Major Leaders in Women's Education

Women's Education Leaders

There were several leader of women's education. One of the most prominent was Emma Willard (at left). Despite heavy criticism, Emma opened the first school for girls, The Troy Female Seminary, in Troy, NY in 1821. Another pioneer was Mary Lyon. Mary founded the first center of higher learning when she created the Mount Holyoke Female Seminary in 1837. Finally, a third leader was Prudence Crandall. In 1831, Prudence, who was a white Quaker, started a school for girls in Canterbury, CT. She also allowed the first African-American girl to enter her school and was later forced out of town because she allowed blacks to register.