jean D. Harris, Ellen Marie Jackson+, Cora Malveax+, Mary Lee Mayes+, Marie Stewart+, Lillian Tibbs+, Ceonia Tolar+, Muriel L. Wallace+ and Theresa A. Wright+. The Reverend Peter Gabriel Foster was the First Faithful Friar for Chapter 13.
These Gracious Ladies adopted the Good Shepherd Shelter for Battered Women and Children in 1981, to date the Chapter has received a "Star" on the Shelter's Walk of Fame for their continuous charitable contributions, offer annual scholarships to deserving students, seek grants to educate the Religious, and financially support Partners in Education to assist local Catholic Schools.
In 1986 the Gracious Ladies of Chapter 13 voted to change the name of the Chapter to honor one of its own distinguished charter members, Ellen Marie Jackson+. The Chapter currently has 48 Gracious Ladies who have earned this title by working, sharing and giving over and beyond the call of duty. Chapter 13 can count amongst its membership past and present, Gracious Lady Mary Lee Mayes+ who served on the National Ladies of Grace Division's Supreme General Chapter Board as the 1st Very Faithful Supreme Purser during the establishment of the Ladies of Grace Division as a recognized body in the Knights of Peter Claver, Incorporated; Gracious Lady Olivia Cormier+ who served on the Supreme General Chapter Board as the 4th Very Faithful Supreme Purser, Gracious Lady Franz Aubry (2018) who is currently serving on the Supreme General Chapter Board of Directors as the 8th Very Faithful Supreme Comptroller, eight (8) Gracious Ladies who have served as Western States District Deputy including (+ - means deceased): Ellen Marie Jackson+, Jean D. Harris, Theresa Wright+, Mary Lee Mayes+, Doris Tims, Micaela LeBlanc, Renita Lloyd, and currently serving the District Lori McCoy Shuler; Gracious Lady Alma Bramlette+ who served as the Esteemed Vice Supreme Lady and Gracious Lady Micaela J. A. LeBlanc (2018) who is currently serving as the 14th Most Esteemed Supreme Lady of the Knights of Peter Claver Ladies Auxiliary. The Gracious Ladies promote and foster the ideals of the Knights and Ladies of Peter Claver. The current list of all Gracious Ladies who are active members of Chapter 13 can be found by selecting here. See below or click here for historical list of Past Faithful Navigators for Chapter 13.
