Mary Lyon was a leader in women's education in the nineteenth century. It was a time when women's education was not considered important in the United States. The States did require each town to provide a school for children, but there were not enough teachers. Most young women were not able to continue their education. If they did, they often were not taught much except French, how to sew(缝)clothing, and music.
Mary Lyon felt that women's education was extremely important. She believed women were teachers both in the home and in the classroom. Mary opened a school for young women in Buckland. She suggested new ways of teaching, including holding discussion groups for students.
Then, Mary began to raise money for her dream school for the higher education of women. This school would own its own property. Its finances would be the responsibility of the directors. It would not depend on any person to continue. And, the students would share in cleaning and cooking to keep costs down.
In 1837, Mary Lyon founded Mount Holyoke Female Seminary. In 1893, 44 years after her death, under a state law, Mount Holyoke Female Seminary became the first college to offer women the same kind of education as men. Mary's efforts led to the spread of higher education for women in the United States. Her influence lasted as many students from her schools went out to teach others.
