GUILD OF OUR LADY, CCW at 111 Tropicana Drive, Punta Gorda, FL 33950-5019 US - OUR ORGANIZATION'S HISTORY

Brief History of NCCW NCCW was founded in March 1920, under the auspices of the U.S. Catholic Bishops. The Bishops had witnessed the important work done by Catholic women’s organizations during WWI and called for the founding of a national organization that unify voices, services, and reach out to the needy. In its early years NCCW was organized into 15-20 committees that emphasizes the sanctity of marriage and educate women on the dangers of birth control and divorce. After WWI, NCCW welcomed and aided European immigrants. After the Black Thursday (stock market crash) on October 24,1929, NCCW reached out, training volunteers to work in settlement houses and wherever work was needed during WWII. In 1946 a Foreign Relief Committee was added to help children overseas. During the 1950-60’s NCCW increase its international ties, joining the World Union of Catholic Women Organization (WUCWO). The renewal of the Catholic Church through Vatican Council II, help women to take leadership roles and support the developing programs in the councils to improve their skills. After Vatican Council II, NCCW reorganized and followed the directive of the Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity, eliminating all of the committees and establishing the Commission System, as we know it today. The Legislation Commission was added in 1995, focusing in social justice issues. NCCW’s activities mirror events in the country and the World, but its strength is the parish base women who served the poor, elderly, and the forgotten here at Sacred Heart in Punta Gorda in the GUILD OF OUR LADY. Our Legislative Commission advocates at state and national legislatures, and we all support one another in the various circumstances of our lives. GUILD OF OUR LADY joins our NCCW sisters voices in prayer and worship. Our strength is in the united efforts of Catholic women around the World. We are proud to be part of this Organization. Summary done by Iris Gomez From the article at the Ohio Convention 2007

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