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Bethlehem Female Seminary/ Moravian Seminary and College for Women
Bethlehem Female Seminary, now known as the Moravian Seminary and College for women, was established in Germantown, Pennsylvania becoming the first institute of higher education for women in the United States. It was founded by the Countess Benigna von Zinzendorf who was 17 years old at the time. In 1863, the state officially recognized the institution as a college and the college was then permitted to issue bachelor’s degrees. Source: (Johnson, 2020) -
Litchfield Female Academy
The Litchfield Female Academy in Litchfield, Connecticut, founded in 1792 by Sarah Pierce, was one of the most important institutions of female education in the United States. During the 30 years after its opening the school enrolled more than 2,000 students from 17 states and territories of the new republic, as well as Canada and the West Indies. Source: (Vermilyea, 2021) -
Bradford Academy
In 1803 Bradford Academy in Bradford, Massachusetts was the first institution of higher learning in Massachusetts to admit women. It was founded as a co-educational institution, but became exclusively for women in 1837. Source: (Women's History Blog, 2022) -
Phebe Sudlow
On June 19, 1874, Phebe made educational history. She was unanimously chosen by the Davenport board of education to be the new Superintendent of Davenport Schools, the first woman in the history of the United States to be hired at this level of school administration. Phebe argued with the board of education against gender-based teacher salaries, believing that men and women deserved equal pay for equal positions and experience. Source: (Davenport School Museum, 2022) -
National Association of University Women
The National Association of University Women, founded in 1923, is comprised of African American college and university women graduates. In 1910 the parent group of the NAUW, the College Alumnae Club, was organized by Mary Church Terrell, the first president, and twenty-four other other African American university graduates. The organization participated in activities to raise the standards of African American colleges and achieve women suffrage. Source: (NYPL, 2022)