Jiangxi Women Missionaries Collection

Woman's Foreign Missionary Society (WFMS) of the Methodist Episcopal Church (美以美會) was organised on 23 March 1869 in Boston, United States. It was formed in response to the need to reach the woman communities, who were considered to be only reachable by women. In 1871, the society merged with the Ladies’ China Missionary Society of Baltimore, had already begun its work in China as early as 1858. It was the same year, 1871, that WFMS commenced its missionary work in China, and in Jiujiang (Kiukaing, 九江) in 1872.

Mabel A. Woodruff, from New York, was appointed to Jiujiang, China by WFMS in 1910. During her time in Jiujiang, she was involved in the work of Knowles Bible Training School, as well as the evangelistic work and day schools.

Anna Edith Fredericks, also known as Edith Fredericks, was appointed from New York to Jiujiang, China by WFMS in 1915. During her time in JiuJiang, she engaged in evangelistic and executive work, including the Knowles Bible Training School, Rulison High School, as well as the evangelistic work and day schools. She also served as a field correspondent at various times during her tenure. In around 1939, she relocated to Philip House in Kowloon, Hong Kong, but continued to serve in Jiujiang.