Young Women General Presidencies

Elmina Shepard Taylor, president, 1880–19041

First counselor: Margaret (Maggie) Young Taylor, 1880–1887;2 Maria Young Dougall, 1887–19043

Second counselor: Martha (Mattie) Horne Tingey, 1880–19044

TBD

Elmina Shepard Taylor

(Courtesy Church History Library, Salt Lake City.)

Martha (Mattie) Horne Tingey, president, 1905–19295

First counselor: Ruth May Fox, 1905–19296

Second counselor: Mae Taylor Nystrom, 1905–1923;7 Lucy Grant Cannon, 1923–19298

TBD

Martha (Mattie) Horne Tingey

(Courtesy Church History Library, Salt Lake City.)

Ruth May Fox, president, 1929–19379

First counselor: Lucy Grant Cannon, 1929–193710

Second counselor: Clarissa Alice Beesley, 1929–193711

TBD

Ruth May Fox

(Courtesy Church History Library, Salt Lake City.)

Lucy Grant Cannon, president, 1937–194812

First counselor: Helen Spencer Williams, 1937–1944;13 Verna Wright Goddard, 1944–194814

Second counselor: Verna Wright Goddard, 1937–1944;15 Lucy Taylor Andersen, 1944–194816

TBD

Lucy Grant Cannon

(Courtesy Church History Library, Salt Lake City.)

Bertha Stone Reeder, president, 1948–196117

First counselor: Emily Higgs Bennett, 1948–196118

Second counselor: LaRue Carr Longden, 1948–196119

TBD

Bertha Stone Reeder

(Courtesy Church History Library, Salt Lake City.)

Florence Smith Jacobsen, president, 1961–197220

First counselor: Margaret Romney Jackson, 1961–197221

Second counselor: Dorothy Porter Holt, 1961–197222

TBD

Florence Smith Jacobsen

(Courtesy The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.)

Ruth Hardy Funk, president, 1972–197823

First counselor: Hortense Hogan Child, 1972–197824

Second counselor: Ardeth Greene Kapp, 1972–197825

TBD

Ruth Hardy Funk

(Courtesy Church History Library, Salt Lake City.)

Elaine Anderson Cannon, president, 1978–198426

First counselor: Arlene Barlow Darger, 1978–198427

Second counselor: Norma Broadbent Smith, 1978–198428

TBD

Elaine Anderson Cannon

(Courtesy Busath Photography, copies at Church History Library, Salt Lake City.)

Ardeth Greene Kapp, president, 1984–199229

First counselor: Patricia Terry Holland, 1984–1986;30 Maurine Johnson Turley, 1986–1987;31 Jayne Broadbent Malan, 1987–199232

Second counselor: Maurine Johnson Turley, 1984–1986; Jayne Broadbent Malan, 1986–1987; Elaine Low Jack, 1987–1990;33 Janette Callister Hales, 1990–199234

TBD

Ardeth Greene Kapp

(Courtesy Busath Photography.)

Janette Callister Hales Beckham, president, 1992–199735

First counselor: Virginia Hinckley Pearce, 1992–199736

Second counselor: Patricia Peterson Pinegar, 1992–1994;37 Bonnie Dansie Parkin, 1994–1997;38 Carol Burdett Thomas, 199739

TBD

Janette Callister Hales Beckham

(Courtesy Busath Photography, copies at Church History Library, Salt Lake City.)

Margaret Dyreng Nadauld, president, 1997–200240

First counselor: Carol Burdett Thomas, 1997–200241

Second counselor: Sharon Greene Larsen, 1997–200242

TBD

Margaret Dyreng Nadauld

(Courtesy The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.)

Susan Winder Tanner, president, 2002–200843

First counselor: Julie Bangerter Beck, 2002–2007;44 Elaine Schwartz Dalton, 2007–200845

Second counselor: Elaine Schwartz Dalton, 2002–2007;46 Mary Nielsen Cook, 2007–200847

TBD

Susan Winder Tanner

(Courtesy Busath Photography.)

Elaine Schwartz Dalton, president, 2008–201348

First counselor: Mary Nielsen Cook, 2008–201349

Second counselor: Ann Monson Dibb, 2008–201350

TBD

Elaine Schwartz Dalton

(Courtesy Busath Photography.)

Bonnie Lee Green Oscarson, president, 2013–201851

First counselor: Carol Foley McConkie, 2013–201852

Second counselor: Neill Foote Marriott, 2013–201853

TBD

Bonnie Lee Green Oscarson

(Courtesy Busath Photography.)

Bonnie Hillam Cordon, president, 2018–202354

First counselor: Michelle Daines Craig, 2018–202355

Second counselor: Rebecca (Becky) Mitchell Craven, 2018–202356

TBD

Bonnie Hillam Cordon

(Courtesy Busath Photography.)

Emily Belle Oswald Freeman, president, 2023–57

First counselor: Tamara Wood Runia, 2023–58

Second counselor: Andrea Muñoz Spannaus, 2023–59

TBD

Emily Belle Oswald Freeman

(Courtesy Busath Photography.)

Cite This Page

Cite This Page

Young Women General Presidencies, Carry On: The Latter-day Saint Young Women Organization, 1870–2024, accessed March 28, 2025 https://chpress-web.churchhistorianspress.org/young-women/appendixes/general-presidencies

Footnotes

  1. [1]“Salt Lake Stake Relief Society, Report, 18 and 19 June 1880, in Derr et al., First Fifty Years of Relief Society, 472; Gates, History of the YLMIA, 93, 266.”

  2. [2]“Salt Lake Stake Relief Society, Report, 18 and 19 June 1880, in Derr et al., First Fifty Years of Relief Society, 472; Gates, History of the YLMIA, 94–95.”

  3. [3]Gates, History of the YLMIA, 98–99.

  4. [4]Salt Lake Stake Relief Society, Report, 18 and 19 June 1880, in Derr et al., First Fifty Years of Relief Society, 472; Gates, History of the YLMIA, 287.

  5. [5]Gates, History of the YLMIA, 281–283, 288–289; “Our Reorganization,” Young Woman’s Journal, May 1905, 245; “A Tribute,” Young Woman’s Journal, May 1929, 307.

  6. [6]Gates, History of the YLMIA, 285; “The Executive Officers of the General Board of the Y. L. M. I. A.,” Young Woman’s Journal, June 1905, 259.

  7. [7]Gates, History of the YLMIA, 285; “The Executive Officers of the General Board of the Y. L. M. I. A.,” Young Woman’s Journal, June 1905, 259; “Change in the Presidency,” Young Woman’s Journal, Aug. 1923, 457.

  8. [8]“Change in the Presidency,” Young Woman’s Journal, Aug. 1923, 457.

  9. [9]Elsie T. Brandley, “Ruth May Fox,” Young Woman’s Journal, May 1929, 313–314; John A. Widtsoe, “The New Y.W.M.I.A. Presidency,” Improvement Era, Dec. 1937, 760.

  10. [10]May Booth Talmage, “Lucy Grant Cannon,” Young Woman’s Journal, May 1929, 317.

  11. [11]Mary C. Kimball, “Clarissa A. Beesley,” Young Woman’s Journal, May 1929, 322.

  12. [12]“Greetings from the New Presidency of the Young Women’s Mutual Improvement Association,” Improvement Era, Dec. 1937, 741; John A. Widtsoe, “The New Y. W. M. I. A. Presidency,” Improvement Era, Dec. 1937, 760; Marba C. Josephson, “Service to the Young Women of the Church,” Improvement Era, July 1948, 430, 476.

  13. [13]“Greetings from the New Presidency of the Young Women’s Mutual Improvement Association,” Improvement Era, Dec. 1937, 741; John A. Widtsoe, “The New Y. W. M. I. A. Presidency,” Improvement Era, Dec. 1937, 760; “Y.W.M.I.A. Counselor,” Improvement Era, Aug. 1944, 494.

  14. [14]“Y.W.M.I.A. Counselor,” Improvement Era, Aug. 1944, 494.

  15. [15]“Greetings from the New Presidency of the Young Women’s Mutual Improvement Association,” Improvement Era, Dec. 1937, 741; John A. Widtsoe, “The New Y. W. M. I. A. Presidency,” Improvement Era, Dec. 1937, 760.

  16. [16]Helena W. Larson, “Lucy Taylor Andersen,” Improvement Era, Aug. 1944, 493; “Y.W.M.I.A. Counselor,” Improvement Era, Aug. 1944, 494.

  17. [17]Marba C. Josephson, “Bertha S. Reeder,” Improvement Era, May 1948, 265; Marba C. Josephson, “Service to the Young Women of the Church,” Improvement Era, July 1948, 431, 477–478; “Changes Made at Fall Conference,” Improvement Era, Nov. 1961, 796; Marba C. Josephson, “Recently Released YWMIA General Presidency,” Improvement Era, Jan. 1962, 28–29, 68.

  18. [18]Marba C. Josephson, “Service to the Young Women of the Church,” Improvement Era, July 1948, 431, 477–478.

  19. [19]Marba C. Josephson, “Service to the Young Women of the Church,” Improvement Era, July 1948, 431, 478.

  20. [20]“Changes Made at Fall Conference,” Improvement Era, Nov. 1961, 796; Marba C. Josephson, “Recently Appointed YWMIA General Presidency,” Improvement Era, Jan. 1962, 26–27, 69–71; “2 Priesthood-Oriented MIAs,” Church News, 11 Nov. 1972, 3.

  21. [21]Marba C. Josephson, “Recently Appointed YWMIA General Presidency,” Improvement Era, Jan. 1962, 27, 69.

  22. [22]Marba C. Josephson, “Recently Appointed YWMIA General Presidency,” Improvement Era, Jan. 1962, 69–71.

  23. [23]“2 Priesthood-Oriented MIAs,” Church News, 11 Nov. 1972, 3, 8, 11; “New Young Women Presidency Announced,” Ensign, Sept. 1978, 76.

  24. [24]“2 Priesthood-Oriented MIAs,” Church News, 11 Nov. 1972, 3, 8, 11. Hortense Hogan Child was a widow when she was called in 1972; she married Eldred G. Smith in 1977.

  25. [25]“2 Priesthood-Oriented MIAs,” Church News, 11 Nov. 1972, 3, 8, 11.

  26. [26]“New Young Women Leaders,” Church News, 15 July 1978, 3; “New Young Women Presidency Announced,” Ensign, Sept. 1978, 76; “Ardeth Greene Kapp, Young Women General President,” Ensign, May 1984, 98.

  27. [27]“New Young Women Presidency Announced,” Ensign, Sept. 1978, 76.

  28. [28]“New Young Women Presidency Announced,” Ensign, Sept. 1978, 76.

  29. [29]“Ardeth Greene Kapp, Young Women General President,” Ensign, May 1984, 98; “New Young Women General Presidency Called,” Ensign, May 1992, 106–107.

  30. [30]“Two Called to Young Women General Presidency,” Ensign, July 1984, 75; Gordon B. Hinckley, “Solemn Assembly and Sustaining of Church Officers,” Ensign, May 1986, 75.

  31. [31]Gordon B. Hinckley, “Solemn Assembly and Sustaining of Church Officers,” Ensign, May 1986, 75; Thomas S. Monson, “The Sustaining of Church Officers,” Ensign, May 1987, 19.

  32. [32]Thomas S. Monson, “The Sustaining of Church Officers,” Ensign, May 1987, 19.

  33. [33]Thomas S. Monson, “The Sustaining of Church Officers,” Ensign, May 1987, 19; “New Young Women Counselor,” Ensign, May 1990, 111.

  34. [34]“New Young Women Counselor,” Ensign, May 1990, 111.

  35. [35]“New Young Women General Presidency Called,” Ensign, May 1992, 106–107; “Changes in Members of Seventies Quorums; New Young Women Presidency,” Ensign, Nov. 1997, 102. Janette C. Hales was a widow when she was called to be the Young Women general president in 1992. She married Raymond E. Beckham in 1995.

  36. [36]“New Young Women General Presidency Called,” Ensign, May 1992, 106–107.

  37. [37]“New Young Women General Presidency Called,” Ensign, May 1992, 106–107; “New Seventies, Primary Presidency, and Young Women Counselor Called,” Ensign, Nov. 1994, 104.

  38. [38]“New Seventies, Primary Presidency, and Young Women Counselor Called,” Ensign, Nov. 1994, 104; “New Leaders Called, Three New Quorums of Seventy Formed,” Ensign, May 1997, 101.

  39. [39]“New Leaders Called, Three New Quorums of Seventy Formed,” Ensign, May 1997, 101.

  40. [40]“Changes in Members of Seventies Quorums; New Young Women Presidency,” Ensign, Nov. 1997, 102; “New Leaders Called, Policies Announced,” Ensign, Nov. 2002, 120.

  41. [41]“Changes in Members of Seventies Quorums; New Young Women Presidency,” Ensign, Nov. 1997, 102.

  42. [42]“Changes in Members of Seventies Quorums; New Young Women Presidency,” Ensign, Nov. 1997, 102.

  43. [43]“New Leaders Called, Policies Announced,” Ensign, Nov. 2002, 120; Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “The Sustaining of Church Officers,” Ensign, May 2008, 6–7.

  44. [44]“New Leaders Called, Policies Announced,” Ensign, Nov. 2002, 120; Thomas S. Monson, “The Sustaining of Church Officers,” Ensign, May 2007, 5–6.

  45. [45]Thomas S. Monson, “The Sustaining of Church Officers,” Ensign, May 2007, 5–6.

  46. [46]“New Leaders Called, Policies Announced,” Ensign, Nov. 2002, 120; Thomas S. Monson, “The Sustaining of Church Officers,” Ensign, May 2007, 5–6.

  47. [47]Thomas S. Monson, “The Sustaining of Church Officers,” Ensign, May 2007, 5–6.

  48. [48]Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “The Sustaining of Church Officers,” Ensign, May 2008, 6–7; “183rd Annual General Conference Includes Sustaining of New Young Women General Presidency,” Ensign, May 2013, 134.

  49. [49]Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “The Sustaining of Church Officers,” Ensign, May 2008, 6–7.

  50. [50]Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “The Sustaining of Church Officers,” Ensign, May 2008, 6–7.

  51. [51]“183rd Annual General Conference Includes Sustaining of New Young Women General Presidency,” Ensign, May 2013, 134; Dallin H. Oaks, “The Sustaining of Church Officers,” Ensign, May 2018, 28–29.

  52. [52]“183rd Annual General Conference Includes Sustaining of New Young Women General Presidency,” Ensign, May 2013, 134.

  53. [53]“183rd Annual General Conference Includes Sustaining of New Young Women General Presidency,” Ensign, May 2013, 134.

  54. [54]Dallin H. Oaks, “The Sustaining of Church Officers,” Ensign, May 2018, 28–29; Dallin H. Oaks, “Sustaining of General Authorities, Area Seventies, and General Officers,” Liahona, May 2023, 32–33.

  55. [55]Dallin H. Oaks, “The Sustaining of Church Officers,” Ensign, May 2018, 28–29.

  56. [56]Dallin H. Oaks, “The Sustaining of Church Officers,” Ensign, May 2018, 28–29.

  57. [57]Dallin H. Oaks, “Sustaining of General Authorities, Area Seventies, and General Officers,” Liahona, May 2023, 32–33.

  58. [58]Dallin H. Oaks, “Sustaining of General Authorities, Area Seventies, and General Officers,” Liahona, May 2023, 32–33.

  59. [59]Dallin H. Oaks, “Sustaining of General Authorities, Area Seventies, and General Officers,” Liahona, May 2023, 32–33.