Woman's Missionary Union of North Carolina

The Woman's Missionary Union of North Carolina grew out of the Woman's Central Committee, organized in 1886 to coordinate the efforts Woman's Mission Societies in Southern Baptist churches throughout the state. Fannie E. S. Heck was appointed its first president, and continued to serve in this capacity until her death in 1915. In 1891, the North Carolina joined other state unions in the Woman's Missionary Union Auxiliary to the Southern Baptist Convention, an organization over which Heck also presided from 1892 to 1899 and 1906 to 1915. Under the direction of the Woman's Central Committee, the North Carolina Women's Missionary Union organized Sunbeam bands to train children in 1896, Young Woman's Auxiliary for teenagers in 1906, Royal Ambassadors for boys in 1911, and Girls' Auxiliaries for pre-teens in 1913, in addition to the adult women's societies that had existed in Baptist churches since 1815. Following the organization of the North Carolina Baptist Convention, individual church clubs were organized into larger geographical Associations, organized into 5 regional Divisions, over which the Central Committee, and after 1916, the Executive Committee, presided. Upon the death of Fannie E.S. Heck in 1915, Mrs. Wesley N. (Sallie Bailey) Jones assumed the role of North Carolina Women's Missionary Union President, a position which she held until 1936, when Mrs. J. Clyde Turner was elected her successor. In 1942, Foy Farmer, daughter of Livingston Johnson and a missionary to Japan from 1911 to 1920, became president, and served in this capacity until 1950. Other Women's Missionary Union Presidents include: Mrs. C. Gordon Maddrey (1951-1956), Mrs. W.K. McGee (1956-1961), Mrs. LeRoy Parker (1961-1966) Mrs. Knolan Benfield (1966-1971) Mrs. Gilmer Cross (1971-1976), Mrs. J. Frank (Betty)Gilreth (1976-1981), Mrs. Horace (Beatrice) McRae (1981-1986), Mrs. Hoyle (Dorothy)Allred (1986-1991), Mrs. Sanford (Ann) Smith, (1991-1996), Mrs. J.D. (Donace) Harrod (1996-1997) and Ruby Fulbright. The position of Executive Director was established in 1977, with Nancy Curtis appointed to direct the Women's Missionary Union headquarters in Cary, North Carolina. She served until 1994, and was replaced by Irma Duke. Ruby Fulbright, formerly president of the Women's Missionary Union, currently serves as Executive Director. For additional historical information on the Woman's Missionary Union of North Carolina, see also: Branyon, Beth. Miss Fannie: Leader for Women's Missionary Union. Franklin, TN: Providence House Publishers, 1998. (BV2765.5.H43 B73 1998) Crouch, Kate C. Maddry. The Magnificent Nobility: A History of Woman's Missionary Union of North Carolina, 1952-1972. Raleigh: The Union, 1977. (267.446 C8) Farmer, Foy Johnson. Hitherto: A History of North Carolina's Woman's Missionary Union. Raleigh, Woman's Missionary Union of North Carolina, 1952. (BV2766 B4893 F3) Farmer, Foy Johnson. Sallie Bailey Jones by Foy Farmer. Raleigh: Woman's Missionary Union of North Carolina, 1949. (921 J72f) James, Minnie Kennedy. Fannie E.S. Heck: A Study of Hidden Springs in a Rarely Useful and Victorious Life. Nashville: Broadman Press, 1939. (921 H35j)