Women’s History Month: The Unsung Heroines of Higher Education
Image source: Mass Moments, 'First Students Arrive at Mt. Holyoke Seminary.' Retrieved from MassMoments.org.
Higher education is full of stories of brilliant minds, innovative thinkers, and trailblazing leaders. But for much of history, the contributions of women were often overlooked, dismissed, or outright erased. The women we’re about to celebrate didn’t just participate in higher education—they transformed it. These unsung heroines fought for access, redefined curricula, and built institutions from the ground up, all while challenging deeply ingrained societal norms.
Their impact is still felt today, shaping the way we learn, teach, and innovate. So, as we recognize Women’s History Month, let’s give these pioneers the recognition they deserve
Mary Lyon (1797–1849): The Architect of Women’s Higher Education
Achievement: Founded Mount Holyoke Female Seminary (now Mount Holyoke College) in 1837, the first women's college in the U.S.[¹]
Impact: In an era when women’s education was limited to basic literacy and domestic skills, Mary Lyon envisioned something radically different—a rigorous academic program on par with men’s colleges. She designed a curriculum that emphasized mathematics, science, and philosophy, proving that women were just as capable as men of intellectual pursuits. Lyon also prioritized affordability, making Mount Holyoke accessible to women from modest backgrounds. She believed education wasn’t just about personal betterment—it was about societal progress. Her model inspired the creation of other women’s colleges, helping to pave the way for the integration of women into higher education.
Legacy: Today, women make up the majority of college students in the U.S. Lyon’s vision laid the groundwork for this reality.
Emma Willard (1787–1870): The Advocate for Women’s Intellectual Equality
Achievement: Authored A Plan for Improving Female Education in 1819, a groundbreaking proposal advocating for women's access to higher education, which led to the establishment of the Troy Female Seminary in 1821.[²]
Impact: At a time when women's education was limited, Emma Willard challenged societal norms by asserting that women deserved the same educational opportunities as men. Her 1819 publication outlined a comprehensive curriculum for women, emphasizing subjects like mathematics, science, and philosophy. This proposal caught the attention of New York Governor DeWitt Clinton, who supported her in establishing the Troy Female Seminary. The institution became a model for women's education, demonstrating that women could excel in rigorous academic disciplines.
Legacy: Every woman who studies algebra, geometry, or history today has Emma Willard to thank.
Georgiana Simpson (1865–1944): The First African American Woman Ph.D.
Achievement: In 1921, she became the first African American woman to earn a Ph.D. in the United States.[⁴]
Impact: Georgiana Simpson’s journey through academia was met with hostility. When she enrolled at the University of Chicago in the early 1900s, white students protested her presence in the dormitory, forcing her to complete her degree as a non-residential student.[⁵] Despite these barriers, she persisted, earning a doctoral degree in German philology—a field dominated by white men. She later became a professor, mentoring students and advocating for greater representation of Black scholars in academia.
Legacy: Simpson’s perseverance paved the way for generations of Black scholars, despite the systemic barriers she faced. Her achievements have inspired ongoing efforts to support and uplift Black women in academia, including student organizations and commemorations at the University of Chicago. Though challenges remain, her legacy continues to foster a growing community of Black women scholars who strive for excellence and break barriers in higher education.
Evalyn Bates (1907–2010): The Pioneer of Adult Education
Achievement: Co-founder of Goddard College’s Adult Degree Program in 1963, a model for low-residency and nontraditional education.[⁶]
Impact: Long before online learning and remote degrees became mainstream, Evalyn Bates recognized that not all students could follow the traditional path of full-time, on-campus study. She developed a low-residency education model that allowed adults to pursue degrees while balancing work and family responsibilities.[⁷] Her program became a blueprint for modern online education, flexible degree programs, and competency-based learning.
Legacy: The millions of students who earn degrees online or through flexible programs today owe a debt to Bates’s innovative thinking (we have several grateful learners on the EduCred Services’ Team).
Una B. Herrick (1863–1950): The Champion of Women’s Vocational Training
Achievement: First Dean of Women at Montana State College (now Montana State University).[⁸]
Impact: While many early women’s educators focused on liberal arts and sciences, Una B. Herrick understood that financial independence was key to women’s empowerment. She advocated for women’s vocational training, ensuring they had access to careers beyond traditional domestic roles.[⁹] Herrick also worked to establish scholarships and financial aid programs specifically for female students, helping to remove economic barriers to education.
Legacy: The growing presence of women in STEM and trade fields today is rooted in Herrick’s push for career-focused education.
Why These Stories Matter
Higher education today looks vastly different from when these women were fighting for their place at the table. Women outnumber men in college enrollment, and institutions actively seek to support diverse student bodies. But the struggles of these early pioneers remind us that progress doesn’t happen by accident—it happens because people challenge the status quo.
Their battles aren’t entirely over, either. Women still face barriers in leadership roles within academia, with only about 30% of college presidents being female. Fields like engineering, computer science, and economics continue to have significant gender disparities. And first-generation college students—many of whom are women—still struggle with access and affordability. But history has shown that when women enter spaces they were once excluded from, they change them for the better. So, during Women’s History Month (and every month, honestly), let’s not just remember these unsung heroines—let’s continue their fight. After all, education isn’t just about learning from history—it’s about making it.
Mount Holyoke College. “Mary Lyon.” Mount Holyoke College. https://offices.mtholyoke.edu/marylyon
Emma Willard School. “History.” Emma Willard School. https://www.emmawillard.org/about/history
Britannica. “Emma Willard.” Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Emma-Willard
University of Chicago News. “100 Years Ago, Georgiana Simpson Made History as First Black Woman to Graduate with a Ph.D.” University of Chicago. https://news.uchicago.edu/story/100-years-ago-georgiana-simpson-made-history-first-black-woman-graduate-phd
University of Chicago Library. “Integrating Life and Mind: Georgiana Simpson.” University of Chicago Library. https://www.lib.uchicago.edu/collex/exhibits/integrating-life-mind/future-intellectuals-georgiana-simpson-ab-1911-phd-1921
Vermont Business Magazine. “Founder of Adult Education Program, Evalyn Bates, to Receive Posthumous Doctorate Degree.” Vermont Business Magazine. https://vermontbiz.com/people/august/founder-adult-education-program-evalyn-bates-receive-posthumous-doctorate-degree
The Chronicle of Higher Education. “Goddard College’s Unconventional Path to Survival.” The Chronicle of Higher Education. https://www.chronicle.com/article/goddard-colleges-unconventional-path-to-survival
Montana State University. “Extraordinary Women of Montana State: Una B. Herrick.” Montana State University. https://www.montana.edu/president/extraordinarywomen/eow_profiles/herrick.html
Montana State University. “Herrick Hall.” Montana State University. https://www.montana.edu/hhd/locations/herrick.html