Education History of Women in America

By bbaehman

  • First School For Women

    First School For Women
    A protestant denomination from Europe called Movarian missionaries, established the village of Salem in North Carolina. This village still exists today. Six years later, Movarian missionaries founded the first school for young women in 1772. This led to the founding of Salem College. Salem college is a liberal arts college for women.
    Source: (History & mission, (n.d.))

  • The Young Ladies’ Academy

    The Young Ladies’ Academy
    The Young Ladies Academy opened for women in Philadelphia. In 1792, Marie Caritat argued that women are citizens and like men, should get educational experience. In 1793, Antoine Lavoisier, came up with a plan for girls to attend primary and elementary schools. The Young Ladies’ Academy was then created, as other men were encouraged by all of the earlier success. The education at these schools helped win women the right to vote in later years.
    Source: (Young Ladies' Academy, 2013)

  • Hartford Female Seminary

    Hartford Female Seminary
    Hartford Female Seminary was founded by Catherine Beecher. This school was one of the first major educational institutes for women. It was also known for implementing then-racial programs for women, one of the first courses being physical education. Catherine Beecher is most well known for believing that a woman's role as an educator and moral guide for her family was the basis of a well ordered society.
    Source: (History of American Women, 2017)

  • Oberlin College

    Oberlin College
    The Rev. John J. Shipherd and Philo P. Stewart, a Presbyterian minister and a missionary, founded Oberlin in 1833. Oberlin was coeducational from the start in 1833, but it was not until 1837 that women were accepted into the baccalaureate program. This program was the program that granted bachelor’s degrees. Before this happened, they were restricted to diplomas from something called the Ladies Course.
    Source: (Oberlin College and Conservatory, 2021)

  • Vassar College

    Vassar College
    Mathew Vassar, founded Vassar College in 1861. He was a pioneer for women’s education and the study of liberal arts in the United States during this time. What was extraordinary about Vassar College, is it offered young women an educational experience equal to the best mens colleges up to this point in time. The top instructors and best equipment were put into effect for the best study and research.
    Source: (Vassar College, (n.d.))