Prudence+Crandall+-+SP09

Prudence Crandall (1803-1890) Although Prudence grew up in time when women were not met to have an education. She was a Quaker and they believed that women should be educated. She attended New England Friends' Boarding School. In her early 30's Crandall opened a school for girls she taught some of the town's wealthy families. Her school was ranked as one of the best in the state. Crandall taught the same material that prominent schools for boys were getting.


 * Criticism**: In this time period African Americans were still not considered equals even though some of them were free. Whites did not want them being in the same place as their family. After Prudence allowed a young black woman into her school, four of the towns most prominent men told her they were going to destroy her school. At this time period women were supposed to obey men's wishes, but she didn't back down. Months down the road the legislature passed the Black Laws. The Black Laws met it was illegal to open a school that taught African Americans.

Goals: Prudence wanted to teach all girls she believed everyone was equal and deserved an education. She accepted an African American into her school because the young lady wanted to be better taught so she could teach younger African Americans. She then opened another school for African American girls. She wanted them to have a better education then what they were getting so they could teach other African Americans.

Methods to Improve American Life: She got the help of William Lloyd Garrison who helped direct her to several families that wanted to send their daughters to her boarding school. Crandall was arrested and jail after the Black Law went into effect. After her release she still went back to teaching the girls, but the people started threatening her life and the life of her students so Crandall closed the school. She moved to Illinois and continued to teach and run a school from her home. She now participated in women's rights activities and made speeches for the suffrage movement and for tolerance.

Success: In 1886, the Connecticut legislature awarded a pension of $400.00 to her, after 112 citizens of Canterbury signed a petition saying they were ashamed of their actions and how they had treated her.

Ways the government can help: The government could pass a law saying it's okay for everyone to get an education. They could also support a school for African Americans.