Sister Elaine S. Dalton, general president of the Young Women for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 2008-13, is featured on the latest cover of Utah Valley Magazine. The article, which was published online on Friday, focuses on Dalton's role as a member of the Utah Valley University’s Board of Trustees.
According to the article, Sister Dalton began serving the Wolverines at the request of President Matt Holland, although she nearly turned him down. Dalton explains that after 16 years of service on the Young Women general board, she was anxious to spend more time with her 20 grandchildren. But considering her respect for President Holland, Sister Dalton had a change of heart. Now, as board chair, she helps to oversee “university curriculum, policies, degrees, facilities and bylaws,” Utah Valley Magazine reported.
A believer in education, Sister Dalton spoke in the article of the countless ways she uses her English degree from Brigham Young University.
“Numerous times as the Young Women general president, I would sit at my desk, bow my head and thank Heavenly Father for my education," she recalled. "I wrote many briefs and proposals for the brethren. My English major and my background in literature have served me well every day of my life.”
Encouraging young women to pursue their own degrees regardless of whether they may be single, married or raising children is a rewarding aspect of Sister Dalton’s work at UVU, the article said.
“This is a unique opportunity to continue to be with ‘my people,’” she told Utah Valley Magazine. “I get to cheer on these amazing young adults during a critical time of their lives.”
Although at first Sister Dalton didn’t think her experience at UVU could compare with being on the Young Women general board, the article said she has found the opposite to be true.
“Every experience is preparatory for the next,” she told Utah Valley Magazine. “This has been extremely rewarding at this stage of my life.”