Beverly LaHaye facts for kids

Beverly Jean Davenport LaHaye (born Ratcliffe; April 30, 1929 – April 14, 2024) was an American author and activist. She started a group called Concerned Women for America (CWA) in San Diego, California in 1979. This group focused on Christian values and family. Beverly was married to Tim LaHaye, a well-known Christian minister and author of the Left Behind books.

Early Life and Education

Beverly Jean was born in Detroit, Michigan, on April 30, 1929. Her parents were Lowell Ardo and Nellie Elizabeth Davenport. When Beverly was almost two, her father passed away. Her mother later married Daniel Ratcliffe, and Beverly used his last name.

She went to Highland Park Community High School and graduated in 1946. After high school, she attended Bob Jones University for one year. In 1947, she married Tim LaHaye. They were married for 69 years and had four children: Linda, Larry, Lee, and Lori. They also had nine grandchildren. Beverly LaHaye passed away in El Cajon, California, on April 14, 2024, at age 94.

Books She Wrote

Beverly LaHaye was also an author. In 1976, she wrote a book called The Spirit-Controlled Woman. This book was a companion to a book her husband had written. A new version of her book, The New Spirit-Controlled Woman, came out in 2005. She also wrote The Desires of a Woman's Heart in 1993.

Concerned Women for America (CWA)

Beverly LaHaye founded Concerned Women for America (CWA) in 1979. She started CWA because she felt that Christian women's voices were not being heard in discussions about women's rights. She believed that the family was very important to American culture.

CWA began with a rally in San Diego. Even though it started as a local group, it quickly grew across the country within two years. CWA describes itself as the largest public policy women's organization in the nation. It focuses on principles from the Bible.

When CWA moved its main office to Washington, D.C., Beverly LaHaye announced their goal. She said that CWA was there to show that not all women agreed with other feminist groups. CWA wanted to represent women who shared their Christian values.

CWA is a nonprofit organization. This means it works for a cause, not for profit. It is supported by many local groups all over the United States. By 2014, CWA had grown into a powerful group with over half a million members.