5 Most Influential Women in Education
Women to look up to!
While talking about quality education, it’s impossible not to mention the educators. After all, they are the ones who help us gain knowledge. There are many individuals worldwide who have made great contributions to the field of education, especially women. So, here we are going to talk about the five most influential women in education.
1. Maria Montessori
When it comes to the most distinguished female in education, the name Maria Montessori stands on the topmost spot.
Maria was an Italian educator and physician who developed the Montessori Method of education, which is a child-centered academic approach that emphasizes independent learning and encourages learners to follow their own interests. Unlike other development methods for different children, her method witnessed unexpected gains while experimenting.
Soon after seeing positive results, she began a day childcare center. Students here were the under-served youngsters of age 3 – 7, who were left to do whatever they wanted. At first, the kids were carefree, but they soon started gaining interest in the things around them. This led them to naturally teach themselves based on their interest. That is the foundation of the whole Montessori philosophy-exploring the world and developing the ability to be independent makes the child’s development more effective and personalized.
Today, the Montessori Method is used in schools globally.
2. Ramona Edelin
Ramona Edelin was the co-founder and first president of the National Urban Coalition (now called the National Urban League). The power of a female is unmatched, that is why Ramona Edelin is truly one of those women who changed the world for the better. She was born in 1945 in Los Angeles, California, and completed her studies at various institutions as most of the time her family was moving. She graduated with her bachelor's from Fisk University. Further, she went to continue studies at the University of East Anglia and obtained her master's there. She got her major degree, Ph.D., from Boston University.
With guidance from Edelin, the NUC began a program called Say Yes to A Youngster's Future which provided math and science assistance as well as technical training. This change eventually led them to partner with many schools nationwide, including ones located in cities like Chicago or New York City. There are large amounts of youth who come out short on resources due not only to their location but also income level. These partnerships help provide more support than ever before, so kids can succeed no matter what part they live in!
3. Malala Yousafzai
Malala Yousafzai, a Pakistani education activist who came to the limelight after surviving an assassination attempt by the Taliban.
She was only 15 when she was targeted for speaking out on behalf of girls' right to education. Even after being shot in the head, she recovered and continued her struggle. She went on to become the youngest Nobel Prize laureate when she was 17 years old. In 2014, she was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize and received it. Yousafzai has founded the Malala Fund, an organization that provides academic support to girls worldwide. Apart from that, she is also an advocate for female education and empowerment through a sense of self-confidence.
4. Mary Jane McLeod Bethune
Mary Jane Bethune was an American educator, civil rights leader, and a pioneer political activist. She was born in a family of former slaves and grew up to become the 15th child of 17 siblings.
Despite the difficult circumstances, she managed to graduate from high school as the valedictorian. She went on to teach at a black girls' school in Florida. In 1904, she started the Daytona Educational and Industrial Training School for Negro Girls (later renamed Bethune-Cookman University).
Under her leadership, the school became one of the largest private institutions in the US that focused on vocational training for African Americans. Apart from that, she also played an important role in getting President Franklin Roosevelt's support for the establishment of the National Youth Administration.
The excellent work of Mary Jane was laid out in the book "The Life and Legacy of Mary McLeod Bethune."
5. Anne Sullivan
Anne Sullivan was an American educator and social reformer. She is best known for being the teacher of Helen Keller, a deafblind girl.
Sullivan was born in Feeding Hills, Massachusetts, in 1866. She was just five when she contracted trachoma, which left her blind. When she was 14, she entered the Perkins Institution for the Blind, where she met Keller for the first time.
It was under Sullivan's guidance that Keller learned to communicate through finger spelling and Braille. Sullivan also taught her how to read, write, and speak. Thanks to Sullivan's efforts, Keller went on to become a well-known author and lecturer.
Anne Sullivan's indispensable role in improving the living of her student Helen Keller earns her a spot on this list of powerful women.
Conclusion
These are just a few of the many powerful women who have made a difference in the field of education. They have each overcome great obstacles to achieve their goals and have helped countless others in the process. Their stories should be a great inspiration for the generations ahead as they show us strength, courage and determination to make big things.
About the Author
Alison Ray works as a junior lecturer at the history of education department. Her professional expertise allows her to write a theme blog and be an author for papersowl.com which she is using to promote the topic and build awareness among readers about females in education. Alison is convinced that sharing her knowledge of history in the field is the way to improve modern education and inspire people for positive changes.
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