Who is the United Methodist Woman that has influenced you the most?

At our recent UMW Annual Meeting, attendees were asked the following question
Without naming names, describe the United Methodist Woman that had the most influence in your life.

• Carolyn M - very dedicated, spiritual and energetic. She has helped me to see how the unit fits into the whole conference.

• Betty McC - From the time I was 7 years old, she was involved in the youth ministry. She was consistent, loving, a very good listener without being judgmental, a good example as a good homemaker, and always there for us, even when I was a young adult with small children.

• Mary N - When I belonged to the Girls' Missionary Organization called the Standard Bearers, the WSCS assigned us mystery mothers. I had the same woman for two years in a row. She sent me cards, letters of encouragement, etc. The relationship continued. She became a district officer, and when our conference had its first School of Christian Mission, she saw to it that I got there.

• Carla D & Mary Ann D - She was active in local and district levels. She was caring. We were influenced by her actions, her willingness to do for others and her knowledge.

• Mildred G - She was very active in WSCS. As a child, I went with her. If it had not been for her, I wouldn't be in UMW today.

• Nina T - She is the wife of a former DS and always attends everything that UMW holds. She was a Women's Division Director. She was helpful, dedicated and supportive.

• Carol M - Her involvement in UMW and her encouragement to participate, to bring me to Lake Junaluska and introduce me to the events, her activities and enthusiasm.

• Sue J - Her dedication to women, and getting you involved in everything, her general love for UMW.

• Mary B - Several - in the late 50s and early 60s, we sat in my apartment and made the first real budget for our conference UMW. They were powerful women.

• Loise G - In justice ministries, there were so many, it's hard to pick one. For their peace, justice & equality for women's issues, that's why I came into the UM church and into the deaconess program.

• Linda E - There were two. One of my SS teachers. She lived with her mother and sister, in a cotton mill town. She would see you heading in a certain direction that was not good, and she would gently pull you in a different direction. Later, when I was a single woman, there was a woman in the church who was very active and yet very gently and patient in her dealings with other women.

• Carolyn B - A lady who was the local unit president. She loved church work. It was her nature to be loving and kind. She could not do enough.

• Louise F - The one who took me to UMW when it was first organized at our church. She was loving, caring and hard-working. I thought I'd be too young to go, but she let me go along.

• Bertha T - She was a district president. By her devotion and dedication to the WSCS. I first attended when I was 28 years old. Another from my local unit, and a district officer. The way she lived was such an inspiration. She was the leader in every respect and we often called her the Christian diplomat, because she could handle any situation in a Christian way. She was the one who inspired me to become a member of the women's group.

• Liz H - When I was a little girl, there was a missionary who came to our church. We supported her in India. She is the reason that I remain in the United Methodist Church.

• Lois T - A minister's wife - a very loving warm person with a deep faith that was expressed in practical ways. She made you feel very important and special. My favorite quote from her: "You should act, realizing that what you do and what you say is influencing someone at all times."

• Beth R - a woman who is generous of spirit, gracious, involved in the church, a loving mother, a great example of a woman in business, in the home and in the church.

• Louise E - She can find time to lend a hand, goes out of her way before the need is apparent. She has shown me a new way. She has me doing things I have no idea. That's the reflection of Christ in her life.

• Deborah M - She has good leadership. She gets you involved with UMW. She told me about all the missions, and I'm interested in missions.

• Laura W - She was president of our district and I was on the team with her. She became a real good friend, an all around good person, the same every time you meet her.

• Ruth L - Very mission minded and dedicated, going out of her way for others.

• Faye A - I followed in her footsteps. If she had not been active, I might not have gotten involved.

• Emma B - a gracious lady that would make anyone want to follow.

• Polly B - her ability to do a characterization, a dramatic presentation.

• Linda R - There are so many, I could not pick just one. At different periods in my UMW growth, there have been different mentors.

• Irma E - ditto

• Betty L - a lady in my local unit who is committed, caring and concerned.

• Mildred C - She knows UMW and Methodism inside and out, and she shares that knowledge.

• Nina H - She is 91 years old and still active. She has 2 daughters and 4 granddaughters in UMW, all in 1 church. She was a member of the Ladies Aid Society, WSCS and UMW. She has served in every capacity except president. She is a devout Christian.

• Jean M - She started a YouthWSCS because we young women didn't want to be a part of our mother's group. Also, the woman who started the US-2 program, because I was a US-2 and became a deaconess.

• Linda B - My spiritual mother, my SS teacher, my MYF leader, she started the WSG so young women would be nurtured spiritually. She was 100% missions.

• Lynn B - a woman who is 100 years old this year. In her 80s, she was local unit president. Remarkable as a mentor, helping me grow, and learn what it means to be in mission in UMW.

• Virginia R - very involved, busy, whenever UMW met, she was there. She started out with WSCS. She was very faithful to the church.

• Sarah A - a very joyful happy, 95 year old. Very loyal to Methodism, intelligent, gracious, a true servant to women and children.

• Dotty B - She's a good presider and a top officer. I've had courses under her at SCM.

• Carol G - There was one person who came from another church to jump start our unit again. It takes commitment to spiritual growth and serving women.

• Barbara C - There are so many older women who were in UMW when I joined. They asked me to be president and told me everything. It really meant a lot to me. They lived it and they breathed it.

• Dot A - the closeness of God. If anyone wanted prayer, they came to her. They felt it when she prayed, so familiar a tone with God, so close and so at one with His will.

• Willie A - When I was in high school, we had a teen circle. The ladies mentored us and had us serve their teas. They were very genteel. She made me feel like I could.

• Leone A - The first lady to ever invite me to a circle. She offered me a ride. She was excited about the programming.

• Betty S - By always knowing and doing the things that UMW were doing, by always being available and very active.

• Nikki A - all of them have given me something to take in the journey.

• Evelyn E - knowledgeable, warm, makes you feel important. She taught classes and encourages you to be active.

• Karen W - She's quiet, humble, hard working, knowledgeable about UMW, our conference's cheerleader.

• Etta M - she was the daughter of a minister. She was kind enough in my youth to nurture me. She carried me to meetings with her. She was highly respected in UMW. She took me under her wing. As a result of her caring, this is where I am today.

• Donna H - Unselfish, very dedicated, giving, active, a great leader, loves God and shows it.

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The PURPOSE of United Methodist Women
The organized unit of United Methodist Women shall be a community of women whose purpose is to know God and to experience freedom as whole persons through Jesus Christ; to develop a creative supportive fellowship; and to expand concepts of mission through participation in the global ministries of the church.