Education for Women

Until the 1820's, American girls had few educational opportunities open to them beyond elementary school. The first school for girls, The Troy Female Seminary, became the model for a new type of women's school. In 1837, another women's school was created called Mount Holyoke Female Seminary, and Ohio's Oberlin College admitted four girls creating the first fully coeducational college.

There was a much greater struggle for African-American women getting an education. One school in Canterbury, Connecticut was established for girls, and then later just African-American girls, but it was forced to close in 1834.