CWU has always "signed on" to action letters and proposals sent to Congress and the United Nations as a way of expressing our mission statement and movement goals. Released with the signature of a National Board member, we indicate our agreement and support of the proposals/positions of other ecumenical, interfaith, and social justice agencies and organizations.

Recent sign-ons:

April 2009 – Letter to Secretary of State Hillary R. Clinton urging the United States voice its willingness to support and cooperate with the International Criminal Court (ICC). Despite arrest warrants issued by the Court against Omar Al-Bashir, the president of Sudan, he has freely traveled to Eritrea, Libya, Egypt and most recently to Doha, Qatar for the Arab League Meeting.

March 2009 – Letter to Congress regarding entitled: Interfaith Statement on Child Nutrition Reauthorization 2009. A strong Child Nutrition Reauthorization in 2009 can enhance the lives of millions of children by promoting healthy development and improving educational outcomes. Critical new investments in these programs will put us on track to ending child hunger by 2015. We urge you to advocate for these and other policy provisions that would increase access to and participation in child nutrition programs so that all of America's children have the food they need.

February 2009 – Letter to Senators and Representatives concerning the International Violence Against Womenís Act. The letter urges support for the act and describes the need for it throughout the world. “One out of every three women worldwide will be physically, sexually or otherwise abused during her life time, with rates reaching 70 per cent in some countries....” It originates with the WFDAóWomen Faith and Development Alliance. It is signed by many faith communities.

January 2009 – Statement submitted to the Secretary General of the United Nations for the Commission on the Status of Women, 53rd Session, outlining faith-based responses to gender inequality, care giving and HIV. “We affirm our belief that both women and men are created in God's image (Genesis 1:27). It is not enough to recognize that the face of AIDS is becoming younger, poorer and more female. We must meet the need where it exists, both at the bedside of the person who is ill, and the woman at his side. Together as partners we can create a world where all may have life, and have it abundantly,” Ecumenical Women of the United Nations.

January 2009 – Letter to Members of Congress: “Women's Organizations Support Pay Equity Legislation”. It urged immediate enactment of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act and the Paycheck Fairness Act. (as you know, the former was signed into law by President Obama this winter).

January 2009 – Letter to President-Elect Obama (right before the inauguration) concerning the stimulus package which was being developed at that time. It listed specific needs to be addressed in the package which would help lift people out of poverty. This letter originated with the Domestic Human Needs Working Group which is a group of faith communities from the Washington Interreligious Staff Community. CWU is a member of both.

December 2008 – Letter to President-Elect Obama congratulating him on his election and introducing Faith United Against Tobacco (FUAT) (a national coalition of over 25 diverse faith communities). It also mentions that in the new year FUAT will be working with him on getting FDA regulation of tobacco products.

November 2008 – Letter to Members of Congress expressing concern about legislative proposals that threaten access to essential public services for immigrants and citizens. This letter originates with the National Immigration Law Center and the Coalition on Human Needs. (CWU is a contributing member of the latter).

Between July 2007 and July 2008, Church Women United "signed-on" to 20 different documents. The documents CWU signed-onto during this period can be loosely organized into the following categories:

1. Health and Welfare (8)

• Tobacco Control
• State Childrenís Health Insurance Program
• Economic Stimulus Package

  January 2008, Faith United Against Tobacco
  A letter was sent to all state governors urging full funding for a comprehensive tobacco prevention program.

2. U.S. Budget Priorities (3)

These letters implored Congress to craft a federal budget which promotes the general welfare and cares adequately for the poor and vulnerable. There is also a call for the ìredirection of excessive Pentagon spending to human needsî

3. Foreign Policy (5)

• Adequate funding for the United Nations
• Fulfillment of US commitments to UN peacekeeping.
• An end to sanctioning nations which have ratified the ICC

  March 2008, American Friends Service Committee
  The New Roadmap for U.S. Engagement with the World. Five central principles to guide recommended changes in U.S. foreign policy approach. These principles emphasize diplomacy and aid and the New RoadmapÖ is addressed to 2008 U.S. candidates for President and Congress.

4. Justice for Youth (2)

• The protection of children and youth in the justice system.

5. Other (2)

• A letter of support for the Indian Health Care Improvement Act
• A letter urging improvement of Campus Hate Crime Data Collection