Series 6 - Manitoba Women in Mission

Although the name "Manitoba Mennonite Women in Mission" was adopted in 1976, the history of this organization traces back much further.

The first Mennonite women's charitable organization began in Gretna in 1889. By 1892 they had adopted the name Wohltätigkeitsverein (benevolent society). They sewed articles for poor, local families, supported the Gretna school (Mennonite Collegiate Institute) and supported missions. The group's name later changed to Gretna First Mennonite Mission Aid. This was the only women's group tracing its beginning prior to the 1920s, that related to the 1990s Manitoba Women in Mission.

In 1942 Mennonite women from all over Manitoba chose to honour the memory of Margarethe Toews (wife of David Toews) through an annual scholarship the Gretna school. In 1944, the women officially organized the Manitoba Provincial Women's Conference. By the time the scholarship was discontinued in 1977, 20 girls had benefited from this scholarship. From this first project, the women's efforts multiplied and they continued to contribute to various Mennonite organizations locally as well as globally. It was in this way that the women's conference became an important part of the Conference of Mennonites in Manitoba.

It was through the Women's Mission Association that the voices of Mennonite women in Manitoba were heard at the Conference level. The first report was heard from the newly renamed Manitoba Women's Mission Association at the conference in 1971 and by 1973 they had two members on the Missions and Service Committee. In 1976 they changed their name to Manitoba Women in Mission.

During the 1980s and 1990s many women became more involved in the workplace and had less time for women's groups. In some congregations interest in women's groups dwindled, in others it was encouraged and strengthened. However women were also holding more positions in more areas of the church and conference. Women in Mission was no longer the only voice of women in the congregation as the opportunities to speak up on conference committees and at delegate sessions grew.

Presidents were:
-1971-1973 Justina Baerg
-1971-1974 Kathleen Driedger
-1975-1981 Anita Froese
-1981-1984 Helen Hildebrand
-1984-1985 Phyllis Wiebe
-1985-1989 Hedy Dyck
-1989-1991 Helga Froese
-1991-1992 Helen Friesen (Treasurer)
-1992-1994 Katherine Bergen
-1994-1999 Jolanda Friesen