The History of Educating Women in the US

By nawojcik

  • The Young Ladies Academy

    The first academy for girls opened in Philadelphia, called The Young Ladies Academy. The Academy was established by John Poor, who was a Harvard graduate. Girls studied various subjects, including writing, reading, math, and history. The establishment of this academy later led to the creation of other academies for girls. This also paved the way for women voting rights. (1700s – young ladies' academy of Philadelphia 2013)

  • Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell

    Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell
    Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell became the first woman to graduate from New York’s Geneva Medical College. She faced many obstacles in college but overcame them by opening a small clinic to treat poor women. Her accomplishments allowed many more women to become doctors and help improve women’s healthcare. It also allowed women to become professors at various medical schools. (Michals, 2015)

  • Ellen Swallow Richards

    Ellen Swallow Richards
    Ellen Swallow Richards becomes the first woman to attend MIT. She became a lifelong advocate for women’s education and professional opportunities. Being the first woman to attend MIT paved the road for many others. She opened a lab for women so others could continue their education. She also proved that women can be married and continue teaching. She founded the American Home Economics Association. (Ellen Swallow Richards '1870)

  • Ella Flagg Young

    She became the first woman superintendent of a large-city school system. She also became the first woman president of the NEA. She designed screening programs for students entering school and thought teachers needed more power in running schools. Her leadership skills helped create school governing bodies for teachers to discuss curriculum and for teachers to have time reserved for this. (Ella Flagg Young (1845–1918)).

  • Title IX

    Title IX of the Education Amendments Act prohibits sex discrimination. Title IX states “no person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance" (Parkay, 2020 pg 163) This allowed females to have the same opportunities as males.