Feature for Women’s History Month: Anna Beahm Mow (1893-1985)

For Women’s History Month 2026, Newsline is offering a feature for each issue in March to celebrate women who have been leaders in Church of the Brethren history. In this issue, we celebrate Anna Beahm Mow, a mission worker, professor, influential writer and speaker, and inspiring spiritual leader.

J. Kenneth Kreider tells her story in the Brethren Press book A Dunker Guide to Brethren History (pp. 111-114). Here are excerpts, starting with a story of a time when she spoke at a youth gathering:

“Dressed in a plain black dress, black stockings, and white prayer covering, this short, stocky lady, Anna Mow, did not look terribly exciting to the teenagers. As she began speaking, an early illustration mentioned Elvis Presley; surprised, the youth wondered, ‘What does this lady know about Elvis?’ With inspiring anecdotes, comedy, and insight, this master communicator quickly had them all on the edge of their seats…. One of the lessons learned was illustrated by the remark of [one youth]… ‘Never again will I judge someone by their outward appearance.’ …

“Anna Beahm Mow was born on July 31, 1893, in Daleville, Va. Her parents were Isaac Newton Harvey (affectionately known as I.N.H. or Brother Beahm) and Mary Bucher Beahm. Her father was an educator and evangelist who traveled widely among the Brethren. He saw to it that she and her siblings received the best education available, including his own academic instruction. Her parents taught and lived a life of virtue, acceptance, and understanding. Her father, for example, never wanted to be dressed so nicely that he could not identify with the poorest parishioner in the congregation….

“She earned degrees from Manchester College and Bethany Bible School, and married Baxter M. Mow…. They both dreamed of service on the mission field in some distant land, but they were sent to the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia to carry out a ‘home mission’ assignment….

“After two years of dedicated service in Rappahannock County, Va., the Mows received a notice from the General Mission Board of the Church of the Brethren that there was an opening for them to go to India. Within a month, in October 1923, they arrived in Bombay.

“Their service in India coincided with the heroic efforts of the great Gandhi to achieve national independence from Great Britain by the seemingly unrealistic tactics of nonviolence and noncooperation with the occupier…. These ideas fit quite comfortably with the background of the Mows, fresh from the mountains of Virginia and the teachings of the Brethren. Consequently they became somewhat estranged from the majority of the foreign community living in India, but were accepted by the Indian community…. Their three children were born during the early years of their service in India….

“After 17 years on the Indian mission field … from 1940 to 1958 ‘Sister Anna’ taught courses in Christian education, missions, and biblical studies at Bethany Biblical Seminary…. Her hectic schedule and teaching and family duties also included scholarship. She authored 10 books that had wide appeal, as they sold by the tens of thousands….

“Sister Anna was one of the first women ordained in the Church of the Brethren and was a popular preacher and evangelist…. Not only was her teaching an electrifying influence on many of the future leaders of the church, but also her home was known as a sanctuary of fellowship for people from all over the world….

“Sister Anna was in constant demand…. Those who were privileged to hear her will never forget her contagious and bubbling enthusiasm, her simple, down-to-earth illustrations, practical logic, solid personification of Christan love toward all people, infectious humor, and her spontaneous, unique and distinctive laughter (sometimes lovingly referred to as a ‘cackle’)….

“Sister Anna’s rich and full life on this earth ended on July 7, 1985.”

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