In response to questions about the role of women in the church, the 1980 convention of the Northwest District created a Committee on Women in the Church "to consider and possibly provide guidelines to help men and women cope with changing roles in society." The work of the committee was officially continued by a resolution in the 1985 and 1988 conventions. The group was given regular committee status under the direct supervision of the District President in 1991. In 1994 the convention approved the request of the committee to change the name to Northwest District President's Commission on Women. The Commission made regular reports on its work to the convention. The last report was given to the 2000 convention; the functions of the Commission ceased shortly thereafter.

In its year 2000 report to the District Convention, the Commission outlined its mission as follows: "To empower women in their ministries. To assist the people of God in their response to changing roles. To encourage full use of God's gifts within the church. To sensitize the church to justice issues which impact women and men. For the good of the whole church and to the Glory of God."