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Historical Highlights
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1883
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Joseph Cullen Root founded Modern Woodmen of America in Lyons, Iowa. |
| 1884 |
The head office was organized in Fulton, Ill.
The first death claim, $698.58, was paid to Henrietta Mayer of Davenport, Iowa. |
1893  |
The Hutchinson, Kan., camp organized the first drill team. Drill teams became nationally known for entertaining crowds at parades and other events. |
| 1894 |
Members raised $6,655 for drought-stricken members in Kansas and Nebraska. |
| 1897 |
 The head office moved to Rock Island, Ill. |
| 1901 |
Life insurance in force exceeded $1 billion. |
| 1909 |
 Member Eric Lund, Alexandria, Minn., was the first patient at the Modern Woodmen Tuberculosis Sanatorium, which served 12,000 members afflicted with tuberculosis. |
| 1910 |
Membership totaled 1 million. |
| 1925 |
Members raised $59,593 for other members suffering after Midwest windstorms. |
| 1929 |
Modern Woodmen began to issue life insurance to women and children and introduced the first life insurance products with cash and paid-up values. |
| 1930 |
Modern Woodmen switched from an assessment to a legal reserve system, creating a regular schedule for premium payments. Previously premiums were collected on an as-needed basis. |
1942  |
Member Allen Clauser formed the first youth service club in Reading, Pa. |
| 1948 |
Modern Woodmen introduced the Civic Oration Contest, a free program for schools nationwide. Now called the School Speech Contest, this is the organization's longest running Youth Educational Program. |
| 1951 |
Member Timothy Weber, age 3, of Windsor, Colo., received the first Modern Woodmen polio benefit. |
| 1963 |
Modern Woodmen sold its first annuities. |
| 1970 |
Modern Woodmen awarded its first fraternal college scholarships. |
| 1974 |
Teen clubs were added to provide special programs for youth service club members age 13-16. |
| 1979 |
 The Matching Fund Program was introduced to support the fundraising efforts of members for local causes. |
| 1984 |
Modern Woodmen introduced CustomLife, a universal life insurance that accumulates cash values. |
| 1990 |
Modern Woodmen's first tiny tot club provided opportunities for members age 6 and under. |
| 1991 |
The Good Neighbors Program debuted to support the hands-on beautification efforts of members.
Members brightened the lives of military men and women serving in Operation Desert Storm by sending 50,000 personal messages. |
| 1993 |
The first senior camp was founded in Wamego, Kan. |
| 1998 |
Modern Woodmen surpassed $4 billion in assets. |
| 1999 |
Modern Woodmen ensured a smooth transition into Y2K by continuing to update its systems, technology and facilities to meet the challenges of a new millenium. |
2000
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Modern Woodmen camps and clubs participated in the first Join Hands Day, bringing adults and kids together to improve their communities. |
| 2001 |
MWA Financial Services Inc. was formed as a wholly owned subsidiary of Modern Woodmen to function as a full-service broker dealer and distribute securities products.
Modern Woodmen surpassed $5 billion in assets. |
| 2002 |
The Modern Woodmen of America Cares Program raised thousands of dollars for terrorist attack victims. |
| 2003 |
Modern Woodmen subsidiary, MWABank, opened to provide a complete array of personal banking products and services.
Two new fraternal benefits were added - The Child Identification Program and the Prescription Drug Discount Program.
Modern Woodmen surpassed $6 billion in assets. |
| 2004 |
 Modern Woodmen completed renovation of its home office building to better serve members' changing financial needs.
The Plant A Tree Program was added as a fraternal benefit, offering free trees to members nationwide.
Modern Woodmen introduced a new 401(k) product for small businesses. |
| 2005 |
Modern Woodmen surpassed $7 billion in assets.
The Exercise and Nutrition Program was launched in response to the increasing problem of childhood obesity.
Modern Woodmen and its members offered monetary and hands-on support for those affected by hurricanes in the Gulf area. |
| Today |
Modern Woodmen builds on its strong past to help members achieve secure futures. | |
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Photos taken from the Modern Woodmen of America Archives Collection.
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