For the first time, the elections were conducted digitally, achieving a record turnout with leaders participating from around the globe.

The new volunteer board, which will assume office in January 2025, remains women-led and reflects the diversity of our worldwide movement, with trustees from nine different countries. United they will continue to advance Mothers’ Union’s vision to end poverty, violence, and social injustice in communities worldwide.

Leading the new Board will be Worldwide President Elect, Kathleen Snow from Canada. Kathleen has served on the Board for six years as the Zonal Trustee for the Americas and has been a volunteer facilitator for the worldwide parenting programme and the Mothers’ Union Listens, Observes and Acts (MULOA) consultation, which engaged 200,000 members globally. She is also the Chair of the MU Development Committee, overseeing programmes like the transformational literacy initiative that empowers women and breaks the cycle of poverty.

Accepting the role, Kathleen commented “This is humbling, and a great honour. I look forward to working with members and staff to continue to build God’s Kingdom through Mothers’ Union. I am particularly excited that, as we carry forward the torch in January, we will be building on the firm foundations of our transformational programme work. Just this week we are starting a new campaign, speaking up to right the injustice which means that, still today, 765 million adults cannot read or write, two-thirds of them women, meaning they are unable to read medicine bottles, register the birth of a child, vote or ensure they get the correct change in the market. We are calling for women’s literacy to be a priority. Being literate empowers women to be part of society and take ownership of their lives. I look forward, in fellowship with members around the world, to continuing to do God’s work by serving the most disadvantaged in our communities, remembering that, with God, all things are possible.”

The newly elected trustees who will serve from 2025 are:

• Zone A: Joy Hla Gyaw, Myanmar (Korea, Myanmar, North and South India, Sri Lanka)
• Zone B: Judith Spencer-Jarrett, West Indies (Canada, South America, USA, West Indies)
• Zone C: Dorothy Siep, Papua New Guinea (Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia, Australia, Melanesia, Papua New Guinea)
• Zone D: Reverend Mercy Murithi, Kenya (Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda,Tanzania, Jerusalem and the Middle East)
• Zone E: Maria van Staden, South Africa (Central Africa, Nigeria, South, Sudan, Sudan, Southern Africa, IAMA)
• Zone F: Estelle Dibo, Cameroon (Burundi, Congo, Indian Ocean, West Africa)
• Zone G: Julia Jamieson, UK (Canterbury, including Europe)
• Zone H: Deb Lee, UK (York)
• Zone I: June Butler, Ireland (All Ireland)
• Zone J: Reverend Ann Wren, Scotland (Scotland)
• Zone K: Lowrie Washington-Jones, Wales (Wales)

Additionally, the following trustees will continue to serve, appointed to provide complementary skills:

• Liz Gaylor, UK (Safeguarding)
• Mathilde Nkwirikiye, Burundi (Policy)

Announcing the Worldwide President and Board elect, current Worldwide President, Sheran Harper, commented:

"It has been an absolute privilege to serve on the Worldwide Board of MU, first as a Trustee and then as Worldwide President, for a total of 12 years. During this time, I have witnessed the growth of God’s Kingdom through the selfless acts of love and courage of our members. I have been deeply touched by their resilience and commitment to transforming the lives of women, families, and communities across the globe.

As I prepare to hand over the baton at the end of this year, I do so with hope and confidence. I trust that WWP Elect Kathleen and her Trustees will continue to advance our mission to end poverty, injustice, and violence, while also transforming our beloved movement, ensuring we remain strong and relevant as we move towards our 150th anniversary."

We are also delighted to annouce the results of the Britain and Ireland elections, with the results as follows: 

• Canterbury – Comfort Fearon
• York – Christine Sharpe
• All Ireland – Kay Clarke
• Scotland – Deborah Munday
• Wales – Susan Rivers

Hero Image: From left to right: Sheran Harper (Worldwide President), Bev Jullien (CEO) and Kathleen Snow (Worldwide President Elect)