In order to understand the historical significance you find here and for less confusion, you need to understand that United Methodisim as we know it today, is the product of divisions then reunifications and mergers of several (8) denominations.

Those which we will be discussing here are:

1749-1939 Methodist Episcopal
1829-1939 Methodist Protestant
1844-1939 Methodist Episcopal South
1800-1946 United Brethren in Christ
1803-1922 Evangelical Association
1891-1922 United Evangelical
1922-1946 Evangelical
1939-1968 Methodist
1968-Present United Methodist

Although the United Methodist Women, as we know it today, has evolved through many divisions/mergers and reunifications, as well as name changes, and structural changes through the years, the Purpose has remained the same.

That being said, because of the length of the history, and the inclusion of formations of the various denominations, I have broken the historical timeline into segments of eras. Please click on the era you would like to read about. Thank you!