Elmina Shepard Taylor
Encyclopedia
Anstis Elmina Shepard Taylor (September 12, 1830 – December 6, 1904) was the first general president of what is today the Young Women organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and was a founding member of the National Council of Women.
to David Spaulding Shepard and Rosella Bailey. Following her graduation from public school and Hardwick Academy, she left home in 1854 to teach school in Haverstraw, New York
, where she met John Druce, a member of the LDS Church. She was taught by Druce and baptized into the church on July 5, 1856. On August 31, 1856, she married George Hamilton Taylor in Haverstraw. They left New York for Utah
on April 15, 1859, and arrived in Salt Lake City on September 16.
At a meeting of the LDS Church's organization for adolescent girls held June 19, 1880, in the Assembly Hall
on Temple Square
, Taylor was appointed the first general president of the Young Ladies' National Mutual Improvement Association, the original name of the church's Young Women Organization. Taylor was the general president of the organization until her death in 1904. Under her direction, Susa Young Gates
founded the Young Woman's Journal
, which began publication in 1889. Just prior to Taylor's death, she shortened the name of the YLNMIA to the Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Association. Taylor was succeeded by her second counselor, Martha H. Tingey
.
In 1888, Taylor and others met with Susan B. Anthony
in Seneca Falls, New York
and participated in the founding of the National Council of Women, an organization dedicated to promoting the rights of women. In 1891, Taylor was appointed an ex officio vice president of the organization, a position she held until her death. Young died at her home in Salt Lake City.
Biography
Elmina Shepard was born in Middlefield, New YorkMiddlefield, New York
Middlefield is a town in Otsego County, New York, United States. The population was 2,249 at the 2000 census.The Town of Middlefield is in the northeast part of the county...
to David Spaulding Shepard and Rosella Bailey. Following her graduation from public school and Hardwick Academy, she left home in 1854 to teach school in Haverstraw, New York
Haverstraw, New York
Haverstraw is the name of two locations in Rockland County, New York:*Haverstraw, New York, a town*Haverstraw , New York, a village located entirely within the townIt may also refer to:*West Haverstraw, New York*Haverstraw Bay*Haverstraw Indians...
, where she met John Druce, a member of the LDS Church. She was taught by Druce and baptized into the church on July 5, 1856. On August 31, 1856, she married George Hamilton Taylor in Haverstraw. They left New York for Utah
Utah Territory
The Territory of Utah was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from September 9, 1850, until January 4, 1896, when the final extent of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Utah....
on April 15, 1859, and arrived in Salt Lake City on September 16.
At a meeting of the LDS Church's organization for adolescent girls held June 19, 1880, in the Assembly Hall
Salt Lake Assembly Hall
thumb|200px|right|Front entrance to the Assembly Hall with the [[Seagull Monument]] in foregroundthumb|200px|right|Inside Assembly HallThe Salt Lake Assembly Hall is one of the buildings owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on the southwest corner of Temple Square in Salt Lake...
on Temple Square
Temple Square
Temple Square is a ten acre complex located in the center of Salt Lake City, Utah, owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . In recent years, the usage of the name has gradually changed to include several other church facilities immediately adjacent to Temple Square...
, Taylor was appointed the first general president of the Young Ladies' National Mutual Improvement Association, the original name of the church's Young Women Organization. Taylor was the general president of the organization until her death in 1904. Under her direction, Susa Young Gates
Susa Young Gates
300px|thumb|Susa Young Gates, portrait bustSusa Young Gates was a writer, periodical editor, and women's rights advocate in Utah....
founded the Young Woman's Journal
Young Woman's Journal
Young Woman's Journal was an official publication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints between 1897 and 1929. It was an official periodical of the Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Association, then the LDS Church's organization for adolescent females.Young Woman's Journal was founded...
, which began publication in 1889. Just prior to Taylor's death, she shortened the name of the YLNMIA to the Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Association. Taylor was succeeded by her second counselor, Martha H. Tingey
Martha H. Tingey
Martha Jane Horne Tingey was the second general president of the Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Association of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1905 to 1929. She spent a total of 49 years as a member of the general presidency.-Biography:Martha Jane Horne was born in Salt...
.
In 1888, Taylor and others met with Susan B. Anthony
Susan B. Anthony
Susan Brownell Anthony was a prominent American civil rights leader who played a pivotal role in the 19th century women's rights movement to introduce women's suffrage into the United States. She was co-founder of the first Women's Temperance Movement with Elizabeth Cady Stanton as President...
in Seneca Falls, New York
Seneca Falls (village), New York
Seneca Falls is a village in Seneca County, New York, United States. The population was 6,861 at the 2000 census. The village is in the Town of Seneca Falls, east of Geneva, New York. On March 16, 2010, village residents voted to dissolve the village, a move that would take effect at the end of 2011...
and participated in the founding of the National Council of Women, an organization dedicated to promoting the rights of women. In 1891, Taylor was appointed an ex officio vice president of the organization, a position she held until her death. Young died at her home in Salt Lake City.