Platform 51

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Categories: education and skills, woman of the week
Thursday, 19 May 2011
Women of the week - three pioneering women educators

Honouring three great educators

This week is Adult Learners week so we want to honour three of the many great pioneering women educators who dedicated their lives to helping others.

First we praise Josephine Butler -pictured- (1828 to 1906). Feminist, educationalist, reformer, she was active in the rehabilitation and welfare of sex workers and became involved in the campaign for higher education for women.

Second we honour Mary McLeod Bethune (1875 to 1955). Mary was the daughter of parents born slaves, and despite a childhood of astonishing disadvantage she rose to be one of America's foremost educators, best known for starting a school for African American students. She was also a civil rights leader and adviser to President Roosevelt.

Next we remember Elizabeth Blackwell (1821 - 1910) the first woman to graduate from medical school. She was a pioneer in educating women in medicine and health, and understood that women would prefer to consult a woman about health problems.

We salute the remarkable contributions of these women and many other unsung heroines who understood the power of education to overcome social injustice and poverty.