Catholic Women’s League Papers 1932-2002 (Mss Acc 103)

Abstract

CATHOLIC WOMEN’S LEAGUE OF SOUTHERN AFRICA ARCHIVES (1932- )

The Catholic Women’s League Archives comprises 10,1 linear metres consisting of minutes, correspondence, pamphlets, press cuttings, publications and photographs. The papers reflect the involvement of the Catholic Church in the development of social welfare in South Africa. The Archives is a valuable primary source for researchers interested in gender, religious and social studies as the materials illustrate the many social and emotional problems which affect the lives of women in the twentieth century. The documents also give us an insight into the changing role of women in society. The fulltime housewife of the thirties has disappeared to make way for the career woman-cum-housewife of to-day.

The League was founded in England in 1897 by Margaret Fletcher. A convert to Catholicism, she was concerned that Catholic women living in these so called “modern society” would grow away from Catholic norms and teachings. The League’s objective was to train and to encourage Catholic women to take part in religious, social and civic affairs. During May 1931 the Catholic Women’s League was inaugurated in Cape Town with Mrs Donovan as the first president

In 1997 the National Council changed its area of operation to Southern Africa and now comprises of 20 Diocesan Council members, as well as Namibia and Swaziland.

WORK OF THE LEAGUE

In 1962 the National Council became a full member of the World Union of Catholic Women’s Organisations (WUCWO), sharing the work and concerns of Catholic women internationally. This involves not only secular concerns like women and child abuse, human rights violations, genetic engineering etc., but also ensures that women are heard at an ecclesiastical level in the Vatican.