EMMA LOU THAYNE
B.A. English, University of Utah 1945
Phi Beta Kappa
M.A. Creative Writing, 1970
Thesis, Spaces in the Sage, first of 14 published books, latest The Place of Knowing, A Spiritual Autobiography, about my death experience, in audio on Amazon, in print 2010 by Gibbs Smith, Publisher.
Author, columnist, often anthologized, lyrics to much recorded and translated LDS hymn, Where Can I Turn for Peace?
Average 50 speaking engagements per year
Prayers at the Utah Legislature, House and Senate, 2002-2008
Teacher junior high, Olympus and Murray, 1947-1949
Part time instructor Department of English, University of Utah 1946-1986
Coach U of U Women’s tennis 1964-1967
Teaching currently in U of U Osher Lifelong Learning, “We Are Our Stories” for people over 50 writing about their lives. Fun!
Served on boards of
Utah Humanities Council
Utah Arts Council
Young Women’s General Board, LDS Church
Mountain Bell (Only woman)
Deseret News (Only woman with LDS General Authorities for 17 years)
U of U Alumni Board, member, vice president, 1967-1970
Emma Lou Thayne Center for Service and Learning, Salt Lake Community College, 1995- present
Steering Committee Women Concerned about Nuclear War
Utahns United Against the Nuclear Arms Race
Awards:
Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters, U of U, 2000
Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters, SLCC, 2003
David O. McKay Humanities Award, Brigham Young University, 1978
YWCA Outstanding Achievement Award, Arts and Communication, 1995
Governor’s Commission for Women and Families: Utah Women of Achievement and Service, 1998
Listing in A Directory of American Poets, 1976-Present
Contemporary Authors, 1977-Present
Utah Women’s Forum, 1988-Present
Honors in the Arts Award, Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce, 1981
Portrait in Abravanel Hall
Ranked # 3 Nationally, Senior (50) Women’s Doubles (Tennis) 1980
Ranked # 20 National Senior (50) Women’s Singles, 1983
Western Region Champion, Senior Women’s Singles and Doubles 1983
Lucky lady. Fed by friends and family like and unlike me.
Bionic – 29 surgeries, new knee, 2008, still playing!
Married to Realtor now-retired, Melvin E. Thayne, 12/27/49, still lucky, still happy
Sprees every birthday with 18 grandchildren, 8 Greats.
Wouldn’t go back a syllable.