Helen Kim

Helen Kim (also Kim Hwal-lan; ; 1899–1970) was a South Korean politician, educator, social activist, and feminist. Her art name was Wuwol . Kim was the founder of the World Federation of Methodist and Uniting Church Women (WFMUCW), and the daily Korean newspaper, The Korea Times.

Biography Kim was born in Incheon to a large, modern family. She attended Christian schools as a girl. She attended Ewha Girls School. Between graduating from Ewha, she "established the national YWCA Korea" in 1922. Then she went to Wesleyan College where she earned her bachelor's degree in 1924. At the time of her death, it was the largest women's university in the world.

Kim was involved with Kŭnwuhwoe, which was a national women's organization that was dedicated to ending the "remaining Korean feudal practices and beliefs as well as colonial constraints."

On 26 October 1939, the original Charter of Assent for the World Federation of Methodist and Uniting Church Women (WFMUCW), then called the World Federation of Methodist Women, was signed by 27 countries in Pasadena, California, USA. This was a project begun by Kim in 1923. This committee worked with the United States in the Education Bureau, making recommendations about schools and their staff. She chose the name of the paper, deciding that The Korea Times was the best name for representing the whole country. Kim herself justified her actions as "necessary in order to keep Ewha open under harsh colonial policies" and could also be seen as consistent with Methodist Church teachings (Kim's religion). The aim of the WFMUCW is stated on their website:

"The World Federation of Methodist and Uniting Church Women (WFMUCW) seeks to aid in establishing Christ's Kingdom among all peoples and in all areas of life; to share the abundant life of Christ through evangelism, healing ministries, education and social services: to assist in the promotion of mission outreach throughout the world: to seek with women of all continents, fellowship and mutual help in the building of a Christian community, and to develop bonding links and partnership with women of other Christian Churches, ecumenical bodies, and the United Nations in promoting peace and justice."

Kim first proposed her vision of a world-wide Methodist organisation for women in 1923. The first meeting to plan the formation of what was to be called the World Federation of Methodist Women took place in 1929. The first Charter of Assent was signed by 27 countries on October 26, 1939 in Pasadena, California, USA.

The WFMUCW held an assembly in Kansas, USA during the 1944-48 term, where the first President, Mrs Evelyn Riley Nicholson, was elected.

In 1954, the WFMUCW became affiliated with the World Methodist Council.

On 17 February 1983, the WFMUCW became a non-governmental organisation (NGO) with the United Nations.

In 1996, an assembly was held in Rio de Janeiro, at which the name was officially changed from the World Federation of Methodist Women to the World Federation of Methodist and Uniting Church Women.

In 2011, the WFMUCW celebrated the 100th anniversary of Ehwa College where Kim had been dean by developing the Helen Kim Memorial Scholarship, a five-year leadership development program for young Methodist and Uniting women.