The National Council of Catholic Women

The National Council of Catholic Women consists of thousands of Catholic women and affiliated (group) Catholic women's organizations in parishes and dioceses throughout the United States. 

About Us

  • NCCW was founded in 1920 by the United States Catholic Bishops

  • NCCW is represented at the biannual meetings of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)

  • NCCW is a member of the World Union of Catholic Women's Organisations (WUCWO).

  • NCCW has representation at the Catholic Social Ministry Gathering which advocates Catholic views to Congress.

  • NCCW fields a representative at the United Nations in New York.

  • We are partners with Catholic Relief Services, Cross Catholic Outreach, Catholic Charities USA , and many other organizations that share our mission.

NCCW offers its members:

- Spirituality, Leadership and Service opportunities, programs and resources

- Annual subscription to the quarterly Catholic Woman Magazine

- Annual subscription to the monthly NCCW President's Pen e-newsletter

- Eligibility to vote in NCCW Elections and at the Annual Business meeting

- An annual Convention

- An avenue to network with Catholic women all over the United States

- Service on NCCW Commission Teams and Committees

- Access to resources of the Center of Concern's Education for Justice.

- Opportunities to enhance personal faith formation and to address current social issues with prayer and programs.

Our Mission

The National Council of Catholic Women acts through its members to support, empower and educate all Catholic women in spirituality, leadership and service. NCCW programs respond with Gospel values to the needs of the Church and society in the modern world.

NCCW is non-profit organization and is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

NCCW was born in 1920!!!

“By the first decade of the 20th century, a national organization was needed to play a more active role in U.S. Catholic life.” And so on March 4, 1920 the National Council of Catholic Women (NCCW) was founded by the US Bishops.

The purpose of the women's council was
1. To give to the Catholic women of the country a common voice and an instrument for unified action in all matters affecting Catholic or national welfare.

2. To ensure proper Catholic representation on, and the proper recognition of Catholic principles in national committees and national movements affecting the religious, moral and material well-being of the country.

3. To stimulate the work of existing Catholic women’s organizations to greater service and usefulness in meeting the needs of our times.