Church Women United in Illinois History

Church Women United in Illinois (CWUI) 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; a
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 the 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. CWUI members take part in ecumenical
assemblies, area institutes and regional events for the Midwest. In conjunction with CWU,
CWUI 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 CWUI 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 CWUI
Presidents and Ella Boyd, former CWUI 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 CWUI 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.