GUYANESE Sheran Harper, wife of former national and West Indies cricketer Roger Harper, has been elected as the new Worldwide President of the global Anglican mission agency Mothers’ Union, making her the first person from outside the British Isles to hold the position.

She will represent and lead the 142 years old movement’s four million members in 84 countries from January 2019, when she takes over from Lynne Tembey, who will step down in December.

“I am delighted to accept the role of Worldwide President for the new triennium,” Harper said in a report in the Anglican Cummunion News Service. “I feel very excited and privileged and I extend my heartfelt gratitude to our members who voted to make this dream a reality.

Born in the United Kingdom, Harper grew up in Guyana where she studied at the University of the West Indies School of Physical Therapy. She undertook her Clinical Practice at Guy’s Hospital in London and then worked with the Ministry of Health in Guyana where she opened and managed new physiotherapy departments in hospitals throughout the country and lectured on the rehabilitation therapists’ programme.

She stopped working in this area 17 years ago to focus on her calling of serving Mothers’ Union. She has served as a volunteer at all levels from parish, diocese and province and is currently a Worldwide Trustee.

Mothers’ Union is an international Christian, British registered charity that seeks to support families worldwide. Its members are not all mothers or even all women, as there are many parents, men, widows, singles and grandparents involved in its work. Its main aim is to support monogamous marriage and family life, especially through times of adversity
It was established through a Royal Charter – an ancient legal structure overseen by the Privy Council. The Privy Council, the highest level of the British Government responsible for matters reserved to the Monarch, approved the new constitution when it met in April this year, chaired by Queen Elizabeth.

Until recently, Harper was the worldwide parenting trainer where she rolled out Mothers’ Union parenting programmes in 23 countries across the globe. Her election was announced by Mothers’ Union Chief Executive, Bev Jullien during a Facebook Live session. “We are extremely excited with the results”, Jullien said. “Not only will Sheran bring her global expertise, but we have a Board that is rich in diversity with eight different nationalities and also, for the first time, includes a man.”