General Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the United States. Women's Home and Foreign Missionary Society.

In 1877, the Iowa Synod asked for a hearing by the General Synod at its annual meeting in Carthage, Illinois. The goal of this meeting was to discuss a united women's missionary society of the General Synod. A committee was created by the General Synod to organize a women's society for the General Synod. This committee called a general convention to be held in Canton, Ohio, in June of 1879. One hundred and thirty women and a number of ministers were present. The Women's Home and Foreign Missionary Society was formed, and a constitution was created and adopted. A Literature Committee was appointed so that people, both at home and abroad, could remain updated on missionary work. An Executive Committee, consisting of ten members, was also appointed to handle the affairs of the society. The society's goal was to have an auxiliary "in every congregation connected with the General Synod."