Elizabeth Aldworth (1693-1772) of County Cork, Ireland and Catherine Sweet Babington (1815-1886) of Shelby, NC both became Freemasons under similar circumstances. Each overheard the conferring of degrees. The members of the Lodges involved, upon discovering the women, determined the best course of action was to initiate them, so as to protect the secrets by obligation. Mrs. Aldworth had (possibly inadvertently) overheard a Fellowcraft Degree and was initiated in the second degree in 1712 at Lodge 44, Doneraile Court. Ms. Babington had repeatedly hidden in Lodge, had heard all degrees and was initiated as a Master Mason at the age of 16. Details surrounding Ms. Babbington's situation are sketchy, but generally thought to be true. Elizabeth Adlworth (Hon. Elizabeth St. Leger) most certainly became a Fellowcraft, and her grave marker recognizes her as the world's first regular female Freemason.
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