Women leading the way

At a time when a woman in a ministry position was unheard of in most other churches, The Salvation Army in Mt Isa has hosted dozens of female Salvation Army officers.

The trend started in 1936 with Captains Thelma Leech and Olive Devlin (pictured right), and continued with Captain Constance Worley and Evelyn Holmes (pictured below) who served from 1939-1941 and Captain Murial Dalrymple and Lieutenant Myrtle Limpus (pictured left) who served from 1941-1943.

Ordaining women was a revolutionary concept at the time, so these women were real pioneers and must have experienced an odd look or two around town! The Salvation Army has always given equal rights to women, with the wife of the founder, Catherine Booth, a strong leader in her time.

In Australia, women have risen to every leadership position within The Salvation Army – even General! Our beloved General Eva Burrows led the worldwide Salvation Army for seven years.

Download photo Leech & Devlin
Download photo Worley & Holmes
Download photo Dalrymple & Limpus