Women’s Rights and the Case for Women’s Education

English writer Mary Wollstonecraft published A Vindication on the Rights of Woman in 1792. In this text, Mary Wollstonecraft argues for the education of women and their advancement in society. Considered one of the earliest feminist writings in the western world, A Vindication of the Rights of Woman makes the moral case for educating women in the same subjects and manners as men, rather than solely in the domestic arts to which women’s education was typically relegated.

Catharine Beacher and her sister Harriet Beacher Stowe, who is more famous for her work Uncle Tom’s Cabin, were advocates for women’s education in the mid-1800s. Catharine Beacher published A Treatise on Domestic Economy in 1841 and co-wrote Principles of Domestic Science with her sister Harriet Beacher Stowe in 1870. Both books were used as early textbooks for women’s education across the country. Their writings advocated for treating the education of women’s domestic work as a science.

Thoughts on the education of daughters: With reflections on female conduct, in the more important duties of life. By Mary Wollstonecraft.: Published 1878. Book by Mary Wollstonecraft on education for women, preceded her Vindication of the Rights of Woman.; Special Collections XX HQ1229 .W85 1787

interior page of book with a chapter titled 'Thoughts on the education of daughters'

A vindication of the rights of woman: With strictures on political and moral subjects. By Mary Wollstonecraft.: Published 1792. In A Vindication of the Rights of Woman, English writer Mary Wollstonecraft makes the moral case for educating women in the same subjects and manners as men, rather than solely in the domestic arts to which women’s education was typically relegated; Special Collections XX HQ1596 .W6 1792

interior page for Chapter IV titled Observations on the state of degradation to which woman is reduced by various causes

A treatise on domestic economy: For the use of young ladies at home, and at school. By Catharine E. Beecher.: Published 1841. This text is an early and famous book on home economics.; Special Collections XX TX145 .B41 1841

interior page of book showing Chapter XXV titled On the construction of houses

Principles of domestic science: As applied to the duties and pleasures of home. A text-book for the use of young ladies in schools, seminaries, and colleges. By Catherine E. Beecher and Harriet Beecher Stowe.: Published 1870. This work was a textbook of the type that would have been used in early women's programs.; Special Collections TX145 .B45

Interior page of book detailing the guidance for things like proper home ventilation, home decoration, and stoves.