“Anne C. Pingree Second Counselor, Relief Society General Presidency,” Ensign, May 2002, 108
Anne C. Pingree
Second Counselor, Relief Society General Presidency
Anne C. Pingree loves to read. But even more, she loves to help others learn to read.
While serving with her husband, George C. Pingree, as he presided over the Nigeria Port Harcourt Mission, one of Sister Pingree’s main focuses was promoting literacy, especially among auxiliary leaders. “I’ll never forget how joyful the sisters were when they learned to read. When they stood up in training meetings and read simple sentences about their leadership responsibility, the other women there would clap for them, they were so happy,” says Sister Pingree.
With a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Utah, Sister Pingree has been a literacy volunteer for Spanish-speaking elementary school children through the “I Can Read Program” and an English tutor for Laotian immigrants through Literacy Volunteers of America.
“I think the Lord gives you experiences in your life that prepare you for things that are coming in the future,” says Sister Pingree, who credits her literacy experiences with helping to prepare her for her new calling. As second counselor in the Relief Society general presidency, she hopes to continue to promote literacy as an ongoing emphasis of the Relief Society.
Sister Pingree adds that working with people from other countries has also prepared her in additional ways. “My perspective, my insight, and my understanding of worldwide women have increased. They taught me more about faith and testimony than I ever taught them.”
Prior service as a Relief Society general board member, a stake and ward Relief Society president, a counselor in the stake Young Women presidency, and a ward Primary president have also given Sister Pingree a great love and appreciation for the women of the Church. “I hope to reach every woman and help her feel she is important in the Lord’s eyes,” she says. “Prophets have told us that we, as covenant women, have a significant contribution to make in building the kingdom.”
Sister Pingree was born in Salt Lake City on 11 June 1941 to Ezra T. and Maude Erickson Clark. She and her husband married in the Salt Lake Temple in 1963 and have five children.