Advocacy Committee for Women's Concerns

A General Assembly mandated committee advocating on behalf of women within the church and throughout the world

The Advocacy Committee for Women’s Concerns (ACWC) is called to its work in a world where women experience injustice and oppression because of their gender.  As Presbyterians, we claim a communal faith in “God [who] liberated the people of Israel from oppression … [and] covenanted with Israel … that they might do justice” (Book of Order, G-3.010b.).  The church is motivated by the painful recognition of sexism, and has explicitly articulated in the Articles of Agreement (Section 5.6) its commitment to work against gender-based discrimination. The Advocacy Committee for Women’s Concerns is the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s contemporary fulfillment of this historic commitment. Learn more about ACWC.

Response to the tragic death of Dr. George Tiller

The members of the Advocacy Committee for Women’s Concerns wish to express their deep sadness over the recent murder of Dr. George Tiller. As a provider committed to offering safe reproductive health care services to women, including tremendously difficult yet sometimes necessary late-term pregnancy terminations, Dr. Tiller provided care essential to the health and well-being of countless women. Keep reading.

Courtney Hoekstra chosen to support the Advocacy Committee for Women’s Concerns

The office of the executive administrator is pleased to announce the addition of Courtney Hoekstra to the executive director’s staff effective February 17, 2009, supporting the Advocacy Committee for Women’s Concerns.  Learn more.

Since the 218th General Assembly

ACWC brings items of business to the General Assembly that attend to gender justice and highlight the significance of issues facing women within the church and throughout the world.  Members of the committee attend the Assembly to support its work and to serve as resource persons for business before the General Assembly (GA).  

• Study immigration detention in the United States ;
• Expand the Church’s Ministry with Advocacy Against Human Trafficking ; and
• Explore the Study of the Status of Women at All Levels in the PC(USA)

Highlights of ACWC March 2009 Meeting

The Advocacy Committee for Women’s Concerns met at the Presbyterian United Nations Office in New York, March 13-16, 2009.  Read more.

Get involved — read with us

The Advocacy Committee for Women’s Concerns invites you to, “… add to your faith, goodness; and to goodness, knowledge” ( 2 Peter 1:5).  Effective advocacy requires an accurate awareness of the facts involved and a firm grasp of the complex dynamics of an issue.  ACWC encourages us all to increase our understanding of women’s concerns and then work to have our faithful voices heard. You can begin with reading a book.

We're reading Saving Paradise: How Christianity Traded Love of This World For Crucifixion and Empire, by Rita Nakashima Brock and Rebecca Ann Parker. Read a review by the Rev. Terry Alexander.