On February 26,1946, during inter-club curling at Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, it was suggested a national women's curling association be formed. The idea was enthusiastically received. An appointed committee framed a constitution which was presented to representatives of the five founding clubs - Appleton, Exmoor, Indian Hill, Skokie and Wauwatosa - in October, 1947. The constitution was adopted and the USWCA was founded. The USWCA presently consists of 82 clubs with a membership of 4,668.
The first National Bonspiel was held at Wauwatosa in 1949. The USWCA is divided into four regions - East, Central, Wisconsin and West. The National Bonspiel has rotated annually among these four regions ever since.
Constitutional and policy changes initiated in 1986 have been responsible for major changes in the curling organizations in this country. The USWCA, which organized and sponsored the first US Women's Championship in 1977, turned over this responsibility, and ICF representation, to the USCA, which now organizes all curling in the US leading to national, world championship and Olympic play.
The USWCA now focuses their attention on their national bonspiels (National and Senior National), their Junior National Bonspiel, the All American (country-wide 'in club' events), their 5 Year and Under (regional events), and the two ladies' tours between both Scotland and Canada with the United States. The first Scot Tour occurred in 1955 and the first United States sponsored Canadian/US Senior Friendship Tour occurred in 1990.
The USWCA is the oldest national curling organization in the United States. Here you will find our official Articles of Incorporation. The USWCA Board of Directors consists of one representative from each club, plus officers and committee chairs, who meet semi-annually. The USWCA operates in cooperation with the USCA to "promote and conserve the best interests of the game of curling throughout the US; to cultivate friendly relations among its member clubs; to preserve the traditions and literature of the game and to promote international friendship" as a part of its purpose.
To learn more about the first 50 years of the USWCA, go to the 50th Anniversary page.
To find out what will be happening to celebrate the upcoming 75th Anniversary, go to the 75th Anniversary page.