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Shaker Name: Mary Lyon

Basic Work: Lyon was a chemist and educator with modest beginnings in rural Massachusetts. In her late teens she began teaching in Shelburne, Massachusetts where she developed a hunger to indulge in subjects that were solely taught at men’s institutions; mathematics, history and science. Lyon also became a touchstone for the development of Hartford Female Seminary founded by Catherine Beecher. Later she joined the staff of Ipswich Female Seminary as assistant to its founder and left the school five years later as its principal. During her time at Ipswich she began to develop the ideals of female education that would later give birth to her founding of Mount Holyoke Female Seminary. Her intent was to create a curriculum that would reach the same level of leading men’s institutions. She has also been tied to the cultural revival of Jonathan Edwards during the Second Great Awakening.

Key Work: The Founding of Mount Holyoke Female Seminary was the most progressive benchmark set during Lyon’s career as an educator. She was able to wrangle secure financial support which allowed for a large endowment and a modest tuition. The cost of attendance resulted in the education of hundreds of females from rural areas of Massachusetts as well as women from poor families. Mary Lyon also set in place a rigorous curriculum that revolted against the ornamental female education that was so typical at this time. She was a female that was able to vigorously fund-raise and explore various areas of study new and ground breaking to the female population. The result of Lyon’s institution was the creation of hundreds of broadly educated females whom were then able to better educate the growing population around them and to break the barriers that had been set forth by predominately male population.

Key personnel: Lyon’s work was financially assisted by clerical support. She was able to develop the substantial endowment for Mount Holyoke with the financial backing from the church.

Why/How a Shaker? Mary Lyon was able to establish an institution that was on par with the academic excellence being achieved by its predominately male counterparts almost one hundred years before women gained the right to vote in the United States. She was able to successfully raise the funds that also enabled females from modest beginnings to endure rigorous studies at the Seminary. Also, the curriculum at Mount Holyoke lacked the “ornamental studies”, such as dancing, that female institutions required during this time. Lyon’s accomplishments pushed open the door for future equality in the education of females and denounced the educational standards of her time.

Links: [|www.mtholyoke.edu]