International Council of Women.

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International Council of Women (ICW) founded in Washington, D.C., in 1888, as an international federation of national women's organizations. Later affiliated with the United Nations with headquarters in Paris.

From the description of International Council of Women records, 1931-1957. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 70981886

The International Council of Women, founded in 1888, is one of the pioneer women's international organizations. From the outset its aim was to form a National Council of Women in each self-governing country of the world. In Great Britain the National Union of Women Workers federated with the National Council of Women in 1898 and later changed its name to the International Council of Women. By 1938 the number of councils affiliated to the ICW, which had developed into one of the best known and most consulted of women's international organizations, had risen to 36, but World War II caused great disorganization in its work. The whole conception of the ICW is completely alien to totalitarian ideas and in many countries the councils and their officers suffered, nine of its Councils being suppressed or absorbed into Communist organizations. The Council's objects are to bring together women's organizations from all parts of the world for consultation on action to be taken to promote the welfare of mankind, of the family and of the individual and to work for the removal of all disabilities of women.

From the description of Records, 1888-1959. (Smith College). WorldCat record id: 50491365

The International Council of Women (ICW), founded in 1888, was one of the first international women's organizations. The second international conference of the National Woman Suffrage Association, called by Susan B. Anthony, May Wright Sewall, and other suffragists, created the ICW. The aim of the conference was to form a National Council of Women in each self-governing country of the world. The councils would bring women from many countries together to work for women, not only in the cause of suffrage, but on many fronts. The United States National Council formed immediately, but progress elsewhere was slow. By 1893, Canada had formed a national body. In Great Britain the National Union of Women Workers federated with the National Council of Women in 1898 and later changed its name to the International Council of Women. By 1938 the number of councils affiliated with the ICW, which had developed into one of the best known and most consulted of women's international organizations, had risen to thirty-six.

Flyer for International Council of Women on objectives and history of the organization, 1950

In the early years of its existence, the ICW promoted National Councils and gained acceptance in the international community, but it's primary activity was planning the regular congresses. The ICW, regarded by members of other women's groups as the most conservative of women's international organizations, took pride in it's reputation, viewing it as a consequence of maintaining a broad program. It's early refusal to take a position on suffrage contributed to the formation of more radical organizations, such as the International Alliance of Women. In 1899, the Council began to take on more substantive issues, forming an International Standing Committee on Peace and International Arbitration. Other standing committees were soon established, and through them, the ICW became involved in issues from suffrage to health.

World War II caused great disorganization in the Council's work. Some national councils discontinued their work altogether; in others the leadership and organization were disrupted. In 1946, the ICW met in Philadelphia to re-focus its efforts and recover its former unity. The Conference issued a statement condemning war and all crimes against humanity, as well as demanding a more active role for women in the national and international arena.

Since its inception in 1888, the ICW's aims have been consistent-the unification of women's organizations for action to promote human rights, sexual equality, peace, and women's involvement in the international sphere. As of 2002, there are National Councils in seventy-five countries, and Regional Councils in America and Europe. The ICW continues to organize women globally, focusing on local education and health programs.

For further information about the ICW see: Worlds of Women: The Making of an International Women's Movement by Leila J. Rupp (Princeton University Press: Princeton, NJ, 1997).

From the guide to the International Council of Women Records MS 352., 1888-1959, (Sophia Smith Collection)

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn McConnell, Joyce. Papers [manuscript]. Libraries Australia
referencedIn PH 532, Spafford, Marion Isabell Sims Smith 1895-1982. Marion I. Sims Smith Spafford photographs circa 1898-1970s Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Church History Library
creatorOf National Council of Women of the United States Records, 1888-1976 (Bulk: 1950-1965) New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
referencedIn Anthony, Susan B. (Susan Brownell), 1820-1906. Letter to Mr. Jan Neuthusen, 1899 Mar. 22. Cornell University Library
referencedIn CR 11 10, Relief Society (1842- ). Relief Society general board minutes 1842-2007 Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Church History Library
referencedIn Brown, Hallie Q. (Hallie Quinn), d. 1949. Hallie Q. Brown papers, 1870-1949. Central State University, Hallie Q. Brown Memorial Library
referencedIn National Council of Women of the United States Records, 1888-1976 (Bulk: 1950-1965) New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
referencedIn Papers of Grace A. Johnson in the Woman's Rights Collection, 1840-1952: Subseries A-E, 1840-1952 (inclusive) Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
referencedIn Papers of Anna Howard Shaw in the Mary Earhart Dillon Collection, 1863-1961 Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
referencedIn Papers, n.d., 1904-1946 Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
creatorOf CR 11 16, Relief Society (1842- ). National Council of Women files 1903-1956 Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Church History Library
referencedIn George, Daisy S. Daisy George papers, 1965-1986. New York Public Library System, NYPL
referencedIn Papers of Frieda S. Miller, 1909-1973 (inclusive), 1929-1967 (bulk) Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
referencedIn CR 16 4, Primary Association (1878- ). Primary Association general Board minutes 1889-1994 Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Church History Library
referencedIn Women's newsletter and periodical collection, (inclusive), (bulk), 1923-2011, 1970-1995 Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
referencedIn MS 7692, Gates, Susa Amelia Young 1856-1933. Susa Young Gates papers circa 1870-1933 Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Church History Library
referencedIn Papers of Anna Howard Shaw in the Mary Earhart Dillon Collection, 1863-1961 Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
creatorOf International Council of Women Records MS 352., 1888-1959 Sophia Smith Collection
referencedIn Robbins Gilman and family papers, 1699-1997 Minnesota Historical Society, Division of Archives and Manuscripts
creatorOf International Council of Women Records, 1931-1957 Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
referencedIn Papers of Frieda S. Miller, 1909-1973 (inclusive), 1929-1967 (bulk) Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
referencedIn CR 11 81, Relief Society (1842- ). Relief Society central files 1940-1977 Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Church History Library
referencedIn Daisy George papers, ca.1945-ca.1995 Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. Rare Books, Manuscripts, and Archives Section
referencedIn Papers, 1881-1955 Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
referencedIn Loines, Mary Hillard, 1844-1944. Papers in the Woman's Rights Collection, 1886-1944 Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
referencedIn Somerville and Howorth family papers, 1850-1974 Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
referencedIn Somerville and Howorth family papers, 1850-1974 Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
referencedIn Papers of Fannie Fern Andrews, 1896-1941 Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
referencedIn Barton, Clara, 1821-1912. TLS, 1892 April 18 : Washington D.C. to the various organized bodies of women in Europe. Haverford College Library
referencedIn Loines, Mary Hillard, 1844-1944. Papers in the Woman's Rights Collection, 1886-1944 (inclusive). Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
referencedIn CR 13 24, Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Association (1904-1934). Scrapbooks 1890-1930 Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Church History Library
creatorOf International Council of Women. Records, 1888-1959. Smith College, Neilson Library
referencedIn Robbins Gilman and family papers., 1699-2009. Minnesota Historical Society
referencedIn Grace Harriet Spofford Papers MS 150., 1795-1974, 1935-1954 Sophia Smith Collection
referencedIn Papers of Grace A. Johnson in the Woman's Rights Collection, 1840-1952 Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
referencedIn Spofford, Grace Harriet, 1888-1974. Papers, 1795-1974 (bulk 1935-1954). Smith College, Neilson Library
referencedIn Catt, Carrie Chapman, 1859-1947. Series I of the Mary Earhart Dillon Collection, 1904-1946 (inclusive). Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
referencedIn Papers, 1896-1941 Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
referencedIn Sapon'ko, Angel Osipovich, 1876-1944. Angel Osipovich Sapon'ko papers, 1900-1944. Stanford University, Hoover Institution Library
referencedIn Christitch, Annie, 1885-1977. Annie and Elizabeth O'Brien Christitch Papers, 1879-1977, (bulk 1910-1940). Boston College. John J. Burns Library
referencedIn Grace Gallatin Seton-Thompson Papers MS 143., 1903-1940 Sophia Smith Collection
creatorOf CR 13 30, Young Women's Mutual Improvement Association (1934-1972). Young Women's Mutual Improvement Association executive meeting minutes 1905-1970 Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Church History Library
referencedIn Seton-Thompson, Grace Gallatin. Papers, 1903-1940. Smith College, Neilson Library
referencedIn Whitney, Marian Parker, 1861-1946. Papers, 1842-1945, 1871-1945 (bulk) Campbell University, Wiggins Memorial Library
referencedIn Angel Osipovich Sapon'ko Papers, 1900-1944 Hoover Institution Archives
referencedIn Robinson, Harriet Jane Hanson, 1825-1911, and Shattuck, Harriette Lucy Robinson, 1850–1937. Papers, 1833-1937 Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
referencedIn Phillips, Lena Madesin, 1881-1955. Papers, 1881-1955 (inclusive). Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
creatorOf Conseil International Des Femmes. Correspondence with Marian Anderson, 1934. University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Van Pelt Library
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Aberdeen, Ishbel, 1857-1939 person
associatedWith Andrews, Fannie Fern, 1867-1950. person
associatedWith Anna Howard Shaw, 1847-1919 person
associatedWith Anthony, Lucy Elmina, 1861-1944 person
associatedWith Anthony, Susan B. (Susan Brownell), 1820-1906. person
associatedWith Avery, Rachel Foster, 1858- person
associatedWith Avery, Rachel Foster, 1858-1919. person
associatedWith Barton, Clara, 1821-1912. person
correspondedWith Beggs, Vera W. d. 1968 person
correspondedWith Beggs, Vera W. (Vera Wadsworth), d. 1968- person
associatedWith Brown, Hallie Q. (Hallie Quinn), d. 1949. person
associatedWith Carrie (Lane) Chapman Catt, 1859-1947 person
associatedWith Catt, Carrie Chapman, 1859-1947. person
associatedWith Christitch, Annie, 1885-1977. person
associatedWith Conference of International Non-governmental Organizations. corporateBody
associatedWith Disarmament Committee of the Women's International Organisations. corporateBody
correspondedWith Eder, Jeanne person
correspondedWith Eder, Jeanne person
associatedWith Fannie Fern (Phillips) Andrews, 1867-1950 person
associatedWith FRIEDA SEGELKE MILLER, 1889-1973 person
associatedWith Gates, Susa Amelia Young 1856-1933 person
associatedWith George, Daisy S. person
associatedWith Gilman, Charlotte Perkins, 1860-1935 person
associatedWith Gilman, Robbins, 1878-1955. person
associatedWith Grace Allen (Fitch) Johnson, 1871-1952 person
associatedWith International Institute of Educational Cinematography. corporateBody
associatedWith Johnson, Grace A., 1871-1952. person
associatedWith League of Nations. corporateBody
associatedWith Lena Madesin Phillips, 1881-1955 person
associatedWith Loines, Mary Hillard, 1844-1944. person
associatedWith Mary (Hillard) Loines, 1844-1944 person
associatedWith McConnell, Joyce. person
associatedWith Miller, Frieda S. person
associatedWith National Council of Women of the United States corporateBody
associatedWith Peace and Disarmament Committee of the Women's International Organisations. corporateBody
associatedWith Phillips, Lena Madesin, 1881-1955. person
associatedWith Primary Association (1878- ) corporateBody
associatedWith Relief Society (1842- ) corporateBody
correspondedWith Robinson, Harriet Jane Hanson, 1825-1911 person
associatedWith Salomon, Alice, 1872-1948 person
associatedWith Sapon'ko, Angel Osipovich, 1876-1944. person
associatedWith Seton-Thompson, Grace Gallatin person
associatedWith Sewall, May Wright, 1844-1920 person
correspondedWith Shattuck, Harriette Lucy Robinson, 1850-1937 person
associatedWith Shaw, Anna Howard, 1847-1919. person
associatedWith SOMERVILLE-HOWORTH FAMILY family
associatedWith Somerville, Nellie Nugent, 1863-1952. person
associatedWith Spafford, Marion Isabell Sims Smith 1895-1982 person
associatedWith Spofford, Grace Harriet, 1888-1974 person
correspondedWith Stetten, Alice Mayer, 1887-1972 person
associatedWith United Nations. corporateBody
associatedWith Whitney, Marian Parker, 1861-1946. person
associatedWith Wijnaendts Franken-Dyserinck, W. person
associatedWith Willard, Frances Elizabeth, 1839-1898 person
associatedWith Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Association (1904-1934) corporateBody
associatedWith Young Women (Auxiliary : 1974- ) corporateBody
associatedWith Young Women's Mutual Improvement Association (1934-1972) corporateBody
Place Name Admin Code Country
United States
Subject
Education
Cinematography
Disarmament
Motion pictures in education
Peace
Women
Women
Women
Women
Women's rights
Occupation
Activity

Corporate Body

Active 1931

Active 1957

International

Multiple languages

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