Associated Country Women of the World (ACWW)
Website: http://www.acww.org.uk/
Category: Women's
Year of Foundation: 1929
Location of Foundation: London, UK
Location of Headquarters: London, UK
Brief Description: The Associated Country Women of the World describes itself as 'the largest international organisation for rural women...[with]...a uniquely down-to-earth approach, offering mutual support, friendship and practical help to its members' (Source: http://www.acww.org.uk/; accessed 19 January 2010)
Founding Rationales:
At the first international conference of rural women's organizations in London in 1929, a resolution was passed stating that 'it would be in the interests of all if mutual greetings could be exchanged yearly which might develop into helpful correspondence and exchange of ideas between the Rural Women's Organisations in different parts of the world.' A committee was set up to organize a second conference of rural women's organizations in Vienna. This committee became known as the 'Liaison Commitee of Rural Women's Organisations' which was transformed into the 'Associated Country Women of the World' in Stockholm in 1933.
The chair of the 1929 conference, Mrs. Alfred Watt, stated 'There was no reason why rural women should be the only women who cannot themselves arrange to meet together internationally. I think we are entitled to that. I think we have a big enough programme. We have a more general concern with the welfare of the human race than almost any other body of women because we touch so many of its problem (sic) in a wholly practical way.'
Source: 'What the Country Women of the World are doing. Report of the First Conference of Rural Women's Organizations called by the International Council of Women, London, April 30th - May 3rd, 1929' (London: International Council of Women, 1929), pp. 87-93.
Evolution of Membership:
Sources: YIA; www.acww.org.uk (accessed 19 January 2010)