Leah D. Widtsoe
Encyclopedia
Leah Eudora Dunford Widtsoe (1874–1965) was the wife of John A. Widtsoe
and thus the leader of all woman's auxiliaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Europe for almost six years, as well as the first lady of Utah State University
and the University of Utah
at different times, and a prominent figure in home economics education.
Born Leah Eudora Dunford she was the daughter of Susa Young (later Susa Young Gates) and her then husband Alma Dunford, who was a dentist. Susa was a daughter of Brigham Young
. After her parents diverced Leah was raised by her father. When she was in her teens she moved to live with her mother and her stepfather, Jacob Gates.
Leah was educated at the University of Utah
, Brigham Young Academy, Pratt Institute
and spent a summer term at Harvard University
. It was while at Harvard that she met John A. Widtsoe. In 1898 Leah and John were married in the Salt Lake Temple
and she them went to Germany with him while he studied chemistry. Their first child was born in Germany.
Leah was the first head of the home economics department at Brigham Young University
(BYU).
Leah Widtsoe was the co-author with her husband of The Word of Wisdom: A Modern Interpretation and co-authored with her mother The Life Story of Brigham Young. She was a regular contributor to many LDS Periodicals. She was also one of the founders of the Salt Lake City League of Women Voters.
Leah Widstoe was an ardent advocate of good diets and believed that people in general did not eat good enough food.
The Joseph F. Smith Family Living Center at BYU had a room named for Leah Widstoe. Her papers relating to her education and teaching are held at BYU. Utah State University
has a graduate scholarship in its Family, Consumer and Human Development program named after her.
John A. Widtsoe
John Andreas Widtsoe was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1921 until his death. Widtsoe was also a noted author, scientist, and academician.-Early life:...
and thus the leader of all woman's auxiliaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Europe for almost six years, as well as the first lady of Utah State University
Utah State University
Utah State University is a public university located in Logan, Utah. It is a land-grant and space-grant institution and is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities....
and the University of Utah
University of Utah
The University of Utah, also known as the U or the U of U, is a public, coeducational research university in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. The university was established in 1850 as the University of Deseret by the General Assembly of the provisional State of Deseret, making it Utah's oldest...
at different times, and a prominent figure in home economics education.
Born Leah Eudora Dunford she was the daughter of Susa Young (later Susa Young Gates) and her then husband Alma Dunford, who was a dentist. Susa was a daughter of Brigham Young
Brigham Young
Brigham Young was an American leader in the Latter Day Saint movement and a settler of the Western United States. He was the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1847 until his death in 1877, he founded Salt Lake City, and he served as the first governor of the Utah...
. After her parents diverced Leah was raised by her father. When she was in her teens she moved to live with her mother and her stepfather, Jacob Gates.
Leah was educated at the University of Utah
University of Utah
The University of Utah, also known as the U or the U of U, is a public, coeducational research university in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. The university was established in 1850 as the University of Deseret by the General Assembly of the provisional State of Deseret, making it Utah's oldest...
, Brigham Young Academy, Pratt Institute
Pratt Institute
Pratt Institute is a private art college in New York City located in Brooklyn, New York, with satellite campuses in Manhattan and Utica. Pratt is one of the leading undergraduate art schools in the United States and offers programs in Architecture, Graphic Design, History of Art and Design,...
and spent a summer term at Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
. It was while at Harvard that she met John A. Widtsoe. In 1898 Leah and John were married in the Salt Lake Temple
Salt Lake Temple
The Salt Lake Temple is the largest and best-known of more than 130 temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is the sixth temple built by the church, requiring 40 years to complete, and the fourth operating temple built since the Mormon exodus from Nauvoo,...
and she them went to Germany with him while he studied chemistry. Their first child was born in Germany.
Leah was the first head of the home economics department at Brigham Young University
Brigham Young University
Brigham Young University is a private university located in Provo, Utah. It is owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , and is the United States' largest religious university and third-largest private university.Approximately 98% of the university's 34,000 students...
(BYU).
Leah Widtsoe was the co-author with her husband of The Word of Wisdom: A Modern Interpretation and co-authored with her mother The Life Story of Brigham Young. She was a regular contributor to many LDS Periodicals. She was also one of the founders of the Salt Lake City League of Women Voters.
Leah Widstoe was an ardent advocate of good diets and believed that people in general did not eat good enough food.
The Joseph F. Smith Family Living Center at BYU had a room named for Leah Widstoe. Her papers relating to her education and teaching are held at BYU. Utah State University
Utah State University
Utah State University is a public university located in Logan, Utah. It is a land-grant and space-grant institution and is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities....
has a graduate scholarship in its Family, Consumer and Human Development program named after her.
Sources
- Utah State History article on Leah Widstoe
- Mary Jane WoodgerMary Jane WoodgerMary Jane Woodger is a professor of Church History and Doctrine at Brigham Young University who has written extensively on David O. McKay....
. "Leah Widtsoe: Pioneer in Healthy Lifestyle Family Education" in Journal of Family and Consumer Sciences, Jan. 2000. - Mormon Times Jun. 1, 2009