Florence was born September 12, 1861 in the small village of Blaina, deep within the South Wales Valleys of England. She was the eldest daughter of a physician, Dr. Isabell Hawker Soper, and his wife, Jane Eleanor Levick Soper, who died when Florence was nine years old. Florence had a sister, Evelyn Mary, and a brother Frederick. She was a gifted child who loved reading and music. However, she dreamt of becoming a physician like her beloved father.

Upon graduation from secondary school, Florence traveled to London to visit her two aunts. They invited her to attend a Salvation Army meeting. Following an impassioned message by Catherine Booth, Florence responded to the call to give her life to Christ. She became acquainted with the Booth family and especially their eldest child, Bramwell. By 1881, Florence had joined the Army, become an officer (pastor) and accompanied the Booth’s eldest daughter, Catherine (Katie), to open The Salvation Army’s work in France.

Bramwell (the then-26-year-old Chief of the Staff) soon asked Florence to marry him. Her father, Dr. Soper, initially opposed the marriage. But later, on October 12, 1882, General William Booth performed the marriage ceremony at the Clapton Congress Hall before a crowd of 6,000 Salvationists.

Florence Booth became the founding pioneer of The Salvation Army’s social work for women. As Florence and her husband witnessed the misery and hopelessness of women living on the streets of London, they were determined to do something about it. In 1884, Florence launched the Women’s Social Work program from a small house on Hanbury Street in Whitechapel London, naming it the Rescue Home. For the next 28 years, Florence Booth led the Army’s social work until her husband, Bramwell, became General upon the death of his father on August 20, 1912.

Florence and Bramwell raised five daughters and two sons. There are Salvation Army leaders today who trace their heritage back to Florence and Bramwell Booth.

At age 95, Florence Soper Booth died on June 10, 1957. She is buried next to her beloved husband in the historic Salvation Army section of Abney Park Cemetery in London.

Florence’s response to a call and sacrificial life required both a steadfast commitment to Christ and a desire to follow his direction.

So What?

Are you willing to put your faith in Christ and let Him direct your path? It makes all the difference!