Kathleen H. Hughes

Who is Kathleen H. Hughes?

Kathleen Hurst Hughes was, from 2002 to 2007, the first counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Before filling this role for her church, she had served in the Relief Society, Primary, and Sunday School, as well as both a ward Young Women president and as a member of the Young Women general board.

Kathleen Hurst was born in Tooele, Utah, to William Daly Hurst and Emma Johanson. She married writer Dean Hughes on November 23, 1966 in the Salt Lake Temple; they have three children and nine grandchildren.

Hughes earned her bachelor’s degree in English Education from Weber State College in 1966 and earned her master’s degree in Special Education from Central Missouri State University in 1974. She had a career in education for about 30 years, including being personnel director, assistant superintendent and director of special education for the Provo School District. She also worked as director of the Leadership Associates Program Center for the Improvement of Teacher Education and Schooling for Brigham Young University's Brigham Young University-Public School Partnership.

Hughes is a Utah-based member of the National Network for Educational Renewal.