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The Ursuline Academy of New Orleans
Founded in 1727 by the Sisters of the Order of Saint Ursula, the Ursuline Academy of New Orleans has the honor of being the oldest Catholic School as well as the oldest operational school for girls in the United States. The academy's core philosophy was that women's education was vital to progressing a civilized society while maintaining spiritual and just values. Source: (Ursuline Heritage, Ursuline Academy, n.d.) Photo: (Ursuline Academy, n.d.) -
Eighty students arrive at the Mount Holyoke Female Seminary
On this date, eighty women arrived at the Mount Holyoke Female Seminary. Founded by Mary Lyon, the seminary is renowned as one of the first colleges for women. Mary Lyon set Mount Holyoke apart from other seminaries at the time; she had innovative goals. Mary Lyon wanted a curriculum similar to men's colleges, with low tuition and rigorous entrance examinations to ensure women were prepared. Source (The Founding of Mount Holyoke Female Seminary, 2022) Photo: (The Legacy of Mary Lyon, 2022) -
University of Iowa admits men and women on an equal bias
The University has had the tradition of admitting men and women since its founding in 1847. In 1855, The University of Iowa was the first state university to admit men and women on an equal basis. In a time when higher education for women was not acceptable by societal standards, the University of Iowa served as a pioneer in shaping the way society viewed Women's secondary education. Source: (The University of Iowa, 2022) Photo: (The University of Iowa, 2022) -
The ratification of the 19th Amendment
The 19th Amendment granted women the right to vote. A resolution was submitted by congress in 1919 and then ratified by the states in 1920. Before 1919, the 19th amendment had been introduced 42 years in every congressional session but was ignored and voted down. Undoubtedly, the certification of the 19th amendment profoundly affected women's education by giving women more political influence over schooling policies. Source: (National Archives, 2021) Photo: (woman suffrage, 2021) -
Title IX of Education Amendments of 1972
Title IX was signed into law in 1972 by President Richard Nixon. "Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX) prohibits sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity) discrimination in any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance (Office for Civil Rights, 2021)." Photo: (A history of Title IX, 2021)