Lucy Grant Cannon

Lucy Grant Cannon was the fourth general president of the Young Ladies’ Mutual Improvement Association of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1937 to 1948. The organization is now known as Young Women. She had served as a counselor to two previous presidents, from 1923 to 1948.

She was born on October 22, 1880, to Heber J. Grant and his first wife Lucy Stringham. Her mother died she was about 12 years old. She served as a full-time missionary in the Western States Mission in 1901. She married George J. Cannon in 1902. They were the parents of seven children, including son George I. Cannon, who was a general authority from 1986 to 1991.

Cannon’s presidency introduced the Golden Gleaner awards for young women and started Sunday evening firesides. They designated the class symbols of the beehive, rose, laurel, and sheaf of wheat. To support young women living away from home, the Big Sister program was initiated for stakes in large cities. In 1947, YWMIA members celebrate the centennial of the pioneers entering the Salt Lake Valley through festivals, music, parades, and square dancing.

She died in Salt Lake City on May 27, 1966.