Education and Women - General Information
Woman and Her Wishes - 1853
Thomas Wentworth Higginson. a 19th century activist and writer, was an advocate for women's rights. In this essay, first published in 1853 and addressed to the Massachusetts Constitutional Convention, Higginson presents an early argument for women's rights and particularly for equal education.
The Geography Lesson
19th century photograph shows girls studying at home, learning geography.
Dancing, as a Means of Physical Education
Mrs. Albert Webster, in 1851, writes of the advantages of dance in education, especially "the very best safeguard against the evils of over mental education."
Defoe, Daniel: Education of Women (1719)
From this essay: "I have often thought of it as one of the most barbarous customs in the world... that we deny the advantages of learning to women."
The Education of Freedmen, Part 2 (1879)
A detailed survey of the post-Civil War work by the churches in educating freedmen. Author: Harriet Beecher Stowe, of Uncle Tom's Cabin fame.
Educating Daisy
Elisabeth Showalter Muhlenfeld on the education of women in the 19th century South (US). Informative and, because this was originally a speech, informal.
"O Chyldren! geue eare your duties to learne"
Subtitle: "The education of upper-class Englishwomen in late medieval and early modern England." A bibliography compiled by Sharon Deborah Michalove.
Stoning to Death a Young Teacher
If you think violence in the schools is something new, read this account of the 1870 stoning of Etta Barstow in Canton, Massachusetts.
Stand Up for Her Rights
In this lesson plan from the New York Times for grades 6-12, students look at philosophies in different nations about the education of girls. The lesson has a special focus on girls in Afghanistan.
To the Teachers of Wisconsin
An essay, circa 1912, arguing that teachers, who educate male students to cast ballots, ought to themselves be allowed to vote.
Women and Western Culture Hypertextbook
Excellent course materials from the University of Arizona -- students post their papers on the web at the end of the course.
Women in America: Education
European travelers (including De Tocqueville, Dickens, Harriet Martineau) comment on American education. Dates range from 1828-1842.