The Archivists for Congregations of Women Religious (ACWR) came into being September 1, 1990. This was a result of discussions held at the Society of American Archivists meeting in 1989 which identified the need for a professional organization for archivists of congregations of Catholic sisters. From its inception, ACWR has had ties with the Society of American Archivists (SAA), the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR), and the History of Women Religious (HWR).
A task force, under the direction of S. Rosalie McQuaide, CSJP, oversaw the creation of a structure for the new organization and the election of its first officers who assumed their responsibilities in fall, 1992. A national office has existed since 1993, first in Pittsburgh under the direction of S. Patricia Hodge, RSM, and later at Trinity College in Washington, D.C.
Beginning in 1994, the ACWR has sponsored triennial conferences. The first was held at St. Mary’s Center in Monroe, Michigan, followed by one at the motherhouse of the Dominican Sisters in Sinsinawa, Wisconsin. The 2000 conference was held in the Cleveland, Ohio area, in 2003 in the St. Louis area, and in 2006 in the Cincinnati, Ohio area. Each one has provided an enriching opportunity for members and friends of ACWR to learn, share, and grow in their professional competence and in their ability to approach their work as a sacred ministry.
| Past Presidents of ACWR |
| 2015-16 | Sarah Cantor | |
| 2014-15 | Denise Gallo | |
| 2013-14 | S. Louise Grundish, SC | |
| 2012-13 | S. Mary Ann Gschwind, FSPA | |
| 2011-12 | S. Rose Marie Martin, OP | |
| 2010-11 | Ellen Pierce | |
| 2009-10 | S. Francis Assisi Kennedy, OSF | |
| 2008-09 | S. Louise Grundish, SC | |
| 2007-08 | S. Mary Ann Gschwind, FSPA | |
| 2006-07 | S. Mary Denis Maher, CSA | |
| 2005-06 | S. Judith Metz, SC | |
| 2004-05 | S. Mary Jeremy Buckman, RSM | |
| 2003-04 | S. Katherine Misbauer, SL | |
| 2002-03 | S. Susan Nowalis, RSM | |
| 2001-02 | S. Edna McKeever, CSJ | |
| 2000-01 | S. Kathryn Callahan, CSC | |
| 1999-00 | S. Sabina Collins, OSF | |
| 1998-99 | S. Dolores Liptak, RSM | |
| 1997-98 | S. Rita King, SC |
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| 1996-97 | S. Marjorie Buttner, OP | |
| 1995-96 | S. Emma Cecilia Busam, OSU |
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| 1994-95 | S. Mary Serbacki, OSF |
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| 1992-94 | S. Dolores Liptak, RSM |