One memory I have is being part of the Girls Auxiliary (G.A.s). You could join Junior G.A.s as a 4th grader and you were in Junior G.A.s through the 8th grade. You then moved into Senior G.A.s from 9th through 12th grades. As a Junior, we had what were called steps to complete which included memorizing scripture, mission projects, community service, and cooking dishes from different countries where Southern Baptists had missionaries. You started out as a Maiden, followed by Lady In-Waiting, Princess, and Queen. If you were still considered a Junior when you completed the Queen step, then you could get Queen in Service. We weren’t allowed to go beyond Queen in Service until we were a Senior G.A.

Once we became a Senior G.A., we could then receive our Queen with Scepter, then Queen Regent, and finally if you still had time before graduation, you could complete the Queen Regent in Service. As we completed requirements for each step our director would sign off on our progress. When all requirements were met for each step, we would go before the Reviewing Counsel of ladies from the Women’s Missionary Union. We had to answer their questions without notes, to include any of the memory verses we were required to learn. I remember one of the requirements for the first step of Maiden was memorizing the words to the G.A. song, which was “We’ve a Story to Tell to the Nations”. We had to learn all four verses.

Every year, we would have G.A. Coronation and each group was presented. The Maidens would first be presented as a group. Your name would be called out and each girl would walk the aisle of the Church. When all candidates reached the platform, each candidate would be given their Maiden emblem. The Maidens were followed by the Ladies In-Waiting, which were presented in the same manner, followed by all receiving the Princess candidates. When it was time for the Queens to be presented, a fanfare would sound and someone would announce the Queen candidate. They would say something like "Queen Judy of the House of Stubblefield" and I would go to the front. The Queens were presented individually. For those receiving the first Queen designation, a younger girl would be the crown bearer and carry the crown on a white silk pillow. When we got to the front, we would kneel on another white pillow and be crowned. After the Queens were presented, then the Queens with Scepters would be presented. They would have a scepter bearer who would carry their scepter on a pillow. They were presented with their Scepter once they reached the front. Then the same procedure was followed by the Queen Regents. Their cape bearers carried their cape on the pillow. The Director would then place the cape on each Queen Regent.

This was a very special ceremony rewarding us for the hard work we did in earning our designations. Afterwards a reception was held in our honor in the fellowship hall.

I aged out of G.A.s just as the organization was reorganized by the Southern Baptist Convention. The Junior G.A.s became Girls in Action (still called G.A.s) and the Senior G.A.s are now called ACTEENS.