Emma Lou Thayne
Emma Lou Thayne has written thirteen books of poetry, fiction, essays, and travel stories as well as the hymn, “Where Can I Turn for Peace?” She has been widely anthologized and has published internationally on kinship and peace among people and nations. She has received numerous honors and awards, including the David O. McKay Humanities Award, the Association for Mormon Letters award for poetry, and an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from the University of Utah. A service center has also been named in her honor—The Emma Lou Thayne Community Service Center.
Emma Lou has taught English and was the women’s tennis coach at the University of Utah. She has been married to Mel Thayne for sixty years and has five daughters, eighteen grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.
“. . . our stories are what make the difference, and if we can tell them honestly we can hope to help each other. In the end, we have nothing to offer each other but our stories.”
“He answers privately, reaches my reaching. In my Gethsemane, Savior and Friend.”