The Catholic Women's League - History

​The Catholic Women's League (CWL) is a Roman Catholic lay organisation aimed at women in England and Wales. Through emigration in the past, the CWL may be found in some Commonwealth countries. It is especially flourishing in Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong.

League History in Canada

The Catholic Women's League of Canada was organized nationally on June 17, 1920 and granted federal incorporation on December 12, 1923.
The League is officially recognized by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) as a lay association of women and is affiliated with the World Union of Catholic Women's Organizations (WUCWO), a world-wide federation holding membership in the conference of International Catholic Organizations (ICO) and having consultative status with agencies of the United Nations.

League History in Alberta

​The first Canadian unit of the Catholic Women's League was formed in Edmonton in 1912 by Katherine Hughes. CWL was organized nationally in 1920, and in 1921 became part of the International Union of Catholic Women's Leagues (now the World Union of Catholic Women's Organizations). In 1948 the Alberta Provincial Council was formed to unite the four diocesan organizations of the province. It became the Alberta Mackenzie Council in 1976 when the Diocese of Mackenzie in the Northwest Territories was included. The Provincial Council consists of a Director (an appointed priest), the Executive, and the Conveners of provincial committees. The five diocesan councils and the parish councils are structured similarly. The objects of the organization are to encourage the spiritual development of its members, promote the teachings of the Catholic Church, and enhance the role of women in church and society. In recent years it has been involved with the rehabilitation of criminals, child welfare, Girl Guides, family counselling and the care of the mentally handicapped.