Colonel Mildred Duff

Catherine Booth: a Sketch (Dodo Press) Colonel Mildred Duff

Catherine Booth nee Mumford (1829-1890) was the Mother of The Salvation Army. She enjoyed working with young people and found the courage to speak in children's meetings. At that time, it was unheard of for women to speak in adult meetings. She was convinced that women had an equal right to speak, however, and when the opportunity was given for public testimony at Gateshead, she went forward. It was the beginning of a tremendous ministry, as people were greatly challenged by her preaching. She married William Booth, a Methodist minister, in 1855, and they began the work of The Christian Mission in 1865. William preached to the poor and ragged and Catherine spoke to the wealthy, gaining support for their financially demanding ministry. She eventually began to hold her own campaigns. When the name was changed in 1878 to The Salvation Army and William Booth became known as the General, Catherine became known as the Mother of the Army. She was behind many of the changes in the new organization, designing the flag and bonnets for the ladies, and contributed to the Army's ideas on many important issues and matters of belief.