The National Council of Women of the United States (NCW/US) is the oldest

nonsectarian Nonsectarian institutions are secular institutions or other organizations not affiliated with or restricted to a particular religious group. Academic sphere Examples of US universities that identify themselves as being nonsectarian include Adelp ...

organization of women in America. Officially founded in 1888, the NCW/US is an accredited

non-governmental organization A non-governmental organization (NGO) or non-governmental organisation (see spelling differences) is an organization that generally is formed independent from government. They are typically nonprofit entities, and many of them are active in h ...

(NGO) with the Department of Public Information (UN/DPI) and in Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations (ECOSOC).

Establishment

During the preparations of 1887–1888 for the meeting of the

International Council of Women The International Council of Women (ICW) is a women's rights organization working across national boundaries for the common cause of advocating human rights for women. In March and April 1888, women leaders came together in Washington, D.C., with ...

May Wright Sewall May Wright Sewall (May 27, 1844 – July 22, 1920) was an American reformer, who was known for her service to the causes of education, women's rights, and world peace. She was born in Greenfield, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin. Sewall served as cha ...

, an active member of the Committee of Arrangements, conceived the idea of finalizing the results of that gathering of women into permanent organizations dedicated to the uplifting of humanity. From her carefully elaborated thought arose the permanent International Council of Women and the National Council of Women of the United States, both organized, and their central boards of officers elected, March 31, 1888, in

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The first official officers of the National Council of Women of the United States were

Frances Willard Frances Elizabeth Caroline Willard (September 28, 1839 – February 17, 1898) was an American educator, temperance reformer, and women's suffragist. Willard became the national president of Woman's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) in 1879 an ...

, President;

Susan B. Anthony Susan B. Anthony (born Susan Anthony; February 15, 1820 – March 13, 1906) was an American social reformer and women's rights activist who played a pivotal role in the women's suffrage movement. Born into a Quaker family committed to s ...

, Vice President;

Mary F. Eastman Mary F. Eastman (October 20, 1833 - November 1, 1908) was an American educator, lecturer, writer, and suffragist of the long nineteenth century. A native of Lowell, Massachusetts, she resided in Tewksbury for many years. She taught in the high an ...

, Recording Secretary; M. Louise Thomas, Treasurer;

, Corresponding Secretary. They adopted and presented the following preamble: :''"We, women of the United States of America, believing that the best good of humanity will be advanced by efforts toward greater unity of sympathy and purpose, and that a voluntary association of individuals so united will best serve the highest good of the family, the community, the state, do hereby freely band ourselves together into a federation of all races, creeds, and traditions, to further the application of the Golden Rule to society, custom, and law."'' All national organisations of women, interested in the advancement of women's work in education, philanthropy, reform, and social culture, were welcome to join. When an organization entered the council, its president became an acting vice-president in the council, and it also had the right to appoint one person to represent it on the executive board of the council. This board included the general officers of the council, together with the presidents of all organisations belonging to it, and one delegate besides its president from every organisation. This board also constituted a committee of arrangements for the first triennial meeting of the council. The constitution of the NCW/US called for triennial meetings of this organization to be held at Washington, D.C. At the close of the various business meetings of 1888 connected with the International Council of Women, it was agreed that the NCW/US would hold the first of the triennial meeting, provided for by its constitution, in February 1891 at the Albaugh's

Opera House An opera house is a theatre building used for performances of opera. It usually includes a stage, an orchestra pit, audience seating, and backstage facilities for costumes and building sets. While some venues are constructed specifically for o ...

. The central board of officers was responsible for arranging this meeting.

Present day

Today, the National Council of Women of the United States works to address the diverse concerns of women in pursuit of social, economic and political equality while serving as a united voice and forum to promote progressive ideas and influence policy decisions that impact human rights. They represent all races, creeds and traditions. The National Council of Women of the United States, along with its member organizations and individual members, continues today to uphold their mission statement: ''to further the application of the Golden Rule to society, custom, and law''. During the annual

United Nations Commission on the Status of Women The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW or UNCSW) is a functional commission of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), one of the main UN organs within the United Nations. CSW has been described as the UN organ promoting gend ...

, the Council serves as host to hundreds of women from all over the world, introducing them to the United Nations as an organized body of 192 nations with many Commissions, Conventions and Treaties that impact women and children here and across the globe. Monitoring the United Nations and reporting on current issues and activities, they also develop, implement and present public interest seminars and workshops.

Member organizations

The National Council of Women is an affiliate of the

. The following organizations are affiliates of the National Council of Women/US
NANBPWC

Delta Sigma Theta Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. () is a historically African American sorority. The organization was founded by college-educated women dedicated to public service with an emphasis on programs that assist the African American community. Delta ...

sorority, Nation to Nation Networking, Knowledge iTrust, Pan-Pacific and Southeast Asia Women's Association,

Sigma Gamma Rho Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. () is a historically African American sorority, international collegiate, and non-profit community service organization that was founded on November 12, 1922, by seven educators on the Irvington campus (1875–1 ...

sorority, Sister To Sister International,

Soroptimist International Soroptimist International (SI) is a global volunteer service organization for women with nearly 72,000 members in 121 countries worldwide. According to Soroptimist.org, their mission statement says that, "Soroptimist is a global volunteer organiza ...

Ukrainian National Women's League of America The Ukrainian National Women's League of America (UNWLA) is a charitable and cultural organization that unites women of Ukrainian descent and affiliation. Since its establishment in 1945, the organization has launched numerous social welfare, cul ...

, National Council of Women of New Zealand, International Health Awareness Network, National Council of Ghanaian Associations, United Nations Association of America (Tampa Bay, FL Chapter), Voices of African Mothers, and

Zeta Phi Beta Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. () is a historically African American sorority. In 1920, five women from Howard University envisioned a sorority that would raise the consciousness of their people, encourage the highest standards of scholastic achie ...

sorority.

Past presidents

* Saideh A. Brown * Iryna Kurowyckyj * Belle S. Spafford * Mary Lowe Dickinson *

Eva Perry Moore Eva Perry Moore (July 24, 1852 – April 28, 1931) was an American clubwoman based in St. Louis, president of the General Federation of Women's Clubs and the National Council of Women.Karen J. Blair"Eva Perry Moore"in ''American National Biograph ...

* Vera Rivers *

Hope Skillman Schary Hope Skillman Schary ( 1908 –1981) was an American textile designer and business executive. She founded the textile manufacturing company Skillmill (originally Hope Skillman, Inc.). She was a women's rights leader, heading organizations devoted ...

* Mary E. Singletary * Suzanne Stutman *

Mary Wood Swift Mary Wood Swift (September 12, 1841 – April 8, 1927) was an American suffragist and clubwoman, president of the National Council of Women of the United States from 1903 to 1909. Early life Mary Angeline Wood was born in New York, the daughter ...

Frances E. Willard Frances Elizabeth Caroline Willard (September 28, 1839 – February 17, 1898) was an Americans, American educator, Temperance movement, temperance reformer, and women's suffrage, women's suffragist. Willard became the national president of Wom ...

*Merrinelle Rice Sullivan

Gallery

File:Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B Anthony.jpg,

Elizabeth Cady Stanton Elizabeth Cady Stanton (November 12, 1815 – October 26, 1902) was an American writer and activist who was a leader of the women's rights movement in the U.S. during the mid- to late-19th century. She was the main force behind the 1848 Seneca ...

File:The Countess Aberdeen (1895).png, Countess Aberdeen File:Hannah Johnston Bailey (1895).png,

Hannah Johnston Bailey Hannah Johnston Bailey (July 5, 1839 – October 23, 1923) was an American Quaker teacher, activist, and advocate for peace, temperance, and women's suffrage. Early life Hannah Clark Johnston was born in Cornwall, New York, in the Hudson Valle ...

File:Alice Stone Blackwell (1895).png,

Alice Stone Blackwell Alice Stone Blackwell (September 14, 1857 – March 15, 1950) was an American feminist, suffragist, journalist, radical socialist, and human rights advocate. Early life and education Blackwell was born in East Orange, New Jersey to Henry Browne ...

File:Lillie Devereux Blake (1895).png,

Lillie Devereux Blake Lillie Devereux Blake (pen name, Tiger Lily; August 12, 1833 – December 30, 1913) was an American woman suffragist, reformer, and writer, born in Raleigh, North Carolina, and educated in New Haven, Connecticut. In her early years, Blake wrote se ...

File:Frances E. Burns (The Fraternal Monitor, 1922).png,

Frances E. Burns Frances E. Burns (May 2, 1866 – November 19, 1937) was an American social leader and business woman. She served as Great Commander for Michigan of the Ladies of the Maccabees. She was the first woman executive of an American fraternal congress t ...

File:Mary Lowe Dickinson (1895).png, Mary Lowe Dickinson File:Miriam Howard Dubose (1895).png,

Miriam Howard Dubose Miriam ( he, מִרְיָם ''Mīryām'', lit. 'Rebellion') is described in the Hebrew Bible as the daughter of Amram and Jochebed, and the older sister of Moses and Aaron. She was a prophetess and first appears in the Book of Exodus. The T ...

File:Imogene Corinne Franciscus Fales (1895).png, Imogene Corinne Franciscus Fales File:Susa Young Gates (1895).png,

Susa Young Gates Susa Gates ( Young, formerly Dunford; March 18, 1856 – May 27, 1933) was a writer, periodical editor, and women's rights advocate in Utah. In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Gates wrote the first lesson manual, was a member of ...

File:Helen Augusta Howard (1895).png, Helen Augusta Howard File:Josephine Humpal-Zeman (1895).png, Josephine Humpal-Zeman File:Claudia Howard Maxwell (1895).png,

Claudia Howard Maxwell Claudia may refer to: People Ancient Romans *Any woman from the Roman Claudia gens *Claudia (vestal), a Vestal Virgin who protected her father Appius Claudius Pulcher in 143 BC *Claudia Augusta (63–63 AD), infant daughter of Nero by his second ...

File:Bina West Miller (1895).png,

Bina West Miller Bina West Miller (1867-1954) was an American businesswoman. She was a leader of the Ladies of the Maccabees. Biography Sabina ("Bina") M. West was born in 1867, in Columbus Township, St. Clair County, Michigan. Beginning her career as a teacher ...

File:Anna Howard Shaw (1895).png,

Anna Howard Shaw Anna Howard Shaw (February 14, 1847 – July 2, 1919) was a leader of the women's suffrage movement in the United States. She was also a physician and one of the first ordained female Methodist ministers in the United States. Early life Shaw ...

File:Kate Brownlee Sherwood (1895).png,

Kate Brownlee Sherwood Kate Brownlee Sherwood (, Brownlee; September 24, 1841 – February 15, 1914) was an American poet, journalist, translator and story writer of the long nineteenth century, as well as a philanthropist, and patron of the arts and literature. Sherw ...

File:Minnie Jensen Snow (1895).png, Minnie Jensen Snow File:MaryWoodSwift1909.png, alt=Older white woman with white curly hair.,

File:Louise Rockwood Wardner (1895).png, Louise Rockwood Wardner File:Anne E. Wastell (1895).png, Anne E. Wastell File:Emmeline B. Wells (1895).png,

Emmeline B. Wells Emmeline Blanche Woodward Harris Whitney Wells (February 29, 1828 – April 25, 1921) was an American journalist, editor, poet, women's rights advocate, and diarist. She served as the fifth Relief Society General President of the Church of Jesus ...

References

Citations

Attribution

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:National Council Of Women Of The United States Organizations established in 1888 Women's organizations based in the United States 1888 establishments in the United States