National Council of Women of the United States

The National Council of Women of the United States (NCW/US) is the oldest,^{[1][non-primary source needed]} nonsectarian organization of women in America. Officially founded in 1888,^[2] the NCW/US traces back to the anti-slavery movement and is now an accredited non-governmental organization (NGO) with the Department of Public Information (UN/DPI)^[1] and in Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations (ECOSOC).^[3]

Mission Statement

On March 31, 1888 in Washington, D.C., a meeting was held by the first official officers of the National Council of Women of the United States: Frances E. Willard, President; Susan B. Anthony, Vice President; Mary Eastman, Recording Secretary; M. Louise Thomas, Treasurer; May Wright Sewall, Corresponding Secretary and 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."^[2]

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.^[4]

The NCW/US Today

The National Council of Women of the United States, along with its member organizations and individual members, continues today to uphold their mission statement in driving towards social and political change. They serve as a 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.^[4]

Member Organizations

The National Council of Women is an affiliate of the International Council of Women. The following organizations are affiliates of the National Council of Women/US: Medical Women's International Association, National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Clubs, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Nation to Nation Networking, Knowledge iTrust, Pan-Pacific and Southeast Asia Women's Association, Sister To Sister International, Soroptimist International, Ukrainian National Women's League of America, 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 Sorority.^[5]

See also

• International Council of Women

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "National Council of Women of the United States". http://www.ncwus.org/index.php. Retrieved 25 April 2011. 
2. ^ ^{a b} Robbins, Lousie Barnum (1898). History and minutes of the National Council of Women of the United States, organized in Washington, D.C., March 31, 1888.. Boston: E.B. Stillings & Co.. http://pds.lib.harvard.edu/pds/view/2574304?n=31&s=4&printThumbnails=no. 
3. ^ "United Nations: Civil Society Participation - View Profile". esango.un.org. http://esango.un.org/civilsociety/showProfileDetail.do?method=showProfileDetails&tab=1&profileCode=1816. Retrieved 25 April 2011. 
4. ^ ^{a b} "National Council of Women of the United States Mission". http://www.ncwus.org/mission.php. Retrieved 25 April 2011. 
5. ^ "National Council of Women of the United States Member Organizations". http://www.ncwus.org/member_organizations.php. Retrieved 25 April 2011. 

External links

• National Council of Women of the United States website