Emma Willard (1787-1870) was an American women’s rights activist and educator who pioneered the teaching of science, mathematics and social studies to young women. She dedicated her life to women’s higher education and worked in several schools. She founded the first school for women’s higher education, the Troy Female Seminary in Troy, New York. For those of you tuning in for the first time, welcome! Here’s the deal: Every weekday, we highlight the stories of iconic women in history you may not know about, but definitely should. We’re talking about women from around the world and throughout history. Each month is themed. This month we’re going back to school, highlighting educators and intellectuals.
This month, we're going back to school with stories of the most influential women educators in history.
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From Wonder Media Network, I’m Jenny Kaplan, and this is Womanica.
Today, we’re focusing on one of America’s pioneers of equal education. This scholar’s impact continues to empower young women even today.
Let’s talk about Emma Willard, founder of one of the first women’s schools for higher education in the United States.
Emma Hart was born on February 23, 1787 in Berlin, Connecticut. Emma was raised on a farm with a large family. Her parents had 17 children together. Emma’s mother was one of the few literate women in her community at the time. Her father staunchly believed in educating his daughters and sons equally.
With her family’s support, Emma sped through her grammar school education. She even attended secondary school, a rare opportunity for a girl.
Emma began her teaching career at 17. By 20, she’d moved to Middlebury, Vermont to teach at a women’s academy.
There, Emma met her first husband, Dr. John Willard, who was 28 years older than her. They had a son together and for a time, Emma retired from teaching.
Emma was housing her husband’s nephew, a student at Middlebury College, when she had something of an epiphany. Looking through his textbooks, she realized the vast differences in the ways girls and boys were educated. Emma even asked the president of Middlebury College if she could attend some science classes. He said no. So she taught herself both math and science courses, with the help of her nephew. She wanted to be able to add those classes to her curriculum.
Emma started writing to politicians and even the president about the “improvement of the education of females” in the country. She was determined to level the playing field in society by giving women access to advanced education.
In 1819, Emma’s calls were finally heard. The governor of New York, DeWitt Clinton, asked her to open a school in the state. And in 1821, Emma founded Troy Female Seminary. She managed the school successfully with her husband, until his death in 1825.
With the women’s academy in great shape and her leadership on the rise, Emma became a prominent figure in society.
13 years after the death of her husband, Emma fell in love again. This time, with Christopher Yates, a physician from Albany. The two got married in 1838 despite their on and off relationship and Emma’s friends warning her about him.
Caught up in newlywed bliss, Emma turned the school over to her son and daughter-in-law. She moved to Boston and lived with Christopher for less than a year. Their relationship immediately crumbled. Emma suspected Christopher was after her money. And a tumultuous 5 year separation battle began.
Finally in 1843, Emma was finally granted a divorce. Fortunate to still have her money and reputation, Emma traveled and wrote for the remainder of life. She opened a school in Greece and occasionally filled the role of principal at the school she’d founded.
Emma passed away in 1870. In 1892, the Troy Female Seminary was renamed the Emma Willard School. Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Jane Fonda and Kirsten Gillibrand are all former students.
All month, we’re honoring champions of education. For more on why we’re doing what we’re doing, check out our newsletter, Womannica Weekly. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram, @encyclopediawomannica and follow me directly on twitter @jennymkaplan.
Special thanks to Liz Kaplan, my favorite sister and co-creator.
Talk to you tomorrow!