# 1206 - 1962 4c Higher Education
Opening Of Mount Holyoke
Mary Lyon was born on February 28, 1797, near Buckland, Massachusetts. As a child, Lyon attended local schools off and on, though she eventually would teach at those schools. Her irregular education as a child inspired her to a lifelong drive to give young girls from poor families better educational opportunities than she had.
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At a time when few women received even basic instruction, Lyon determined to learn as much as she could. She began teaching when she was just 17 years old and soon realized she needed more education herself. Lyon said she gained “knowledge by the handfuls,” by attending lectures and taking courses at colleges for men (sometimes a three-day trip). As she continued to learn and teach, she began envisioning a school that offered rigorous academics and was available to women from all walks of life.
In the midst of a severe economic depression, Lyon wrote ads, raised money, convinced businessmen to support her, created a curriculum, selected the school’s location, oversaw construction of the building, hired teachers, and chose students. She was ridiculed for her ambition and told she was wasting her time. In spite of the hard economic times, she was able to persuade wealthy, influential men to back her college for women. In addition to securing financial backing, Lyon designed the building the school would be housed in and developed the curriculum.
Opening Of Mount Holyoke
Mary Lyon was born on February 28, 1797, near Buckland, Massachusetts. As a child, Lyon attended local schools off and on, though she eventually would teach at those schools. Her irregular education as a child inspired her to a lifelong drive to give young girls from poor families better educational opportunities than she had.
Want to make your own This Day in History album? Click here to get started. |
At a time when few women received even basic instruction, Lyon determined to learn as much as she could. She began teaching when she was just 17 years old and soon realized she needed more education herself. Lyon said she gained “knowledge by the handfuls,” by attending lectures and taking courses at colleges for men (sometimes a three-day trip). As she continued to learn and teach, she began envisioning a school that offered rigorous academics and was available to women from all walks of life.
In the midst of a severe economic depression, Lyon wrote ads, raised money, convinced businessmen to support her, created a curriculum, selected the school’s location, oversaw construction of the building, hired teachers, and chose students. She was ridiculed for her ambition and told she was wasting her time. In spite of the hard economic times, she was able to persuade wealthy, influential men to back her college for women. In addition to securing financial backing, Lyon designed the building the school would be housed in and developed the curriculum.