History

The Woman’s Auxiliary to the Board of Missions was established at the meeting of the Board of Missions in October 1872. Its first general meeting was held during the 1874 General Convention, and the organization continued to meet annually for the following four years.

Starting with the General Convention of 1880, the Woman’s Auxiliary began meeting every three years in conjunction with the General Convention. This gathering became known as the Triennial and was informally referred to as the “Third House” of the General Convention, alongside the House of Deputies and the House of Bishops. However, it held no canonical basis or authority.

A significant milestone occurred at the 1889 General Convention with the establishment of the United Offering, which later became known as the United Thank Offering (UTO). This initiative has continued to play a vital role in the mission and ministry of the Episcopal Church.

When the Episcopal Church underwent reorganization during the 1919 General Convention, the Woman’s Auxiliary to the Board of Missions transitioned into the Woman’s Auxiliary to the National Council, which is now known as the Executive Council.

In 1958, the Woman’s Auxiliary evolved into the General Division of Woman’s Work National Council. At this time, local units were encouraged to identify themselves as Episcopal Church Women (ECW), a name that has endured and represents the organization’s ongoing commitment to service, fellowship, and mission within the Episcopal Church.

Presidents

  • Elizabeth Hart Colt - Hartford (1880–1905)
  • Harriette Fenwick Giraud - Middletown (1905–1908)
  • Elizabeth Day Ferguson - Stamford (1908–1915)
  • Lucy Beach Barnum Clapp - Lime Rock (1915–1917)
  • Eleanor G. Acheson - Middletown (1917–1929)
  • Jennie Loomis - Windsor (1929–1938)
  • Mary Louise Pardee - New Haven (1938–1944)
  • Carolyn Chapman Worthey - Bridgeport (1944–1947)
  • Florence M. Plant - New Haven (1947–1953)
  • Louise F. Huntington - Southport (1953–1959)
  • Edith Lawrence Davis - Meriden (1959–1965)
  • Adelaide S. Thomas - Riverside (1965–1971)
  • Ann Harding Robinson - New Caanan (1971–1977)
  • Janet M. Moffat - Guilford (1977–1980)
  • Beverly R. Fawcett - Bethel (1980–1986)
  • Janet L. Lange - Los Altos, CA (1986–1987)
  • Barbara Grube - Glastonbury (1987–1993)
  • Emily Wilson - Bethany (1994–2000)
  • Rachael Desmond - West Hartford (2000–2006)
  • Sylvia Corrigan - Westport (2006–2018)
  • Elizabeth Silva (2018–2024)
  • Paulette Blythe-Russell - Bloomfield (2024–present)