Ardeth Greene was born on March 19, 1931, in Cardston, Alberta, to Edwin Kent Greene and Julia Leavitt Greene.[1]: 9 Shortly after her birth her family moved to Glenwood, Alberta.[2] She was baptized into the LDS Church on April 4,1939 in the Cardston Temple.[1]: 40 In 1947, she underwent life-threatening surgery due to an ear infection.[1]: 64–65
Kapp was the second counselor to Ruth H. Funk in the church's Young Women General Presidency from 1972 to 1978. In April 1984, Kapp succeeded Elaine A. Cannon as the organization's president. During her tenure, Kapp had five different counselors, including Elaine L. Jack, Janette C. Hales, and Patricia T. Holland.[3] In 1992, Kapp was succeeded by Hales. For part of her time as Young Women general president, Russell M. Nelson was the organization's priesthood advisor. He would regularly seek Kapp's advice as he composed his talks for general conference.[4][citation needed] During Kapp's tenure, the Personal Progress program—which focused on preparing young women to enter the temple—was initiated.