How the 'Do Everything' Policy Expanded the WCTU's Influence

Learn how the Woman's Christian Temperance Union broadened its scope beyond alcohol to become a formidable social and political force.

By Garret Merkley · Explainer · Jun 12, 2026

Branched from How the Woman's Christian Temperance Union Became a Political Force

Quick take

The 'Do Everything Policy' was the WCTU's strategy to tackle a wide range of social issues, not just temperance.
Led by Frances Willard, it interconnected alcohol abuse with poverty, women's rights, and public health, among others.
This broad agenda attracted more members and allies, significantly expanding the WCTU's influence and reach.
It transformed the WCTU into a powerful, multi-faceted organization and a key player in late 19th-century social reform.

The 'Do Everything Policy' was a strategic approach adopted by the Woman's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) in the late 19th century under the leadership of Frances Willard. It meant expanding the organization's mission far beyond its initial focus on alcohol prohibition to address a broad spectrum of social problems, believing all societal ills were interconnected and required a holistic solution.

Broadening the Reform Agenda

Prior to this policy, the WCTU primarily campaigned against alcohol. Willard, however, argued that alcohol abuse was often a symptom of deeper societal injustices and hardships. She posited that to truly achieve temperance, one must also address the root causes and contributing factors. This led the WCTU to embrace a vast array of reforms, including women's suffrage, prison reform, child labor laws, public health initiatives, peace advocacy, and even raising the age of consent for girls.

Interconnectedness and Mobilization

The core idea was that issues like poverty, lack of education, and unequal rights for women directly contributed to social instability, which in turn fueled alcohol abuse. By connecting these issues, Willard demonstrated how various causes were linked, appealing to a wider audience. This expansive agenda allowed the WCTU to attract a much broader base of members and allies. Women who might not have been solely interested in temperance could join the WCTU to advocate for suffrage, better working conditions, or educational reforms, creating a powerful, diverse, and flexible grassroots network across the nation.

The 'Do Everything Policy' fundamentally transformed the WCTU from a single-issue pressure group into one of the largest and most influential women's organizations of its era. It gave women a legitimate platform to engage in public life and advocate for systemic change at a time when their political influence was severely limited. This strategic expansion not only amplified the WCTU's voice but also laid groundwork for future social justice movements by demonstrating the power of intersectional advocacy.

Who was Frances Willard?

Frances Willard was a prominent American temperance reformer and women's suffragist. She served as the national president of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) from 1879 to 1898 and was the driving force behind the 'Do Everything Policy'.

What were some specific reforms the WCTU pursued under this policy?

Beyond alcohol prohibition, the WCTU actively campaigned for women's right to vote, the establishment of kindergartens, an eight-hour workday, prison reform, public health education, and the creation of separate courts for juveniles, among many other causes.

Did the 'Do Everything Policy' dilute their temperance message?

While some critics argued it might spread the WCTU too thin, Willard believed the broader approach strengthened the temperance cause by addressing its underlying social roots. By tackling systemic issues, they aimed to create a society where temperance would naturally flourish, making their influence more profound and long-lasting.

How did this policy impact the women's suffrage movement?

The 'Do Everything Policy' significantly boosted the women's suffrage movement. Willard argued that women needed the vote to effectively protect their homes and families from the harms of alcohol and other social ills. By linking temperance to suffrage, the WCTU brought millions of women into political activism, making suffrage a central part of their broader reform agenda and adding considerable momentum to the cause.