SUSA YOUNG GATES i 1856 - 1933 i Writer, Teacher, Missionary,
Genealogist, Advocate for Women s Rights i Founder of the Young Women s
Journal, Utah Woman s Press Club, Relief Society Magazine Susa Young
Gates was a woman of many talents and skills. One of the most important
was becoming a mother to thirteen children. She was a writer,
publisher, teacher, missionary, genealogist, temple worker, and an
advocate for women's rights. Susa was a member of the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints and it was said that she was, "The most
versatile and prolific LDS writer ever to take up the pen in defense of
her religion." Susa was born on March 18, 1856, the daughter of Brigham
Young and Lucy Bigelow Young. Susa had an interesting life. At the age
of thirteen, she entered the University of Deseret. Later in her life
she enrolled at Brigham Young Academy where she founded the department
of music and conducted a choir. While attending college she was also
co-editor of the college newspaper. At the age of sixteen she married a
man by the name of Dr. Alma Bailey Dunford and gave birth to two
children, Leah and Alma. Unfortunately, a few years later the marriage
ended in divorce and Susa ventured out on her own again. In 1880, Susa
married Jacob F. Gates and the two based their marriage on mutual
respect and support of each other's work. Susa gave birth to eleven
children in the marriage, although only four survived to adulthood.
Susa Young Gates founded the Young Women's Journal, the Utah Woman's
Press Club, and the Relief Society magazine. She was also Press
Chairman of the National Council of Women and a charter member of the
National Household Economic Association. Using her writing abilities,
Susa wrote biographies of Lydia Knight, her father Brigham Young, and
novels entitled John Stevens' Courtship and The Prince of Ur. She also
wrote a pamphlet called the "Teachings of Brigham Young," and histories
of women in the LDS church. Susa was always concerned for women's
achievements and rights. At one point in her life she joined Susan B.
Anthony and other women in the International Council for tea with Queen
Victoria. She was also a representative to women's congresses in
Denver, Washington D.C., Toronto, and London, where she talked on
"Equal Moral Standards for Men and Women." Susa loved her husband,
children and family very much. Susa and her husband Jacob, completed a
mission to the Sandwich Islands in 1889, and Susa spent most of her
later life doing genealogy and ordinance work in the Salt Lake Temple.
Susa Young Gates died on May 27, 1933 leaving behind a legacy of hard
work and accomplishments. She is truly an example of an amazing Utah
woman!