The WCTU began in Cleveland, Ohio in November of 1874
It grew out of the "Women's Crusade" of the winter of 1873-1874. Initial groups in Fredonia, New York and Hillsboro and Washington Court House, Ohio, after listening to a lecture by Dr. Dio Lewis, were moved to a non-violent protest against the dangers of alcohol. Normally quiet housewives dropped to their knees in pray-ins in local saloons and demanded that the sale of liquor be stopped. In three months the women had driven liquor out of 250 communities, and for the first time felt what could be accomplished by standing together.
Surely we have no need to fear the success of a movement that began with women on their knees. - Frances E. Willard
Behind the WCTU's temperance reform was "protection of the home." Through education and example the WCTU obtained pledges of total abstinence from alcohol, and later also tobacco and other drugs.
The WCTU is the oldest continuous, non-sectarian woman's organization in the world. By the late nineteenth century dues-paying members numbered over 200,000.
The WCTU has proposed, supported, and helped establish: protection of women and children at home and work, women's right to vote, shelters for abused women and children, the eight-hour work day, equal pay for equal work, founding of kindergartens, mother's meetings which grew into the PTA, federal aid for education, stiffer penalties for sexual crimes, uniform marriage and divorce laws, dress reform, travelers' aid, prison reform and police matrons, women police officers, homes and education for wayward girls, promotion of nutrition, pure food and drug act, legal aid, labor's right to organize, passive demonstrations and world peace.
WCTU has opposed and worked against: the drug traffic; use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs; slavery; child labor; and army brothels, among other things.
Watch Words of WCTU: Educate, Legislate and Agitate, until every heart is stirred.
WCTU of Maryland organized in Baltimore on November 10, 1875
This partial history of our work in Maryland was compiled from minutes of meetings found in our archives. It will be expanded as more information becomes available.
1936
Fought against sale of liquor on the American Airways; protested gambling bills; prevented licensing of beer saloon; campaigned to stop the sale of war toys; campaigned for better moving pictures; worked against rum-soaked cigarettes and cigars - Buy Dry Campaign; worked for National Council for Prevention of War; Peace Action; promoted Teaing and Ice Cube Tinkles; created and sent 627 bags, 26 afghans, 92 dozen cookies, fruit, candy, Bibles, scrapbooks, Comfort Kits to Walter Reed, Marine and Perry Point hospitals, Anchorage and the John Howard Center
1938
Worked for the creation of recreation facilities for families without alcohol; worked with National Peace Conference to keep the United States out of war
1940
Flower Mission and Relief Work included two truck loads of Iris to States Road Commission for roadside beautification
1941
Mrs. Helen E. Shepherd went to each school Superintendent to promote the teaching of alcohol education; worked for enforcement laws to teach Narcotic Education in Maryland's public schools.
1942
Frances Willard calendars placed into public schools; promoted the significance of teaching the Bible in public schools and memorizing Scripture; promoted the observance of Mother's Day; Helen E. Robinson stated, "My special message for this year is the evangelism of children. Let us present Christ to them in such a way that they may see the King in His beauty".
1944
Stressed Home Commitment to Total Abstinence as started by the War Time Program; worked on the Go to School drive to help stop juvenile delinquency and girls serving as prostitutes
1945
Protested the continuation of the drafting of 18-20 year olds; urged Congress not to allow the secret of the Atomic Bomb to get out of their hands; worked on the Tobacco Ordinances of Baltimore and Child Labor Law; promoted the use of bulletin boards in each Sunday school and meeting places of the youth as an educational and warning device for Temperance Evangelism; promoted Fight with Facts for Freedom; thanked Governor O'Connor for passage of ordinance prohibiting smoking in public conveyances; worked to stop Compulsory Military Training in peace times
1946
WCTU Unions had trouble serving non-alcoholic recipes due to the sugar shortage - unions had "to resort to bottled soft drinks for their beverage ... a few served fruit juices and ice tea"; 100 attractively-made Comfort Bags were filled and delivered to the girls at the House of Good Shepherd for Colored Girls; Health Meetings were held which were social teas teaching mothers about medicine, vitamins, milk and food for babies; worked to insure a Health and Medical Temperance Department in every union in the state (needed due to the "audit of physical unfits the army turned down and thru the reports of the Board of Health department concerning the increase of social diseases"; protested against the use of sugar or cereal grain for alcohol use as sugar and grain was desperately needed over the world to help prevent famine; took a stand to close all taverns and dance halls on the Sabbath Day
1948
Stopped the issuing of a license for beer in canteen at the State Armory; worked to stop pinball machines and bingo; urged the separation of juvenile offenders from adult offenders in the jails; urged enforcement of state law in public schools; urged railroad companies of America to discontinue the sale of alcoholic beverages on trains; urged support of the United Nations and worked for International Disarmament; urged that care of alcoholics be paid for by the alcohol industry; urged that prohibition be added back into the U.S. Constitution
1949
Worked to prohibit the sale of alcohol on Sunday everywhere in Maryland; appealed to President Truman, Senators, and all public men and their wives and daughters to banish all wines and alcohol from their wedding banquets and private tables; urged passage of the Langer and Bryson bills to outlaw alcoholic beverage ads in interstate commerce and over the radio; urged the release of conscientious objectors„Ÿwho were serving prison terms rather than surrender their right of religious freedom
1951
Worked to expose cooperation between gambling, liquor and crime; worked against the use of heroin and marihuana both legislatively and educationally; worked for the prevention of blindness among babies (thought to be caused by mothers smoking); Brewers Journal reported WCTU means, "Women Constantly Tormenting Us" the WCTU responded "We will continue to torment them until they quit;" thousands of letters were sent to protest President Truman serving alcohol in the White House; purchased an "amputee chair" for the Fort Howard Veterans' Hospital; made donations to Blood Banks
1952
Stressed serving fruit juice at PTA meetings; promoted the Three rules of Fruesta„ŸHave a superlative drink, serve it as beautifully as you can or know how, have plenty for everyone; worked for baby sitting to permit mothers to help at the polls and/or be able to vote; alerted the Sheriff and his aids of taverns permitting youth on their premises„Ÿsome were closed.
1954
Worked to elect total abstainers into public office; wrote to UN, Congress and to the Geneva Conference promoting fruit juices for overseas; sent silk hose and silk underwear to Japan; hundreds of WCTU members attended the hearing to stop the sale of beer at the Baltimore Memorial Stadium; worked to stop the serving of alcohol at government office parties
1956
Sent telegrams, letters, petitions urging support of HR4627 and HR800 to prohibit the serving of alcohol to passengers in flight onboard airlines; sent letters to Senators and Congressmen urging a full investigation into drinking in the Armed Services; items were sent to Japan, Korea, India, Greece, Germany, and Mexico
1957
Urged the passage of Uniform Chemical Test for Drinking Drivers - Morse (S-969); sent over 100 letters, 20 telegrams, 40 cards and 8 telephone calls requesting non-alcoholic beverages be served at the President's Inaugural Ball (since no alcohol had been served at the first ball); a Telephone Communication Chain was created - one member calling five or ten or more people and each one calling in turn; bumper sticker campaign Alcohol Accelerates Accidents; new slogan of the Maryland WCTU Let the People Know
1958
Two unions reported foreign born women in their communities so the WCTU began giving information out about our country to the foreign born; jails were approved by the Federal Bureau of Prisons with separate detention facilities for juveniles and women; the WCTU urged church members, friends and neighbors to use their privilege as Christian citizens to go to the polls and vote
1959
Alcohol was kept from the county fair; women helped find homes for foster children; worked in Children's Aid; gave lessons to foreign born women in government and the American way of life; taught rug making, drawing, textile painting, picture framing and read to patients at Newton D. Bakers Veterans' Hospital; distributed hundreds of Easter eggs to the armed services; sent good reading materials, cookies and other gifts Christmas to the boys overseas for Christmas
1960
Florence-Lily Youth Temperance Council members marched on Washington to urge the U.S. Supreme Court not to remove prayer and Bible reading from public school; the minutes of the meeting state, The U.S. Supreme Court, convened this month of October, is deliberating on three extremely controversial religious issues. Bible reading in public schools, birth control and Sunday closing laws...these observances have been carried on for many years by the principals and teachers, until the Montgomery County Board of Education received complaints from three parents and Robert N. Rea, President of the Montgomery County Chapter of the Unitarian Fellowship for Social Justice. Is this an 'Open Door' for us in Maryland? Shall we uphold the Christian practice of our founding fathers, or consecrated teachers and principals, or shall we close the door of Bible reading and the Lord's Prayer at the beginning of the school day; the only Bible Reading and prayer many children ever hear. Open the door wide and let us in with Christ's teachings. Pray that the Supreme Court of our nation may be Spiritually guided on this issue; WCTU also worked against the revising of "blue-laws" in Maryland
1961
Urged the strong adherence of enforcement of the motor vehicle driver Under the Influence chemical tests; broadcasted radio programs on the last Sunday of every month; worked to ban the sale of alcohol on air-craft in flight and on trains; distributed hundreds of Bibles; programs given in juvenile jails; donated hours of nursing care; gave Comfort Bags to veterans in hospitals
1962
Sent letters urging the U.S. Government to make known to the American people the harmful effects of cigarette smoking on the human body; worked for the elimination of slot machines
1963
Warned: All of American knows Madelyn Murray's philosophy and how she gets what she wants; she has been quite successful in changing our American Constitution and taking the Lord's Prayer and Bible reading out of our school system. You see what one woman let loose in the world of secularism has done, and Madelyn is not yet through, She is setting up an organization called "Other Americans, Inc." She has been given a 160 acre tract of land in or near Stockton, Kansas, by a former senator from Kansas (also atheist); created a Teapot Fund for charitable projects; sent Comfort Kits to Hong Kong which included hundreds of items, such as, outing squares, pajama tops, bars of soap; Good Neighbor Policy - inviting of foreign neighbors to attend church and WCTU meetings
1964
Prevented liquor from being served in restaurants; letters of disappointment concerning Prayer taken out of public schools sent; served fruit drinks at the Annual State Teachers' Convention
1965
Sent 43 Comfort Kits to Hong Kong; Navaho Indians Project included sending diapers, baby blankets, pajamas, dolls, dresses, baby clothes to American Indians; help to defeat the bill that would have allowed longer phase out time for slot machines in the State of Maryland
1966
Continued sending items to Hong Kong for refugee babies and to Navajo Indians; voiced concern that the way public schools were teaching the subject of sexual relations was causing more harm than good and sounded the warning„ŸIs America at the Crossroads? ... Our schools have been instructed to refrain from teaching our children the power and glory of Prayer. We have successfully defended in court our children's right to ignore the salute to the flag. Groups are hard at work now trying to abolish Christmas and Easter programs in schools - to do away with baccalaureate sermons - to eliminate Thanksgiving Day and Presidential Proclamations; they are even working to remove Chaplains from our Armed Services. Right here i Maryland, the school board voted by a slim one-vote margin, 5 to 4, to keep the word Christmas in the school program. It is fashionable to put a stamp of approval on immorality.
1967
Worked hard to hold the line on more liquor outlets; stopped the lowering of the age to purchase liquor from 21 to 18 years of age; appealed to the legislature to keep the drunken drivers off the highways; protested the suggested sale of miniatures; created the Pepsi-Cola to Vietnam Project„Ÿsent Pepsi-Cola to service men in Vietnam so they would have non-alcohol beverages to drink; curbed the advertisement of alcoholic beverages on radio and TV from 3 pm - 10 pm
1968
Pepsi-Cola to Vietnam Project and also sent Comfort Kits; sounded the warning„Ÿ Liquor over there is cheap and small wonder our boys in service find it easy to launch themselves on the road to problem drinking and eventual alcoholism. Small wonder alcoholism is a major problem in U.S. Veterans Hospitals. The liquor industry takes pride in its shrewdness in developing the Armed Services market. We are involved and we too take pride, in our Pepsi service and pens to OUR BOYS; when President Nixon took office news reports stated that far less liquor was served on Air Force One, so the WCTU urged President Nixon to cease all drinking of alcoholic beverages on Air Force One; bedroom slippers were sent for the patients at Perry Point Hospital; new clothing was sent to Arizona
1969
WON the battle of the Implied Consent Legislation for operator's permits with 6,225 signatures; garments and toys given; holiday gifts were given to shut-ins; art lessons were given at Deer's Head State Hospital; letters were sent to the President and Governor stating concern over the way sex education was being taught in public schools; astronauts were commended for reading the Bible in outer space; worked to restore Bible reading and prayer in public schools; worked with Bookmobiles; continued the Pepsi Project
1970
Jan Moorehead, Director of the Saigon USO, delivers a pallet of free soda to Fire Point Moore, a remote site in the Mekong Delta, on behalf of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union of Maryland. Seated on ground is PFC Arthur E. Grimm, Andrews, Ind. Kneeling at Miss Moorehead's feet is Sp/4 Robert A. Bier, Seattle, Washington. Standing next to sign. opposite Miss Moorehead, is Sp/5 Paul L. Sims, Eau Gallic, Florida.
A letter to the WCTU stated "Over 6,000 servicemen arrived at White Beach, Okinawa, from Vietnam as a result of President Nixon's withdrawal and are most appreciative of your generous donation of Pepsi Cola. Weary from the stress of life in Vietnam and the strain of traveling"...the free "cool Pepsi was a sight for sore eyes."
And at "Cam Ranh Bay on the USO's 29th Birthday the servicemen enjoyed a steak cook-out, a huge birthday cake (served on a door due to its size) and free Pepsi, courtesy of the WCTU".
1971
Worked to stop the passage of HR 7785 which would have allowed manufacture and interstate shipment of candy containing up to 8 1/2% alcohol by volume. This would have permitted children to have access to candy containing 2 1/2 times the alcohol content of beer. Continued our project of sending Pepsi Cola to our "boys in foreign service". Created Sunshine Bags filled with infant wear for teen mothers in special schools.
1972
Worked to prevent State lotteries
1973
Maryland Youth Temperance Council celebrated its 50th Anniversary; Florence Lily YTC members attended hearings and stopped beer from being sold in Montgomery County bowling alleys (it would not be allowed until the late 1990's); bags of cookies were taken to Fort Meade and Walter Reed Hospital at Christmas.
1991
Sent diapers to the victims of hurricane Andrew in Fla. Requested Giant and Safeway stores to post warning signs on the shelves where liquor is sold. Protested the creation of Brew-Pub in Old Town Gaithersburg. Protested the decision to furlough county employees including police officers over Christmas Holidays due to lack of money but wanted to keep county owned liquor stores open. Awarded Free Methodist Christian Retreat Center a White Ribbon Award for over 50 years of stressing family values and abstinence from alcohol. Boycotted Time Warner/Warner Brothers for the song by rap star Ice-T entitled Cop-Killer on his Body County album.
1992
Promoted Christian Family Week. Had a display at the United Methodist Annual Conference. Protested Time Warner/Warner Brothers rap song Cop Killer (by Ice-T) and the Batman Movie. Worked to have McDonald's stop giving out Batman Returns toys because of the boycott. This effort was successful. Protested in front of the new Warner Brothers store in the mall. Called for the resignation of assistant vice president for student affairs for Maryland University due to his comment "No matter how repulsive or repugnant a message may be we defend the constitutional right of freedom of expression" as he defended Time Warner's Ice-T performing on campus. Held speech contests. North Potomac YTC formed. Served punch to police officers at the 3rd Annual Police Competition. Fifteen area police departments participated - approximately 400 police officers.
1993
Continued to participate in the Greater Washington Christian Education Convention. We mailed out petitions to 47 states asking for signatures to support our fight against violence on TV. Vice President Al Gore thanked us for our concern. As in many years past, we continued to participate in making the Great Oaks Festival a success by serving non-alcoholic drinks to the residents and staff. We donated 60 gifts to Great Oaks for Christmas presents for the residents. We joined forces with Citizens Acting for Responsible Education (CARE). Working with CARE and the Catholic church we collected 55,000 signatures from parents asking that abstinence be taught in sex education courses. Worked to keep Outcome-Based Education out of Maryland public schools. Met with nine Executive Directors of Channel 4 and was able to keep condom ads of TV. Held 4 speech contests so we could participate in the Diamond contest at the national convention. Educational campaign informed voters as to the dangers of alcohol use. Created a 53 yard long white ribbon bow which was carried throughout Damascus to draw attention to the issue. Damascus stayed DRY! The 53 yard long white ribbon bow was cut into one yard lengths and every state WCTU was asked to have their members sign it and return the piece to Maryland.
1994
Stopped S.A.F.E. program from being in our schools. This would have taught mentally challenged students totally inappropriate sexual material. The white ribbon bow was sewed back together and welcomed those attending the National WCTU Convention in Frederick, Maryland. ACLU threatened to sue the county if the 10 Commandments were not removed from the Montgomery County Courthouse. Over 200 WCTU women marched to the Rockville Courthouse carrying the white ribbon bow and prayed. The Ten Commandments stayed up. The women then boarded buses and headed to Washington D.C. to rally at the Capitol. Continued our Life Style Bumper Sticker Contest in Havce de Grace. Successful in our efforts to keep condom distribution out of public schools. Fought for alternative abstinence course for students whose parents do not wish their child to be in comprehensive sex education. Able to get "Secrets" (live play) out of schools. Worked with Christian Coalition, Concerned Women of America and other groups to put together and distribute Christian Voter Guides. Ran an educational campaign which resulted in Kensington remaining dry! Created displays with Scripture verses in public libraries. Worked to try to keep alcohol out of the new Bowl America. Worked to keep the health rooms in public schools from becoming full service Health Clinics.
1996
Worked to try to keep "Sexual Orientation" as a protected category out of the Human Relations Policy in the Montgomery County Public Schools. Participated in Alcohol Awareness Month. Encouraged students to participate in See You at the Flag Pole Day to pray for schools. Participated in the performance at Mount Rushmore which included a recreation of women marching to get the vote (75 yrs. ago). Birthday party in remembrance of Frances Willard on September 28th at the US Capitol.
1997
Another successful year for the Bumper Sticker Contest. Created a large display in the Rockville Library honoring Women's History Month entitled White Ribbon Women. Continued our participation in the Greater Washington Christian Education Convention. Maryland's Dolls to China Prayer Project became a national project. Participated in National TV Turn Off Week. Encouraged parents to review their children's textbooks to insure the books are not inappropriate. WCTU asked for the textbook entitled Sociology to be removed from public schools due to inappropriate content. This textbook contained information on Tearoom Trade (homosexual encounters in public bathrooms with strangers) and promoted the homosexual agenda. Montgomery County Public School System refused to remove this book. We thanked Wal-Mart for editing lyrics and art work in the CD's they sell. A WCTU quilt was created for Sligo Middle School. Students signed temperance pledges and signed their names onto the temperance quilt. The quilt was displayed at Drug Free and Safe Schools Celebration, the National WCTU convention, and will hang in Sligo Middle School.
Created Praying for Our Partners (PFOP). The group consists of wives of police officers. We meet in a local tea shop for prayer and friendly conversation. Distributed an educational packet to each Maryland State Legislator on the dangers of marijuana. Attended the National Attention Deficit Disorder Conference. Spoke in elementary school classes for Woman's History Month. Worked with Campaign for Alcohol Free Kids.
1998
Jump Rope Team won three awards at the national level for increased membership. The Ten Commandments were missing from the Rockville Courthouse worked to get them back up. Continued our work against abortion, homosexuality (joined the boycott of Disney), and praised women who are home raising their children. Celebrated National Bible Week by helping to create a display in the Bethesda Regional Library and shared space with the Maryland Coalition Against Pornography. In December, we displayed a collection of Angles and Nativity sets in the Rockville Library. We celebrated the 100th Anniversary of Frances Willard's Heavenly Birthday at the US Capitol. Worked to stop Montage Restaurant (a dinner theater) from opening in Rockville. It is our understand it was to be created for large numbers of homosexuals to frequent. Spoke out against Jack Sturges books being sold at local bookstores. It includes lots of nude photographs of young teens and children. We believe it to be in violation of child porn laws. Worked to keep It's Elementary - Talking About Gay Issues in Schools out of Takoma Park's Piney Brance Elementary School. Worked to keep the Alcohol Unit of the Police Department from being disbanded. Purchased the first WCTU computer.
1999
Nominated MC Police Department for an award given by the National Commission Against Drunk Driving and they won for their efforts to stop underage drinking. Worked with FAS International and promoted Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Day. We promoted the ringing of bells to warn that no amount of alcohol is safe to drink during pregnancy. WCTU worked with Montgomery County Government to create a "historical display" and the Ten Commandments were put back up. Forty-eight of our Cross Steppers Jump Ropers performed in Amherst, New York at the 125th National WCTU Convention and in many other places. WCTU worked to stop the removal of Maryland's sodomy laws (unsuccessful). Worked to stop Gov. Glendening's bill that would have normalized homosexual behavior. Educational campaign to alert parents and college students of deaths from alcohol poisoning. Created the Stop the LIES presentation (Lesbian/gay Indoctrination in Every School). Stopped legislation which would have allowed the sale of alcoholic beverages at the new premiere soccer complex. Participated in national project Church and WCU- Partners in Prevention. White Ribboned the 4th generation of Eva Watkin's family with all 4 generations attending.
2000
Created prayer group "Grandmothers in Touch." Bible study group "The Purpose of Prayer." Participated in Signature Sunday collecting 26,000 signatures to try to stop the Employee Benefits Equity Act of 1999 which gave the same financial benefits to homosexual partners as legally married couples. Victory in Baltimore at the State Board of Education as we kept "sexual orientation" out of the Education that is Multi-Cultural. WCTU was represented on several radio programs. Worked to inform parents that "National Coming Out Day" was being celebrated in public schools. Created Pathways to Purity Program which was presented as part of Pioneer Girls. Cross Steppers Jump Rope Team continued to grow. Participated in Bible Week. Promoted Truth Without Interruption Day which was created by Bunny Galladora (in 1999) in response to the homosexual Day of Silence Project. Participated in Town Hall Meeting on Alcohol Licensing Policies. Educational campaign to Keep Damascus Dry (won AGAIN!). Spoke at press conference on Internet Pornography on Capitol Hill. Entire speech was played on Christian radio.
2001
Work to stop homosexuals from gaining special rights in State law. Continued Truth Without Interruption Day. Alerted parents of the celebration of 420,4/20 Stoners' New Years - a Celebration of Personal Freedom, a day when students skip school and stay home to smoke marijuana. Worked to change alcohol licensing policies in Montgomery County. Supported the Boy Scouts in their effort to be allowed to meet in public schools and government owned buildings. Boy Scouts was declared a "hate group" because they do not allow homosexual men to be leaders.
2002
We continue to work against slot machines and expansion of gambling in Maryland. We are continuing to work to protect the legal definition of marriage as "between one man and one woman." Participated in the national project to stop alcohol use on college campus. Participated in the Underage Drinking and Drug Prevention Task Force. Continuing to promote Truth Without Interruption Day.
2004
Continued to have an exhibit at the Greater Washington Christian Education Association. Participated in the Women's Business Expo at Hagerstown Community College. Rented billboards for our anti-drug messages. Served on the Frederick County Underage Drinking Prevention Task Force. Held coloring contests. Sent candy canes to each sailor onboard the USS Detroit with Christmas greetings. "Adopted" the 29th Division National Guard while they are in Iraq. Collected 300 lbs. of items and sent them. Attended Maryland Gov. Erlick's Christmas gathering at the Government House. Assisted in the development of a new book entitled Patriotic Prayers-Blessings of Liberty which is being written by one of our members. Continued prayer times. Served on the planning committee of the National Temperance and Prohibition Council and worked toward the development of a documentary on Prohibition. Donated eye glasses to the Lion's Club. Fought against partial birth abortion and pornography. Worked for a Federal Marriage Amendment and Life at Conception Act. Promoted Christian Family Week. Gave out drug education flyers on Halloween to Trick or Treaters. Donated cards for the Commission on Aging, Campbell Soup labels for the Board of Child Care of the United Methodist Church.
2005
Continuing our efforts to improve Health education in public schools. Promoting Truth Without Interruption Day. Giving support to the Children's Inn at National Institute of Health. Assisting in the planning of the 100th Anniversary of the Acceptance of the Frances Willard Statue into the US Capitol. Helping natural disaster victims around the world by creating and sending Crisis Care Kits.
2006
Started the year by creating and sending cards to US troops for St. Valentine's Day. Virginia Hershman began a Singing Birthday Ministry. Concerned about the rising cost of cards and postage, she telephones people on the church list of birthdays for the month and sings to them. New National WCTU project that started in Maryland - http://www.facethetears.org. Continued our work to stop the homosexual agenda in Maryland schools. Work for the Defense of Marriage Constitutional Admendment on the state level. First website created for the WCTU of Maryland. New improved version of Truth Without Interruption Day website created. At the 2006 National WCTU, Maryland State President Bunny S. Galladora was nominated for President of the National WCTU, however, Mrs. Rita Kaye Wert was voted in as National WCTU President. It was an honor for the Maryland State President to be nominated.
2007
Maryland held coloring and poster contests. We joined with other groups to help pass Jessica's Law in Maryland and we worked to stop legislation that would have legalized slot machines in Maryland. Letters and information useful for school administrators regarding the rights of students and teachers to teach, learn and/or participate in religious observances were sent out to 250 school Principals.
A hugh Easter basket and many gifts (stuffed animals, playing cards, toy boats, Hot Wheels, puzzles, etc.) were given to the 59 current families at The Children's Inn at NIH (National Institute of Health).
We were busy working on our entries to the World WCTU Convention which was held in September 2007. We are busy collecting handkerchiefs and stories so please keep them coming in for our www.facethetears.orgproject!
Congratulations to Bunny S. Galladora. She won the 3rd Place Award in the World Woman's Christian Temperance Union's contest for her PowerPoint presentation "Your Life-Your Responsibiliity."
2008
Maryland WCTU has been working with Citizens for Responsible Government (CRG) collecting signatures so that the citizens of Montgomery County can vote on whether or not to add transgender persons as a protected class to the non-discrimination law. This law if passed would allow men to use the ladies' bathrooms and locker rooms, and women to use the men's bathrooms and locker rooms.
We continue our efforts to educate the public on the gambling issue which will be on the November ballot.
2010
Maryland worked along with other groups to strengthen child molestation laws (commonly known as Jessica's Law).
Working with other pro-family groups, we were able to stop the passage of a state law that would have allowed men to use the ladies' bathrooms and locker rooms. WCTU believes this law, if passed, would take away the privacy women and girls deserve.
We sent cooking utensils, including knives, cutting boards, and cooking pots to missionaries Maggie and Jim Brewer. Maggie and Jim are using these items to teach women in Kenya to cook.
We sent sewing supplies to Honduras. Missionaries there are teaching women to sew in hopes they can earn money to support their families. We also sent toys and musical instruments to Honduras for use during Bible club.
Baby Care Kits were sent to Honduras for the mothers with new born babies. It was reported to us that some mothers tear off a piece of their skirt to wrap their baby in when they leave the hospital. Our kits contained: cloth diapers and safety pins, baby wipes, receiving blankets, toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, shampoo, hair brush sets, and other personal care items for mother and baby. Also requested and sent: lice shampoo, ace bandages, Band-Aids, hand crank flashlights, etc.
Crisis Care Kits were created and sent to be used in Haiti. Two-gallon Zip-loc bags were filled, each contained: 2 bars of bath soap, a Beanie Baby, large box of Band-Aids, a pair of fingernail clippers, 2 hand towels, 4 packets of tissues, a large bottle of shampoo, 3 toothbrushes, and large size toothpaste.
A large Easter basket containing 30 stuffed animals, Easter eggs, and a large asortment of Easter candies was given to the Abused Persons Center in Rockville, Maryland.
LTL held their annual Bake and Soup Sale and raised over $350 for a family in CASA.
They had their annual Pool Party/Fruesta and the coloring contest.
It was a privilege to participate at the World WCTU convention in Norway. We were able to learn about so many needs from WCTU women around the world. Our prayers continue to go out to our sisters who are in need and/or in danger around the world.
