Women of Letters

Beyond her devotion to family, writing has been Anita Stansfield’s passion for three decades. She has published over 50 novels since her first publication in 1994, as well as a collection of personal essays, most of which are oriented toward Latter-day Saint readers. Also writing under the pseudonym Elizabeth D.

Carol Madsen is Professor Emeritus of History at Brigham Young University and retired senior research historian in BYU’s Joseph Fielding Smith Institute for LDS History. She is also the former associate director of the Women’s Research Institute at BYU. Professor Madsen is the author of more than 50 articles on

Writer, artist, and naturalist, Meloy is perhaps best known for her book, The Anthropology of Turquoise: Meditations on Landscape, Art and Spirit, which was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize in 2003 and won the Utah Book Award for nonfiction. She wrote four collections of essays, primarily on the topic of the human

Emmeline B. Wells (1828-1921) was born in Massachusetts, the second of nine children. She was the only member of her family to receive a private education. She earned a teaching certificate, which she relied on through much of her life to help support her family. She was a leader in

Researcher, writer, and ethnic historian who chronicled the everyday lives of Utah peoples. Her book, The Peoples of Utah, is widely considered the most important work on Utah ethnic peoples. Papanikolas was instrumental in organizing the ethnic archives at the Oral History Archives, located in the University of Utah’s Marriott

Jill Mulvay Derr is a historian for the Historical Department of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She was an American history professor at Brigham Young University, director of the Joseph Fielding Smith Institute for Church History, and the president of the Mormon History Association. She is the

Historian and author best known for her account of the Mountain Meadows Massacre. After obtaining her master’s degree from Columbia University, Brooks became an instructor of English and dean of women at Dixie Junior College. She also served on the Board of the Utah Historical Society for many years. In

Prolific writer and historian as well as president of the International Society Daughters of the Utah Pioneers for more than thirty-five years (1941-1976). Carter’s works include Our Pioneer Heritage (twenty volumes), Treasures of Pioneer History (six volumes), and Heart Throbs of the West (twelve volumes). ©Image used by permission, Utah State Historical Society, all rights reserved.

Reporter, editor, typesetter, and publisher of The Utah Nippo, a Japanese-language newspaper founded by her husband, Uneo Terasawa, in 1914. The Utah Nippo circulated through some of the most tumultuous periods of the twentieth century, including World War II, when the government banned the publication of many Japanese-language newspapers following

Laura Hamblin is a Utah Valley University professor, poet, and artist with a long list of publications, including her own book of poetry, The Eyes of a Flounder (2005). With a strong interest in women’s issues Laura spent sabbatical leave living in Amman, Jordan gathering oral histories of Iraqi women

Teacher, lecturer, and author of The Giant Joshua (1941), a vivid portrayal of pioneer and polygamous life and widely considered one of the most important Mormon works of fiction. Born in St. George, Utah –- the setting for The Giant Joshua -– Whipple won the Houghton Mifflin Literary Prize in 1938 to help her

Nationally renowned poet. Born in Logan, Utah, and educated at Utah State University, Swenson spent most of her adult life in New York City. During the course of her literary career, Swenson published twelve volumes of poetry and was awarded numerous prizes, including the Shelley Memorial Award from the Poetry

Teacher and performer of song, music, and old-time dance to hundreds of school children in Arizona and Utah. Shumway also preserved old-time songs and dances by writing down the words and tunes she learned during her childhood. In recognition for her work, she received the Governor’s Award from the Utah

Patricia Quijano Dark is a recognized, award-winning communications professional. Notably, she is editor of El Observador, Deseret News’ Spanish newspaper, and co-founder of Dual Immersion Academy (DIA) – the first bilingual school in Utah. She also served as executive director for Utah Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (March 2007 – September 2009).

One of Utah’s earliest poets and among the few during her time to achieve national recognition. Carmichael’s first published poem appeared in The Deseret News in 1858 and garnered so much attention that some doubted its authorship. Nevertheless, Carmichael received public praise and encouragement from Eliza R. Snow, and The

Susa Young Gates (1856-1933) was the daughter of Brigham Young and Lucy Bigelow Young, and was the first child born in the Lion House. A prolific writer, she authored more than a dozen books, and published in Mormon sponsored journals such as the Woman’s Exponent, Young Woman’s Journal, and the Relief Society

Notable author and professor of Church History and Doctrine at Brigham Young University. Black has authored, edited, and compiled over 125 books and articles, including several books related to Joseph Smith, Jr., and the early history of the LDS Church. Black was the first female BYU professor of Church History

Mormon novelist associated with the ‘Lost Generation’ group of Mormon writers. Born in Provo and educated at Brigham Young University, Sorensen later moved from Utah and spent most of her adult life abroad. A prolific writer, Sorensen often focused her novels on the conflicts between independent-minded individuals and Mormon small-town

Anita Stansfield

Carol Madsen

Ellen Meloy

Emmeline B. Wells

Helen Zeese Papanikolas

Jill Mulvay Derr

Juanita Brooks

Kate B. Carter

Kuniko Muramatsu Terasawa

Laura Hamblin

Maurine Whipple

May Swenson

Merle Shumway

Patricia Quijano Dark

Sarah Elizabeth Carmichael

Susa Young Gates

Susan Easton Black Durrant

Virginia Sorensen