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=Emma Hart Willard=

At the age of twelve I already began to disprove assumptions of the mental capabilities of women with my academic achievements. With the help of my father my thirst for knowledge was being satisfied. As a teenager I taught and studied at various schools. In my early twenties I was asked to take charge of both a girl’s academy and a boy’s grammar school. I later married Dr. John Willard and stopped my current educational commitments. Although during this time I studied from a college books belonging to my step-son. In 1812 after the financial troubles of my husband Dr. John Willard I opened an all-girls school in my home. It was known as Middlebury Female Seminary. I taught the harder courses which were not previously open to the female population. I posted the exam scores of the students as well as invited scholars to the school in order to show the academic achievements of my students to the public. I wrote "A Plan for Improving Female Education" stating my views on women’s education as a response to the increase in interest of my school, which’s ideas, were later used in the women’s movement. My goal was to create a school for girls managed much the same way as the most prestigious schools for men, by a group of public men. In an attempt to do this I sent out multiple documents to gain the support of Governor Clinton. After gaining his approval I sent the document to some of the most powerful and influential men at the time President Monroe, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams whom all agreed with the document. I meticulously revised the document to make sure not to suggest that women were intellectual equals to men. If it was not for the humbleness of my words the school might have never been created. The idea that women and men were intellectual equals was very much thought to be wrong at this time. This was the reason why I did not call the academies collages. Although I held these views my goals would not have been achieved unless I withheld them. In 1821 as a result of the New York legislature’s refusal to supply funding, the school was going to close but 4,000 dollars was raised by Troy N.Y. I then went on to open The Troy Female Seminary in 1821. I also supplied scholarships to many girls because of the significant cost of the education. Becoming friends with Professor Amos Eaton made science classes available that were not for even some at men’s colleges. I strived to make education thought to be dull by many interesting and fun. I then focused my efforts on the spread of women’s education in the world. The Troy Female Seminary paved the way and was the inspiration for many more female institutes to come. I also wrote books to aid in the movement as well as to raise money for the building of new schools. In 1844 I officially retired putting the school under the leadership of my son and daughter-in-law. Although even after I still wrote about my views on varying subjects. Throughout my life I did not suffer much criticism. By making sure to avoid the statement of intellectual equality I did not pose a threat. I ask for your support as well as funding to help wide-spread this movement. With this money I can build more schools as well as provide more scholarship programs. By doing this I can create equality between social classes which will in general betters the community. references: Dr. John Willard (1st husband) and Samuel Hart (father) - Throughout my life I was devoted and knowledge seeking striving to help other females have the same love and opportunity for knowledge as I did. These two have seen me grow up and become the woman I am. They can vouch for all the hard work and devotion I have and will put into this movement. Since I was little may father was the one to feed my thirst for knowledge and now it is my turn to provide the same opportunity for others. Sources: "Emma Hart Willard." //Emma Willard School//. Emma Willard School, March & april 1979. Web. 24 Feb. 2010. . "Emma Hart Willard (1787-1870)." //Sunshine for Women//. Sunshine for Women, Feb. 2001. Web. 24 Feb. 2010. .