Education of Women

"Education of Women" by M. Carey Thomas, discusses how women's education evolved in the United States during the late 1800s; it gives a close study of women's educational opportunities at the time, pointing out patterns in schools that accepted both men and women, and schools that only accepted women. Its main idea is the notable steps forward women made in getting higher education, showing changes in society and new ideas about what women could do in education and work. The author starts by talking about the quick growth of higher education for women in America, sharing that big changes and growth happened in just three decades. Thomas points out the variety of schools open to women, like coeducational schools and women's colleges. She emphasizes that more women were enrolling in these schools and investigates the effects of allowing both men and women to attend the same schools, and argues that education successfully brought women in while keeping good education standards. The beginning section guides the reader through a full investigation of the topic, mixing numbers with historical context as the author shines light on the life-changing impact of these improvements in women's education.