Contact: Laraine Bennett, National Council of Catholic Women, 703-224-0990, lbennett@nccw.org

ARLINGTON, Va., Feb. 21, 2017 /Christian Newswire/ -- The National Council of Catholic Women, established by the U.S. Catholic Bishops, will celebrate its 97th year of serving the Church and communities on March 4, 1920.
 
Historic milestones in the NCCW history include: a White House reception for delegates from the first NCCW Convention in 1921, address by President Dwight D. Eisenhower at the 1954 Convention in Boston, Mother Teresa's first trip to the United States to speak at the 1960 NCCW Convention in Las Vegas and NCCW's presence at the historic signing of the Equal Pay for Equal Work Bill in 1963 with President John F. Kennedy.

Today, NCCW continues its long-standing tradition as Catholic leaders at the intersection of Church and society by providing resources that answer the most pressing issues facing society today—human trafficking, domestic violence, pornography, evangelization, and temporary care giving through the Respite program. In response to the increase in numbers of women seeking to enter religious orders, a Vocation Purse Club was established to provide financial aid to women seeking this vocation. "During our 97 years of existence, NCCW has promoted solutions to current societal concerns by developing programs or volunteering to serve those with needs," said Sheila Hopkins, NCCW President.

The U.S. Catholic bishops created the National Council of Catholic Women to give women a unified voice, a program of service and a vehicle for collaboration. NCCW's mission is to act through its members to support, empower and educate all Catholic women in spirituality, leadership and service. For more information on resources or membership, go to the website at www.nccw.org.