A Brief Timeline of Young Women History

Young Women Beginnings

14 November 1869

President Brigham Young calls upon the women of the Church to reform from extravagance and to live more simply.

28 November 1869

Considered by many to be the date when Brigham Young held a meeting with his daughters in the parlor of the Lion House to ask them to lead in a retrenchment from the things of the world. He asked them to gain living testimonies and to dress and act with a modest demeanor.

27 May 1870

The first Young Ladies’ Department of the Ladies’ Cooperative Retrenchment Association is formally organized. The young ladies resolve to set an example of modesty and of gospel living worthy of imitation.

Fall 1877

The name of the organization is officially changed to the Young Ladies’ Mutual Improvement Association.

19 June 1880

The first General President of the Young Ladies’ Mutual Improvement Association, Elmina S. Taylor, is called by President John Taylor.