Our History

The History of GCSRW

1944

Grace Bragg, President of the Women’s Division of GBGM publishes “Women and the Church,” a resource exploring women’s representation, organizations, and involvement in the Methodist church.

1956

Though women had, at times, been granted ordination rites in predecessor denominations, after many years of organizing and several legislative setbacks, women are granted full ordination rights in the Methodist Church.

1968

The Methodist Church merges with the Evangelical United Brethren Church forming The United Methodist Church.

1972

General Conference votes to establish a 4-year Commission on the Status and Role of Women.

1976

It becomes apparent that the work of the Commission is extremely important, and the General Conference votes to codify the General Commission on the Status and Role of Women as a permanent agency of The UMC.

1980

Rev. Marjorie Swank Matthews becomes the first woman elected to the episcopacy.

1984

General Conference votes to establish Commissions on the Status and Role of Women (COSROW) in every annual Conference

2026

GCSRW celebrates 70 years of women’s ordination and continues its work for equity, gender justice, and the elimination of sexual and gender-based harm in the church!