Woman's Christian Temperance Union

a national organization of women designed to promote temperance and other work, known for short as the W. C. T. U. The organization was effected in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1874. There are branches in every state and territory, embracing 10,000 local unions and possibly half a million members. Much has been done to guard minors by salutary laws and to promote temperance legislation. National headquarters are maintained at Evanston, Illinois. In 1883 a world organization was formed, largely through the influence of Frances E. Willard. There are auxiliaries in over fifty countries. A white ribbon is the W. C. T. U. badge the world over. See Willard; Frances E