About Us
How We're Helping
The Charleston Woman’s Improvement League, Incorporated, also known as CWIL, is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization with a one hundred and twenty year history of giving back to the community.
The CWIL owes its existence to nine prominent African American women who came together on January 20, 1898 in Charleston, West Virginia to form a club. The all-female organization provided opportunities for leadership that were not always available to them in the larger community. The members were committed to improving the social, cultural, educational and civic life of African Americans in the Kanawha Valley. The singular term “woman’s” was used in the early naming of the organization to emphasize not only group involvement, but also the individual obligation that each woman had to personal and civic involvement.
After six years of obscurity, CWIL reorganized in 2012 and invited women of all ages, ethnicities, interests and professions to join.
Our Founders - Get Involved
Are you passionate about what we're doing? Let us know! We are always looking for new members to help us make our vision a reality. We'll help you find a way to participate that best suits you. We're excited to have you join our team!
Members of the Charleston Woman’s Improvement League in 1928. From the left, they are, seated, Mary Clark, Rebecca Bullard, Flora Webster Brooks, Ruth S. Norman, Jane Spaulding, Karolyn Franklin, Florence Gordan, Leota Claire, Nancy Carper, and Ethel Davis; standing in the second row are, from the left, Mary Kimbrough, Cornella Wright, Lucenda Sanders, Hattie Clark, Vera Ford Powell, Carrie James Crichlow, E.A. McGhee, Lizzie Hopkins, Maude Wanzer, Inez Hall, Josephine Moore, Mary Carper Gray, and Ida Page; standing in the back row, from the left, are Flora Gardner, Nan Lou Stephenson, Sarah Bullard, Nina C. Gamble, Amy Hopkins, and Maude Clark Peters.
CWIL 2012 Reorganization
Members of the Charleston Woman’s Improvement League in 2012
Front row, from the left: Donna Campbell, Barbara Lacy, Estella McCain, Vicky Mosley, Versie Hill, Twana White; second row, from the left: Natalie Harris, Thelma Hughes, Rosalind Felder, Minnie Jones, Deborah Morris, Deborah Staples and Tootsie Coleman (not pictured).
We continue to evolve and support the values of our our founding members.
Pictured: Twana White and Donna Campbell-Walker
Lifting As We Climb
Thelma McDaniel Technical Scholarship
Thelma McDaniel Technical Scholarship
Mrs. Thelma Lee White McDaniel, educator and community leader. Mrs. McDaniel lived a relatively carefree life until the untimely death of her father. To support her mother, she took on the sobering task of managing the household and caring for her brothers and sister. In spite of these responsibilities, Thelma managed to graduate from Garnet High School near the top of her class and went on to acquire a degree in elementary education from West Virginia State College (University), and a Masters degree from Marshall University. After graduation, she took a position with the Kanawha County Public School System where she remained a highly regarded elementary school teacher who touched many lives during her forty year career.
Because service to the community was a mainstay in her life, Thelma accepted leadership positions in several Charleston organizations. She was one of the founders of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority's graduate chapter, Beta Beta Omega and served as its president in the late 1960s and early '70s.
Thelma was also a devoted member and ardent supporter of the Charleston Woman's Improvement League. While a member, she co-founded the Polly Pigtail Club in Themis '50s and the League Teens in the early'60s. She also served as the organization's president in the 1980s.
Thelma was a lifelong member of First Baptist Church and an affiliate of the Sanctuary Choir for more than 60 years.
What We Do in the Community
Our Mission
Our Mission
Our Mission
The Charleston Woman’s Improvement League is committed in giving career and technical scholarships, providing philanthropic support to communities and donating to worthy causes.
Our Motto
Our Mission
Our Mission
Our motto, “Lifting as We Climb” suggests as we advance, we should help others to do likewise.
Our Vision
Our Mission
Our Vision is to be a recognized leader among women’s organizations that equips, empowers and enriches the lives of women through educational, cultural and philanthropic activities.
Share Our Passion
Women who join our organization, share a passion to help young girls and women who are looking for mentors who will take them to the next level in becoming a success in life.
2019 CWIL 4 Year College Scholarship
2019 CWIL 4 Year College Scholarship
Congratulations to Lacaya Cyrus, who was awarded with our $1,000.00 2019 CWIL College Academic Scholarship. Lacaya was given this amount for this year.
2019 CWIL 4 Year College Scholarship
2019 CWIL 4 Year College Scholarship
Congratulations to Lacaya Cyrus, who was awarded with our $1,000.00 2019 CWIL College Academic Scholarship. Shown here with our CWIL Members. CWIL President, Natasha Tyson in blue blouse. Lacaya was given this amount for this year.
Thelma McDaniel Technical Scholarship
2019 Thelma McDaniel Technical Scholarship
Destana' Mason was awarded our $1,000.00 Thelma McDaniel Technical Scholarship for 2019. Destana' was given this amount for this year.
2019 Thelma McDaniel Technical Scholarship
Destana' Mason was awarded our $1,000.00 Thelma McDaniel Technical Scholarship for 2019. Destana' was given this amount for this year. She is seen here with our CWIL Scholarship Committee Chairwoman, Shanna Phillips.
CWIL at Black Panther Movie
We Sponsored 100 Teens
We share the news about our organization and all the things that we are doing for young girls in our community and surrounding areas. Whether they are in middle, high school, college or dropouts; we are here to help them.
We sponsored 100 teens to attend the Black Panther Movie at Park Place Stadium Cinema in Charleston, WV. They receive a free ticket, free popcorn and a free drink, and we also gave away Black Panther figurines to a few who had the winning tickets.
We Sponsored 100 Teens
We share the news about our organization and all the things that we are doing for young girls in our community and surrounding areas. Whether they are in middle, high school, college or dropouts; we are here to help them.
We sponsored 100 teens to attend the Black Panther Movie at Park Place Stadium Cinema in Charleston, WV. They receive a free ticket, free popcorn and a free drink, and we also gave away Black Panther figurines to a few who had the winning tickets.
We Gave Away Black Panther Figurines
We share the news about our organization and all the things that we are doing for young girls in our community and surrounding areas. Whether they are in middle, high school, college or dropouts; we are here to help them.
We sponsored 100 teens to attend the Black Panther Movie at Park Place Stadium Cinema in Charleston, WV. They receive a free ticket, free popcorn and a free drink, and we also gave away Black Panther figurines to a few who had the winning tickets.