The WCTU's 'Do Everything' Policy: Beyond Temperance

How the Women's Christian Temperance Union broadened its reform agenda from just alcohol to nearly every social issue impacting women and children.

By Garret Merkley · Explainer · Jun 5, 2026

Branched from The Women's Christian Temperance Union: Its Rise and Lasting Impact

Quick take

The 'Do Everything' policy expanded the WCTU's focus beyond alcohol prohibition to address related social problems.
Under Frances Willard, the WCTU pursued a wide range of reforms, from women's suffrage to public health.
It was a strategic recognition that societal issues are interconnected, requiring a holistic approach.
This policy transformed the WCTU into a powerful force for social change and women's empowerment in the late 19th century.

The 'Do Everything' policy was the strategic approach adopted by the Women's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) in the late 19th century, primarily under the leadership of Frances Willard. It meant that to effectively combat the harms of alcohol, the organization needed to address all related societal problems that contributed to or were exacerbated by alcohol abuse. This expanded the WCTU's mission far beyond simple prohibition, turning it into a broad-based social reform movement.

From Temperance to Total Reform

Initially, the WCTU's primary goal was to eradicate alcohol consumption through legal prohibition. However, Frances Willard, who became president in 1879, argued that focusing solely on the bottle was insufficient. She believed that alcohol abuse was a symptom of deeper societal ills, and to truly achieve temperance, the WCTU needed to tackle the root causes and interconnected issues. Her philosophy was that 'everything is the WCTU's business,' meaning any issue affecting the home, women, or children was fair game for advocacy.

This shift led the WCTU to establish numerous departments, each dedicated to a specific reform. Their agenda grew to include advocating for women's right to vote (suffrage), believing that women needed political power to enact temperance laws and protect their families. They also pushed for child labor laws, prison reform, public health initiatives like pure food and drug legislation, compulsory education, kindergartens, and even promoted physical activity like bicycling as a wholesome alternative to saloon culture. This holistic approach recognized that poverty, lack of education, unsafe working conditions, and political disempowerment all played a role in societal well-being.

The 'Do Everything' policy was revolutionary because it demonstrated an early understanding of how various social issues are interconnected, a concept often referred to today as intersectionality. By addressing a wide array of problems, the WCTU transformed itself into one of the largest and most influential women's organizations of its time, providing a platform for women to engage in public life and advocate for systemic change long before they had the right to vote. Its legacy is seen in many modern social justice movements that understand the necessity of broad, systemic reform rather than just targeting single issues.

Beyond the Bottle: What 'Everything' Meant

**Women's Suffrage:** Advocating for women's right to vote to influence policy.
**Child Labor Laws:** Protecting children from exploitation and ensuring their education.
**Public Health:** Pushing for clean water, sanitation, and pure food and drug standards.
**Prison Reform:** Seeking more humane conditions and rehabilitation for incarcerated individuals.
**Education Reform:** Promoting kindergartens and compulsory schooling.
**Social Purity:** Campaigning against prostitution and advocating for higher moral standards.
**Labor Rights:** Supporting fair wages and safer working conditions.

Who was Frances Willard and what was her role in the 'Do Everything' policy?

Frances Willard was a prominent American temperance leader and women's rights advocate. As president of the WCTU from 1879 to 1898, she was the driving force behind the 'Do Everything' policy, arguing that temperance could only be achieved by addressing the broader social and political issues that affected women and families.

Did the 'Do Everything' policy dilute the WCTU's temperance efforts?

While it broadened their focus, the WCTU viewed these other reforms as essential to achieving their ultimate temperance goals. They believed that by improving society in general, they would create an environment where alcohol abuse would naturally diminish. It was seen as a strategic expansion, not a dilution.

Was the 'Do Everything' policy successful?

Yes, it was remarkably successful in expanding the WCTU's influence and achieving numerous reforms. The WCTU became a powerful voice for women and children, contributing significantly to the women's suffrage movement, the passage of pure food and drug laws, and various educational and labor reforms. It also empowered countless women to become active in public life.

How did this policy empower women?

The 'Do Everything' policy provided women with an organized structure and a legitimate platform to engage in public discourse and political action at a time when their roles were largely confined to the domestic sphere. It trained women in public speaking, lobbying, and organizational management, giving them a collective voice and agency to advocate for their interests and those of their communities.

Are there modern parallels to this approach?

Absolutely. Many contemporary social justice movements adopt a similar holistic approach, recognizing that issues like poverty, racial inequality, environmental justice, and healthcare are interconnected. Activists today often work on multiple fronts, understanding that true systemic change requires addressing a wide range of underlying causes.