The First Woman's National Temperance Convention was a founding event in the establishment of the American Woman's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU).
In November, 1874, a Woman's National Temperance Convention was held in Cleveland, Ohio, at which Jennie Fowler Willing presided, and to whose efforts this national organization is chiefly due. At this convention a constitution was adopted, and a plan of organization projected, which was to reach every city, town, and hamlet in the United States. Appeals to the women and girls of America, a letter to other countries, and a memorial to Congress, were in order. A national temperance paper, to be edited and published by women, was projected, whose financial basis was US$ per week, to be given by all the members of the Union. A special committee was appointed on temperance work, among the children. 
The permanent officers of the society then organized were, Annie Turner Wittenmyer, President; Frances Willard, Corresponding Secretary; Mary Coffin Johnson, Recording Secretary; Mary Bigelow Ingham, Treasurer; with one vice-president from each of the States represented in the convention. The spirit of this assembly was shown in the closing resolutions adopted.
Background.
In the spring of 1874, the women who had been crusading in half a dozen States, notably in Ohio, Indiana, and Pennsylvania, called a convention for consultation, which resulted in State Temperance Leagues. The name was, however, soon changed to “Union," the latter word better emphasizing the non-sectarian spirit of the Women's Crusade.
The idea of holding a national convention was formed during the "Chautauqua Lake Sunday School Assembly" in August 1874, at Miller Park, Chautauqua Lake, New York. There were 2,000–3,000 people in attendance at this assembly, including the wives of Methodist clergymen. While the women held a prayer meeting, Martha McClellan Brown came up with the idea of holding a temperance convention as she knelt in prayer next to Mrs. Russell, of Chicago, at Dr. John H. Vincent's camp-meeting. After bringing the idea before the prayer-meeting, prominent women, encouraged by men, moved forward in getting it before the women of the United States. Jennie Fowler Willing and Emily Huntington Miller were appointed to send out the invitations. Martha McClellan Brown, who became known as the "prime mover," and Mary Bigelow Ingham combined their efforts with those of Jennie Fowler Willing and Emily Huntington Miller. With temperance women from all over the U.S. embracing the idea, state conventions were held and delegates were appointed.
Representative gathering.
The convention took place in the auditorium of Cleveland's Presbyterian church. This was a representative gathering, not only numerically and geographically, but in respect to character and to achievement. Judith Ellen Foster, a lawyer from Iowa, served as chief of the Committee on Constitution, to set the attendees right on legal points in general. Dr. Harriet Schneider French, a physician of Philadelphia, spoke about the relation of alcohol to medicine. There were three or four editors, a large quantity of teachers, two college professors, and Quaker ministers who wore dove-colored bonnets. Besides these, there were three licensed Methodist preachers, business women, and gray-haired matrons.
Committees.
Conference committee on temporary organization.
The convention was called to order by Jennie Fowler Willing. The attendees were seated in delegations, according to their States and Congressional Districts, this being the most approved method by the attendees. They chose a committee on temporary organization, with one member from each State, which reported the following list of officers of the convention: 
These women were duly elected. Some discussion arose as to the rights of those who had not brought credentials, but a resolution, offered by Annie Turner Wittenmyer settled the question: "Retained, That the several State delegates be allowed to add to their number from representatives from each State, to the number of Congressional Districts in that State."
Others.
After the committee on temporary organization was formed, the convention addressed itself to business and developed a list of committees indicating its general character: 
Resolutions.
Resolutions were adopted, embodying a sufficiently exhaustive "confession of faith": 
Whereas, Much of the evil by which this country is cursed comes from the fact that the men in power whose duty it is to make and administer the laws are either themselves intemperate men or controlled largely by the liquor power; therefore,
Constitution and election of officers.
A constitution was adopted and stated in part that this Association shall be known as the "Woman's National Christian Temperance Union." Thereafter, an election was held for the first officers of the WCTU. The newly elected officers were: 
Mass meetings.
Four mass-meetings were held during the convention. Dr. John Morgan Walden (Chief Knight of the new Crusade), presided at the first of these. It was an exceptional honor as no other man was allowed to speak throughout the whole convention. Abbie Fisher Leavitt conducted the second; Mrs. Dr. Donaldson, of Toledo, Ohio conducted the third; and Auretta Hoyt, carried on the fourth. Crowds filled these meetings, and Crusade hymns were interspersed with the music furnished by trained singers of Cleveland.
Notable people.
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References.
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