As International Women’s Month celebrates trailblazing women throughout history, it is fitting to honour Mary Sumner, the founder of the Mothers’ Union, whose legacy began locally in Old Alresford.

Born Mary Elizabeth Heywood in 1828 in Lancashire, she moved to Old Alresford in 1851 when her husband, Rev George Sumner, became rector of St Mary’s Church.

While raising their three children - Margaret, Louise, and George (later a well-known artist) - Mary became acutely aware of the challenges of motherhood and the importance of instilling Christian values in family life.

Inspired by the birth of her first grandchild in 1876 she held the first Mothers’ Union meeting in the drawing room of Old Alresford rectory. She called on women of all social classes to support one another, a radical idea at the time.

Though initially nervous, she found her voice, and by 1885, the movement had grown beyond Hampshire. That year, she was invited to speak at a Church Congress in Portsmouth, an extraordinary moment for a woman in an era when public speaking was dominated by men.

Her influence grew, and by 1892, the Mothers’ Union had 60,000 members across 28 dioceses, expanding across the British Empire to New Zealand, Canada, and India.

In 1897, Queen Victoria became its patron, and by the early 20th century, the Mothers’ Union counted 169,000 members in its ranks and had become one of the most influential women’s organisations in the Anglican Church, shaping policies on family welfare and moral education.

Today, it operates in more than 80 countries and champions women’s empowerment and social justice.

Old Alresford remains central to her story, with a dedicated chapel, a stained-glass window, and a plaque at St Mary’s Church.

As we mark International Women’s Month, Mary Sumner’s vision, born in a Hampshire village, continues to change lives worldwide.