Emmeline B. Wells

Women of Letters » Literature, Women in Religious Roles

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 the women’s suffrage movement in the state of Utah as well as nationally. In her diary she stated, “I desire to do all in my power to help elevate the condition of my own people, especially women.” In 1899 she attended and spoke at the International Council of Women in London. She was the editor of the Women’s Exponent , a newspaper written for the benefit of Latter-day Saint Women and wrote a book of poetry entitled, Musings and Memories . Emmeline became the first Utah woman to receive an honorary degree in literature from Brigham Young University. At the age of 82, she was called to serve as the fifth general president of the LDS Relief Society. She served in this position until three weeks before her death at the age of 93.