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Born this day in Hampden, Maine
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Dorothea is sent to live with her aunt
Dorothea's grandmother sent her away to her aunt when she refused to conform to the wealthy lifestyle. It was here where she would meet her second cousin, Edward Bangs, who became attracted to her. He would later help Dorothea's dream of teaching come true by helping her find a location for a dame school. He later fell in love with her, and proposed, although she eventually refused. -
Dorothea begins teaching at age 14
Dorothea Dix would later become a well known teacher. She would later found the Dix Mansion, a school for girls, and a charity school. She would also write famous textbooks including Conversations on Common Things. -
Started running her own school of teaching
Dorothea started running her own school in 1821. She ran it successfully until health issues forced her to abandon her work. This was proof of how women could easily do the jobs that men did at that time. -
Published Conversations on Common Things
Dorothea published Conversations on Common Things in 1824. This was a textbook that was meant to be used in classes. This boosted her career in teaching, and was one of many textbooks she published throughout the course of her life. -
Poor health forced her to abandon teaching
Dorothea's poor health forced her to abandon a teaching career. Because of this, she traveled abroad, and returned to the USA two years later, where she was undecisive about her future. This ended four years later when she decided to teach Sunday school to the mentally ill, which would change her life forever. -
Visited mental institution to teach Sunday school
Dorothea went to teach Sunday school for the convicts in the mental institution. It was here that she discovered the appalling conditions in the institutions. This experience would encourage her to push for better conditions in mental institutions. -
Samuel Gridley Howe presented her "Memorial to the Massachusetts Legislature"
Dorothea sent this text to let the MAssachusetts legislature know of the appalling conditions in mental institutions. This presentation caused much controversy, and earned the support of Charles Sumner, and other public figures. The reform bill was passed by a large majority despite bitter debates. -
Asks for 12 million acres for use for the benefit of the mentally ill
Dorothea asked for 12 million acres of land for the use for the benefit of the mentally ill. If passed, it could have changed the treating of the mentally ill forever. Unfortunately, it was vetoed by Franklin Pierce in 1854. -
Franklin Pierce vetoes Dorothea's request.
President Pierce vetoed Dorothea's request for better treatment of the mentally ill. Discouraged, Dix went to Europe, where she found great disparity among pubic and private hospitals and great differences between countries. She suggested reform for these hospitals, and met with Pope Pius IX, who accepted her request and began reformation of hospitals. -
Appointed to oversee nursing staff in Civil War
Dorothea Dix was appointed to organize and outfit Union Army hospitals, as well as oversee the vast nursing staff required for the war. She was the first woman to ever receive such a high capacity of a federally appointed role. Her skills in this role were greatly needed for the war to manage the flow of supplies. -
Died this day
