Sister Eubank Encourages Women to Become Global Citizens

Sister Sharon Eubank of the Relief Society general presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is calling on women to become global citizens.

“I like this topic because we're talking about becoming global citizens. And I hope that every single one of us walks out of here with something in your heart that you care a lot about what you're going to do," said Sister Eubank.

Downloadable video: SOTs

“I have a very interesting position of being in the leadership of two global organizations,” said Sister Eubank. “We now have 7.5 million members [of the Relief Society] in 162 countries and think of the leadership that they provide in 33,000 congregations.”

The Church leader, who is also president of Latter-day Saint Charities, addressed a group of women about the status of women worldwide. She spoke on the Utah Valley University campus in Orem, Utah, on Wednesday evening, February 19, 2020.

“We work in 189 countries. Every year we do more than 2,000 projects. We work with partnerships from the United Nations all the way down to midwife associations,” said Sister Eubank.

She joined Dr. Valerie M. Hudson, distinguished professor at the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University, for the Utah Women’s Leadership Speaker and Dialogue Series event titled “The Status of Women Worldwide.”

Sister Eubank said global organizations can “aggregate tiny efforts into a big impact” and cross borders. But she believes people are the most effective when they serve where they live.

“You’ve got global organizations, you’ve got grassroots organizations, but I never want to discount the power of individuals themselves to create change at that family level, and the dynamics of what’s going on in our own families,” she explained. “I think that changes the world.”

“We are not just becoming informed about the status of women worldwide — each of us can walk out of the hall this evening with an idea or two of something specific we ourselves can do to affect a cause we care about,” said the leader of the Church’s humanitarian arm.

Dr. Hudson discussed research that shows the oppression of women in certain parts of the world. “What you do to your women you do to your nation-state.”

The professor noted that there are now 19 nations that have very abnormal sex ratios favoring males, which means that there are more men than women in those countries.

Sister Eubank said men and women should work together. “I’m dedicated to the idea that it is the interdependence of men and women — particularly when it’s focused on the rising generation — that is what creates change.”

The leader in the global church concedes that there are circumstances, such as war and disaster, that may prevent people from helping others.

“I have to trust that God sees those people,” said Sister Eubank. “He hears their prayers, and He responds in ways that are godly and divine. I’m committed that I will use my energy and my power to do everything that I can and then count on Him.”

Watch a broadcast of the event here.