Maude Elizabeth Charlesworth

Maude Elizabeth Charlesworth was born on September 13, 1865, in Limpsfield, Surrey, England and grew up in London. She was the youngest daughter of Maria and Samuel Charlesworth.  From an early age she had an intense interest in social welfare and service. 

At 18 years of age she gave up her middle-class lifestyle in order to serve in The Salvation Army and minister to the poor in London's slum neighborhoods. She actually became a “slum sister” actually living in slums while trying to reform them.

At 21, Maud married Ballington Booth the second son of William Booth, the founder of The Salvation Army. When the New York office of The Salvation Army was in need of fresh organizational and fund-raising skills, William Booth assigned this important post to the newlyweds. On April 18th, 1887, they arrived in New York. For eight years the young couple worked tirelessly to improve the finances and expand the services of The Salvation Army in the U.S.

In 1894, a family disagreement erupted.  General Booth ordered Ballington and Maud to return to England. They chose not to leave but did withdraw from the Salvation Army. March 8, 1896, they drew up a constitution for a new organization, the Volunteers of America. Thanks to a suggestion by Maud, the constitution included an article recognizing the equality of men and women in the volunteers of America. In six months the Volunteers established 140 posts with 400 commanding officers, 50 staff officers, 3 regiments, and 10 battalions.

Throughout her career, Maud acted as a catalyst for the betterment of the nation's prison system. She became a pioneer in the prison reform movement and was nicknamed the "Little Mother" of the prisoners because of her deep commitment to caring for and providing rights to prisoners. The group worked to train prisoners and to prepare them for civilian life.  Hope Houses were established; these were the first half way houses, a concept Maude developed. Sixty to seventy-five percent of the VPL prisoners made a successful transition to civilian life.

For 65 years Maud Ballington Booth was a tireless and courageous advocate for the poor, the abandoned, the elderly, the abused, prisoners and their families. She provided emergency assistance, social services, educational opportunities and leadership in helping individuals and families.