October is Women’s History Month—a time to celebrate the achievements and contributions of women throughout history and today. Here are four Salvationist women from the Canada and Bermuda Territory who are making an impact in their corps and communities.

Andrea Petkau, British Columbia Division

As the integrated mission supervisor at The Willows Church and Family Life Centre in Langley, B.C., Andrea Petkau embraced a holistic approach to ministry, building bridges between the corps and community.

“The Salvation Army’s posture of servant leadership and open-arm approach to faith expression has always been what inspired me to be a soldier, and to serve as an employee and volunteer,” she says.

Petkau studied social work at Booth University College in Winnipeg, and her previous experience working in child protection prepared her to work in community service through The Salvation Army.

While overseeing The Willows Family Life Centre, Petkau launched and championed many new initiatives in the community that met the practical needs of local families. She sought to help her church congregation extend hospitality by engaging in outreach programs, such as the Willowbuds parent-tot drop in; BRAVE, for vulnerable teens; PEACE, for children and their mothers who have left violence; and support for The Willows’ Pathway of Hope participants.

Petkau’s faith journey includes being an organ transplant recipient. Facing this challenge as a young mom has given her compassion for those working through times of hardship and increased her ability to come alongside and build trusting relationships with those who are suffering. This capacity to embody a space of grace infused the Life Centre with non-judgmental acceptance. Petkau shared how community members could easily get involved in faith-based activities, such as Messy Church, women’s ministry or youth programming.

While Petkau has recently transitioned out of this supervisor role and will be working in the field of education at a local Christian school, she continues to be a vital part of The Willows’ mission board and blesses the church with her many creative gifts and a passion to see wholehearted transformation in the lives of people.

“We can easily take for granted how forward-thinking The Salvation Army is,” Petkau says. “The opportunities that have been available to us as women far exceed many other denominations in our current Christian culture. While there is always room for improvement and more strides toward equity, I think we can be proud of how we practise our mission in today’s world.

“My hope is that as we grow and reach more people within our wider communities, that we are able to further extend our forward-thinking mindset in creating inclusive and equitable opportunities for individuals to serve and use their gifts in God’s kingdom work.”

—Captain Renee McFadden 

Dianna Bussey, Prairies and Northern Territories Division

Dianna Bussey has led The Salvation Army’s correctional and justice services (CJS) work in Winnipeg with passion and creativity for more than 20 years.

“I think the Lord wired me to have issues of social justice burn in my heart, because that has been the case for as long as I can remember,” she says. “Injustices, power imbalances, system failures and suffering have always drawn my attention. My faith provides the lens by which to see and seek solutions—Micah 6:8 is my life verse.” 

Bussey grew up in Nelson, B.C., where she committed her life to Christ as a teenager after a friend invited her to youth councils, and became a senior soldier.

While studying at Booth University College (then known as Catherine Booth Bible College), she and another student designed a court diversion program as part of her social work practicum, with the guidance of Majors Al and Barbara Bain—who then hired her after she graduated.

The program grew to encompass more CJS areas: shoplifting, property crimes and sexual exploitation, including a sex-buyer accountability program and SNOW (Safe Night Off Winnipeg streets), an evening of pampering for women working in the sex industry.

“As I facilitated these programs, I met hundreds of people caught up in exploitation from all angles and gained a deeper understanding of modern slavery and human trafficking (MSHT), which is one of the fastest-growing crimes in the world,” she says. “Although it is present in just about every sector, we, as an Army, are responding with awareness and education, prevention and outreach, survivor support services, and partnerships and advocacy—all around our territory and the world.

“This is my passion—using restorative justice practices wherever there is conflict and hurt, and fighting to end modern slavery and human trafficking in all forms. Often the two are related.”

Bussey developed Sarah’s Place, a transitional housing program for women who have experienced exploitation and trauma, which opened in 2022. More than a shelter, it’s a place for women to heal.

“Dianna Bussey has been a force for good for many years in Winnipeg, but her influence goes well beyond provincial borders,” says Lt-Colonel Fred Waters, regional director—social services, Prairies and Northern Territories Division. “Determined and passionate, she leads with grace and compassion, making a deep impact on the people she and her team serve on a daily basis.” 

Bella Bullock, Ontario Division

Bella Bullock might be young, but she’s already setting an example for others. At just 16 years old, Bullock started a youth ministry at her corps, South Muskoka Ministries in Bracebridge, Ont., creating a space for young people to explore or deepen their faith. The evenings included games, sports, music, discussion and prayer.

"I felt a calling to take part in leading the youth ministries because I’ve noticed the impact that faith can have on a person’s life,” she says. “Knowing that I’m never truly alone helped me through the depression and anxiety I’ve experienced, and I wanted to bring that peace and comfort to some of my classmates and friends.”

Along with these events, Bullock invited friends to join her for the Alpha Youth series, held in conjunction with the regular Alpha course at the church, and about 20 attended on different nights throughout the program. 

“To see Bella engage with her community, her church and her peers has been so encouraging for us, tasked with the care and development of new leaders,” says Captain Brandon Keeping, corps officer in Bracebridge. “She has been so eager to find and develop new ways to connect with her friends, go deeper into faith and have fun.

“Bella has a hunger for deeper connection with Jesus and wants that for others as well. To see her engage in hard conversations about faith with her close friends, from a place of vulnerability and patience, is something we all could use a bit more of. My wife, Captain April, and I are happy to serve alongside Bella as we disciple and love our young people.”

Bullock is also a member of International Social Justice Girls (ISJG), a global network of young Salvationist women who come together to learn and advocate on issues aligned with the United Nations’ (UN) Sustainable Development Goals. She was featured in “But I’m Just a Girl,” a video created for a Salvation Army parallel event at the 69th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69), about the impact of gender stereotypes.

“My hope for the future is that my generation can feel the blessing and love of God and that we find it in our hearts to make changes that are positive,” says Bullock. “I want to encourage The Salvation Army to notice the younger generation’s readiness for faith. Please work hard to help us join the movement, because we have some powerful plans and voices.” 

Angela Fubler, Bermuda Region, Atlantic Division

Angela Fubler is a third-generation Salvationist who attends North Street Citadel in Hamilton, Bermuda, where she is a collaborative, visionary leader. She is deeply involved in the life of the corps, and over the years has served as young people’s sergeantmajor, chair of the building committee, and on the praise and worship team. More recently, she led a community health and wellness program, made possible through an innovation grant, called Come to the Well.

“After the pandemic, there was such a feeling of sadness, loss and disorientation among many people in our community,” she says. “We wanted to equip participants with the skills, resources and confidence to address basic life experiences, make healthier decisions and form new friendships.” The program has focused primarily on active seniors, recognizing that this population is growing quickly.

Fubler is also a strong advocate for leadership development, and helps to plan and lead training for Salvationists across the island, to promote corps engagement.

“We embedded biblical principles into action learning practices, along with Salvation Army history, group planning, peer support, spiritual guidance and personal reflection,” she says. “It was exciting and incredibly inspiring to see and feel God at work in our corps.”

Major Cathy Simms, area commander for the Bermuda Region, says Fubler has a big-picture mindset. “She is often assessing what we do as the church, and how we can be more effective and impactful in our ministries, encouraging a greater collaboration among groups within the church,” she says. “She’s not afraid to challenge the status quo; she inspires us to be our best and offer our best in service to our community.” 

Fubler has a passion for education and is the founder and owner of Chatmore British International School. She was inspired to create a learning environment that values curiosity after her son was criticized for asking too many questions in school.

She brings her professional skills—innovation, strategic thinking, adaptability—to her corps, and encourages The Salvation Army to move forward in the same way.

“The Salvation Army now faces an opportunity open to anyone willing to act. What we need to decide is if we will cling to familiar rituals or step forward as the next generation, preserving our doctrines while pursuing salvation work—whatever it takes,” she says. “Are we prepared to revise comfortable traditions, redirect resources and adopt new tools to advance the mission? As Catherine Booth said, ‘There is no changing the future without disturbing the present.’ ”