Lisa Olsen Tait, Amber C. Taylor, and James Goldberg are historians for the Church History Department, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The late Kate Holbrook (1972–2022) was the managing historian for women’s history in the Church History Department.

Carry On traces the development of Young Women from a small association founded among Brigham Young’s daughters into today’s global organization. Chronicling the organization’s continuous commitment to religious foundations and purposes amid changing cultural circumstances, the book draws from autobiographies, oral histories, correspondence, local and general meeting minutes, church magazines, a variety of curriculum materials, and other records.

This history documents how Young Women leaders navigated rapidly changing social and cultural currents and varying conceptions of womanhood and femininity and how they increasingly sought to create programs that would be relevant for young women across the globe. No matter the era, the place, or the circumstances, leaders throughout the organization’s history have displayed a steadfast commitment to shepherding the young women in their care and strengthening their discipleship within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Carry On offers an essential contribution to the growing body of scholarship on Latter-day Saint women’s history and to studies of women and religion and youth and childhood more generally.

See Errata for Carry On.