Mother's Union

The Mothers’ Union in Kenya traces its origins back to 1918 at All Saints’ Cathedral, initially involving only European women. It wasn’t until March 4, 1956, that African women were first enrolled as members at Mwongoiya Church, now part of the Anglican Diocese of Mount Kenya South. This inclusion was significantly influenced by Mrs. Gladys Beecher, wife of Bishop Leonard Beecher, who was instrumental in expanding the Mothers’ Union to African women. She organized a notable gathering at All Saints’ Cathedral in Nairobi, where Mrs. Fisher, the wife of the then Archbishop of Canterbury, addressed both European and African members.

Under Mrs. Beecher’s guidance, the Mothers’ Union flourished, establishing connections between members in Kenya and Tanzania through periodic meetings. Upon the retirement of the Archbishop and Mrs. Beecher, and the subsequent division of the Church of the Province of East Africa into the Provinces of Kenya and Tanzania, Archbishop Olang’ was appointed as the first Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Kenya (CPK). His wife, Mrs. Eseri Olang’, took over the leadership of the Mothers’ Union in Kenya. Traditionally, the wives of ACK Bishops have since taken on the role of leading the Mothers’ Union at the diocesan level.