WMU Emblem and Colors

During the Twenty-fifth Anniversary year, 1913, Woman’s Missionary Union adopted its pin, the design of which became the official emblem of Woman’s Missionary Union. It was drawn by Miss Emma Whitfield of Virginia whose mother had presided over the organizational meeting of Woman’s Missionary Union in 1888 in Richmond, Virginia, a quarter of a century earlier.

The emblem shape is the double fish head, a symbol used in the early days of Christianity to protect believers fearing persecution. The followers of Christ adopted the custom of making the sign of the fish head when they met anyone whose attitude toward Christianity was not known. If the person were an enemy of Christianity, the sign would mean nothing to him. If he were a Christian, he would recognize the sign and so be discovered as a fellow believer. The symbol was used by the Christians because in the Greek the first letters of "Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior" spell the word fish. Therefore, the symbol was precious to the Christians as a brief profession of their faith in the deity of Christ.

Around the border of the pin is engraved "Woman’s Missionary Union SBC 1888," signifying the organization’s founding date. In the center of the emblem is pictured a Bible opened at 1 Corinthians 3:9—"Laborers together with God," the permanent WMU watchword. Above the open Bible is a lighted torch, a symbol of the Savior Who said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life" (John 8:12). The staff of the torch, extending behind and below the globe, suggests the saving power of God the Father, whose love is above, below, and behind all who follow the Light of life. The globe signifies that there is no boundary for the spread of the gospel and calls believers to their responsibility to share God’s word with all people.

Modern or Stylized WMU Emblem

First used in 1976–77 products and designed by staff artist Liz Hicks, the modern or stylized version of WMU’s emblem was never officially passed by the WMU Executive Board as an "official" emblem, as was the traditional emblem in 1913. Use of the modern emblem became more accepted as time passed. Its meaning is similar to the meaning of the original pin, since it is merely an adaptation of the earlier emblem.

Both emblems are in use today and have been translated to all the languages that are represented by Woman’s Missionary Unions around the world.

WMU Colors

Lavender and white were the colors adopted by the leaders of Woman's Missionary Union. At the time of WMU's founding, it was considered improper for a woman in mourning to wear any bit of color except for lavender. Adopting lavender as the official color for WMU allowed the women to wear a bow or badge at a WMU meeting. In years to come white was combined with the lavender.