History & Legacy
1869: 8 women
Today: 800,000 members
United Methodist Women inherits the vision and toil of women’s missionary societies of eight denominations since 1869. Its 150-year legacy started when the Woman’s Foreign Missionary Society first organized in Boston in response to a lack of women’s health in India.
Women in the Methodist and Evangelical United Brethren traditions organized about the same time in history (1869-1893) when women and children were legally classified as “chattel, legally dead, non-persons.” There was little service to women because of prejudice and limitations of cultural attitudes in the church and in society.
1869: 8 women
Today: 800,000 members
United Methodist Women inherits the vision and toil of women’s missionary societies of eight denominations since 1869. Its 150-year legacy started when the Woman’s Foreign Missionary Society first organized in Boston in response to a lack of women’s health in India.
Women in the Methodist and Evangelical United Brethren traditions organized about the same time in history (1869-1893) when women and children were legally classified as “chattel, legally dead, non-persons.” There was little service to women because of prejudice and limitations of cultural attitudes in the church and in society.
Mission Outreach
Our local UMW dollars support both global and local missions:
Finally, periodically we contribute funds for targeted missions, including the Kiwohede mission in Africa, various Youth missions and scholarship programs, and the National UMW World Thank Offering.
- Globally, the UMW focus includes:
- THE RED ZONE campaign to intercept human traffickers
- Ending the detention of migrant families in the US who are fleeing from extreme violence and poverty
- Working to end the school to prison pipeline
- Providing education and tools to promote climate justice
- Locally, the Walnut Creek United Methodist Women have provided long-term support for the the GUM Moon Mission and Mary Elizabeth Inn. Both are National Mission Institutions located in San Francisco. We also support the SHARE pantry in Concord and our own EXTENDED FAMILY mission.
- In 2019 we voted to provide support to the Contra Costa Independent Learning Skills Program (ILSP) that helps youth in the foster care system. Click HERE to see in-depth information about our work in this mission area.
Finally, periodically we contribute funds for targeted missions, including the Kiwohede mission in Africa, various Youth missions and scholarship programs, and the National UMW World Thank Offering.
