Page 21 - All About History - Issue 12-14

Education

Emma Willard
NEIL DEGRASSE TYSON AMERICAN 1787-1870

AMERICAN 1958- Though it was still relatively rare for
women in her time, Willard received
The Harvard graduate first became fascinated with a good education from a young age
the stars aged nine while on a visit to Pennsylvania thanks to a liberal father who believed
she deserved the same opportunities
when he saw the stars in all their glory. He studied up
as men. This liberal spirit stayed
on astronomy and by the age of 15 had given his first with Willard throughout her life,
lecture on the subject. After majoring in physics as she worked towards providing
He at Harvard and subsequently gaining a equal education and rights for women.
regularly doctorate on the subject, deGrasse Tyson Through petitioning politicians,
writing pamphlets and even soliciting
participates in entered the media, first through writing the help of former US presidents
Reddit’s AMAs (Ask Me books and magazine articles and then Thomas Jefferson and John Adams,
Anything) where he is through television programmes. His Willard was eventually granted
responsible for three educational yet accessible style has funds to found a school.
of the ten most brought light to the star system and Willard’s female seminary
in Troy, New York,
popular posts the planets for millions. was founded in
September 1821.
Anne Sullivan Friedrich Fröbel At the age of 17,
AMERICAN 1866-1936 GERMAN 1782-1852 Willard became a
Dubbed a “miracle worker” by Fröbel is credited with founding the teacher at the academy
none other than Mark Twain, first ‘Kindergarten’, or primary school. she attended, only two
Sullivan refined the education He understood that the development of years after starting her
of visually impaired and deaf young minds, particularly toddlers, played
children. While working with a vital role in later life. His Kindergarten, studies there
her student, a young deaf coined in 1840 and literally meaning
and blind girl named Helen ‘children’s garden’, aimed to encourage
Keller, Sullivan – who herself learning through play and creativity,
was visually impaired – had to communicate taking an interactive approach to draw
by tapping and drawing out words along the out the students’ full potential. Fröbel’s
pupil’s palm, painstakingly teaching her words system employed female teachers,
she could neither read nor hear. After four believing that their experience in
years Keller could read Braille, communicate nurturing their own children
effectively through sign language and before could be successfully
long was developing her ability to speak properly brought into the classroom.
for the first time. Sullivan’s success with Keller This in turn encouraged
became famous around the world and gave hope more women to choose
to millions. teaching as a career.
Jane Addams David
AMERICAN 1860-1935 Attenborough
Addams believed a good BRITISH 1926-
education makes a good When he was first offered a
citizen, and that this place on a training course with
opportunity should be open the BBC television department in
to students of all genders, 1950 Attenborough didn’t even own a
races and backgrounds. A television. He accepted, though, beginning
staunch supporter of equal rights a broadcasting relationship that is still © Alamy; Corbis; Look and Learn
for all, Addams was at the heart going strong today and has provided
of the female emancipation and entertainment and education to millions
other progressive movements within around the world. His programmes on
the US at the beginning of the 20th natural history and the planet, such as the
century. Teaching was just one facet of Life series and Planet Earth have been highly
her broader approach to social influential and inspired
equality, which she many to learn
promoted through more about
her work with Hull the world
House in Chicago. around
This community us.
settlement house
aimed to educate
and support
the generally
poorer immigrant Addams was named
population within a co-winner of the
the city, using 1931 Nobel Peace Prize
help from middle-
and upper-class with Nicholas Butler, Who did we miss out?
philanthropists to an educator and
fund the efforts. presidential advisor Let us know /AllAboutHistory @AboutHistoryMag

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