The University of Iowa Libraries

The Johnson County chapter of Church Women United (CWU) was founded in 1963. The national organization was originally named the National United Council of Church Women, but officially changed its name to Church Women United in 1967. The new name signaled a more inclusive organization that welcomed and encouraged Roman Catholic and other orthodox women to participate. The organization´s purpose statement reads: "Church Women United is a national ecumenical Christian women´s movement witnessing to unity and to faith in Jesus Christ through worship, study, action, and celebration."

Church Women United, Johnson County, has been involved in the CWU´s yearly national celebrations: May Fellowship Day, World Community Day, and World Day of Prayer. The group has also been concerned about health care and hosted a workshop in 1993 on reforming the health care system. The Johnson County chapter of CWU also took an interest in responding to victims of domestic violence.

The Church Women United, Johnson County, records date from 1963 to 1998 and measure 9.25 linear inches. The records consist of administrative materials such as correspondence with the national organization, treasurer's reports, and yearbooks, as well as two scrapbooks documenting the group's history. The scrapbooks are bound and contain photographs, newspaper clippings, handouts, brochures, bylaws, and posters. The collection contains a filmstrip and recording prepared by CWU for use among local groups to help them understand the work of CWU. The collection also contains three videocassettes. The videocassette "Gentle, Angry People" addresses women and poverty in the United States, while the other two video recordings tell the history of Church Women United and the story of a Christian Palestinian family of Beitzahour. Materials on the organization's response to the 500th anniversary of Christopher Columbus' arrival in the Americas and a health care workshop hosted by Church Women United, Johnson County, complete the collection.

Access: The records are open for research.

Use: Copyright held by the donor has been transferred to The University of Iowa.

Acquisition: The records (donor no. 701) were donated by Jan Christensen and Marge Klem in 2001.

Preferred Citation: Church Women United (Johnson County, Iowa) records, Iowa Women's Archives, The University of Iowa Libraries, Iowa City.

Repository:	Iowa Women's Archives
Address:	100 Main Library University of Iowa Libraries Iowa City, IA 52242
Phone:	319-335-5068
Curator:	Kären Mason
Email:	lib-women@uiowa.edu
Website:	http://www.lib.uiowa.edu/iwa

This collection is indexed under the following subject terms.

Corporate Names:
Church Women United (Johnson County, Iowa)

Dates:
20th century

Topics:
Ecumenical movement
Women in church work
Medical care
Family violence

Geographic Names:
Johnson County (Iowa)

Genre/Form of Materials:
Archives
Administrative records
Yearbooks
Scrapbooks
Photographs
Posters
Video recordings
Sound recordings

Browse:
Women's Clubs and Organizations