Church Women United in Illinois History

Church Women United in Illinois (CWUIL) is the state chapter of the national organization, Church

Women United (CWU). CWU was organized as a national organization in 1941. CWU an ecumenical

movement of interdenominational Christian women from diverse racial, ethnic, age and economic

backgrounds. The fundamental purpose of CWU is to bring together Christian women, united in their

faith, to work towards the betterment of the community and the development of women’s full potential in society.

The logo of Church Women United is a circle with the exploding sun at the center. The rays suggest

the dynamic force, vitality and life of the sun as our source of light and from Jesus, the Son, and our

Source of Enlightenment. The rays also indicate movement, action and power; and coming and going as

God’s people return to the Source for strength and then go out into the world in mission. The texture and

richness of the rays symbolize the qualities that Christian women can contribute to the world. Texture

relates to the way constituent parts are woven together. So, it is that in Church Women United, Christian

women from diverse backgrounds unite in a way that provides body and fullness for witness in a pluralistic, changing society.

Church Women United Illinois originated in 1931 as the Illinois Council of Federated Church Women.

The non-profit organization changed its name to the Illinois Council of Church Women in 1936, and then

to the United Council of Church Women in 1941. In 1956, it was renamed United Church Women, and

officially became Church Women United in Illinois in 1967 and affiliated with Church Women United.

Church Women United Illinois is divided into local units. Each local unit has its own officers and

committees, which join together annually at the State Assembly along with the organization’s state

officers and board members. CWUIL members take part in ecumenical assemblies, area institutes and

regional events for the Midwest. In conjunction with CWU, CWUIL also participates in various annual

activities, such as World Day of Prayer, May Fellowship Day, World Community Day, and Fellowship of the Least Coin.

In 1983 CWUIL started a mission to raise money to build a chapel at Dwight Correctional Center, the

only women’s prison in Illinois without a chapel. After a decade of fundraising, the chapel was completed in 1993.

Church Women United Illinois archives are located in Loyola University Chicago – Women and

Leadership Archives donated by Margaret Tweet and Darla Weltmer both former CWUIL Presidents and

Ella Boyd, former CWUIL Historian. The Church Women United in Illinois records span from 1912 to

1999, with most of the material from 1980 to 1998. The collection is organized mainly to the

organization and administration of the CWUIL and includes the records of the Executive Board, local

affiliate handbooks, information on state assemblies, area programming, the group’s history, 50 th

Anniversary, and public activities (i.e., World Day of Prayer and Farm Worker Ministry).

In 1999 when many of the historical documents were archived at Loyola University, Church Women

United Illinois had 110 local units throughout the state. In 2024 addition documents were donated by

Historian Edna I. Holloway.

In 2023 under the leadership of State President Elaine Bailey Johnson, two new units were added –

the Rockford Area Unit, President Kenna Brassfield and the DuPage County Area Unit,

President Melody Coleman. In 2024 Church Women United in Illinois has 30 units of which 3

are inactive.