History

The Global Women's Project (GWP) grew out of the Gathering of Church of the Brethren Women, held at Manchester College, July, 1978. Moved by a message delivered by Ruthann Knechel Johansen, "Giving Birth To A New World," the conference participants agreed to create the project and to urge the Church of the Brethren General Board to implement the project as a denominational program, though independently funded. Until 1995, GWP had General Board support through Program for Women, World Ministries and Parish Ministries Commissions. Presently, GWP steering committee members share the implementation responsibilities of the program, with limited support from the General Board.