Women, Schooling, and the Fight for Social Change

Women, Schooling, and the Women, Schooling, and the

Fight for Social ChangeFight for Social Change

Ella Flagg YoungElla Flagg Young

Marietta Louise Pierce JohnsonMarietta Louise Pierce Johnson

Anna Julia CooperAnna Julia Cooper

By: Cassandra Roder, Shari Roach, Kate Seaberg, Clarissa Schlangen, and Jessica Short

Ella Flagg Young: PastElla Flagg Young: Past Was born in Buffalo, New York on January 15Was born in Buffalo, New York on January 15thth, 1845, 1845Both parents were working class and didn’t give much Both parents were working class and didn’t give much encouragement in education (her mother said she would encouragement in education (her mother said she would never become a good teacher).never become a good teacher).She taught herself to read and write by age 9.She taught herself to read and write by age 9.Parents didn’t let her attend school till age 10.Parents didn’t let her attend school till age 10.She dropped out of High School because of lack of She dropped out of High School because of lack of challenge and encouragement around her.challenge and encouragement around her.When 15 took teacher certification test but was to young to When 15 took teacher certification test but was to young to teach herself so she found a good teacher and arranged to teach herself so she found a good teacher and arranged to assist her, creating her own practicum experience and using assist her, creating her own practicum experience and using it to test her potential in a real classroom. This was her first it to test her potential in a real classroom. This was her first encouragement to become a teacher.encouragement to become a teacher.Women who were married could not become teachers in Women who were married could not become teachers in these times but when her husband died and she became a these times but when her husband died and she became a widower, she decided she devoted herself entirely to the widower, she decided she devoted herself entirely to the cause of education. cause of education.

Ella Flag Young: Ella Flag Young: what she became and what she became and

whywhy Ella was a huge contributor to reforming schools from being too autocratic and Ella was a huge contributor to reforming schools from being too autocratic and

having policies too conservative for children to actually learn fromhaving policies too conservative for children to actually learn from She became 1She became 1stst woman superintendent and principle of largest school in woman superintendent and principle of largest school in

Chicago Chicago 1st woman president of National Education Association 1st woman president of National Education Association Went back to school for PhD under the supervision of Went back to school for PhD under the supervision of John Dewey, who said , who said

that he took more educational ideas from her than from anyone else. that he took more educational ideas from her than from anyone else. Her dissertation, "Isolation in School Systems," reflected an educational Her dissertation, "Isolation in School Systems," reflected an educational

philosophy based on experiential learning, social freedoms, and democratic philosophy based on experiential learning, social freedoms, and democratic school communities. school communities.

Young encouraged teachers to have a voice in the curriculum unlike she was Young encouraged teachers to have a voice in the curriculum unlike she was taughttaught

Wanted to be an example and a sense of encouragement for the woman Wanted to be an example and a sense of encouragement for the woman teachers and girls in the classrooms so she was a leader in woman’s suffrageteachers and girls in the classrooms so she was a leader in woman’s suffrage

She worked in school systems for 53 yearsShe worked in school systems for 53 years

Ella Flagg Young: How Ella Flagg Young: How she Influenced Todayshe Influenced Today

Ella helped mold the school systems we have today. Ella helped mold the school systems we have today. She established administration that was characterized by "democratic She established administration that was characterized by "democratic

efficiency," removed the secretive performance evaluations, introduced efficiency," removed the secretive performance evaluations, introduced more relevant curriculum subjects, increased salaries for all teachers, more relevant curriculum subjects, increased salaries for all teachers, and began to involve them in the decision-making process through a and began to involve them in the decision-making process through a system of teachers' councils. system of teachers' councils.

She influenced and encouraged great teachers to reach out to children She influenced and encouraged great teachers to reach out to children and we have passionate teachers today because she implemented that and we have passionate teachers today because she implemented that in her schools, that teachers be passionate about their jobsin her schools, that teachers be passionate about their jobs

The Chicago Public School system named an elementary school (K-8) in The Chicago Public School system named an elementary school (K-8) in honor of Dr. Young in 1924. Which is still used today. honor of Dr. Young in 1924. Which is still used today.

Without Ella’s great determination and drive to help reform schools to be Without Ella’s great determination and drive to help reform schools to be the best they can be for students and teachers and not the administrators the best they can be for students and teachers and not the administrators and board members our schools wouldn’t be what they are today.and board members our schools wouldn’t be what they are today.

Marietta Louise Pierce JohnsonMarietta Louise Pierce Johnson(1864-1938)(1864-1938)

Historical ContextHistorical Context Born and educated in MinnesotaBorn and educated in Minnesota Johnson was widely influenced by:Johnson was widely influenced by:

Progressive EducationProgressive Education Respect for diversityRespect for diversity the development ofthe development of critical, socially engaged intelligence (A brief critical, socially engaged intelligence (A brief

overview, 2002)overview, 2002)

John Dewey.John Dewey. ““Education is life itself” ~John Dewey~ (Neil, 2005)Education is life itself” ~John Dewey~ (Neil, 2005)

Johnson's belief in social reform made her unusually Johnson's belief in social reform made her unusually receptive to ideas on educational reform (Newman, receptive to ideas on educational reform (Newman, 2008)2008)

Johnson’s teaching principles:Johnson’s teaching principles: Wanted to make learning a wonderful experience for everyone Wanted to make learning a wonderful experience for everyone

emphasizing only their gifts, talents and abilities without fear of failureemphasizing only their gifts, talents and abilities without fear of failure Saw educating children as a duty to “promote the growth of the whole Saw educating children as a duty to “promote the growth of the whole

child” (UXL Encyclopedia of World Biography, 2003)child” (UXL Encyclopedia of World Biography, 2003) ““It is very thrilling to contemplate what society might be in a few years. No It is very thrilling to contemplate what society might be in a few years. No

examinations, no tests, no failures, no rewards, no self-consciousness; examinations, no tests, no failures, no rewards, no self-consciousness; the development of sincerity, the freedom of children to live their lives the development of sincerity, the freedom of children to live their lives straight out, no double motives, children never subjected to the straight out, no double motives, children never subjected to the temptations to cheat, even to appear to know when they do not know; the temptations to cheat, even to appear to know when they do not know; the development of fundamental sincerity, which is the basis of all morality” development of fundamental sincerity, which is the basis of all morality” ~Marietta Johnson~~Marietta Johnson~

In 1907 she founded The School of Organic Education, which is unique In 1907 she founded The School of Organic Education, which is unique because:because: There were no grades given (grades were thought to create tension and self-There were no grades given (grades were thought to create tension and self-

consciousness)consciousness) Reading was not taught until age eight at the earliest (the idea is that “formal Reading was not taught until age eight at the earliest (the idea is that “formal

studies should emerge from the child’s awakening intrinsic interests”)studies should emerge from the child’s awakening intrinsic interests”) The elementary grades participated in activities such as crafts, dramas, dance, The elementary grades participated in activities such as crafts, dramas, dance,

music, trips and visits to the surrounding areas, high school shifted to more music, trips and visits to the surrounding areas, high school shifted to more formal studies (UXL Encyclopedia of World Biography, 2003)formal studies (UXL Encyclopedia of World Biography, 2003)


Marietta Louise Pierce JohnsonMarietta Louise Pierce JohnsonInfluenceInfluence Johnson’s Organic School is still open in Fairmont, Johnson’s Organic School is still open in Fairmont,

AL and is still practicing some of Johnson’s ideas and AL and is still practicing some of Johnson’s ideas and principles from over100 years ago, although far from principles from over100 years ago, although far from its original roots.its original roots.

The Marietta Johnson Museum was founded in 1991 The Marietta Johnson Museum was founded in 1991 to keep the public informed about Johnson’s vision to keep the public informed about Johnson’s vision for future education.for future education.

Although critics saw her school as a “do-as-you-Although critics saw her school as a “do-as-you-please” school, she insisted that it was the adult’s please” school, she insisted that it was the adult’s responsibility to direct maturing minds from responsibility to direct maturing minds from unwholesome activities. (Newman, 2008)unwholesome activities. (Newman, 2008)


"Children should be active in all their learning; in fact, learning is a consequence and accompaniment of activity. Not only do we learn to do by doing, but all learning is through experience." Marietta Johnson

Anna Julia Cooper (1858-1964)Anna Julia Cooper (1858-1964) Contextual PreviewContextual Preview Cooper lived during the tail end of slavery and some of the most Cooper lived during the tail end of slavery and some of the most

climactic years of the civil rights movement. climactic years of the civil rights movement. Cooper’s passion for equality and justice at such a young age was Cooper’s passion for equality and justice at such a young age was

most likely fueled by the fact that her own mother was a slave. most likely fueled by the fact that her own mother was a slave. Education rights for African Americans (especially female) were Education rights for African Americans (especially female) were

extremely limited. extremely limited. This resulted in a culture that struggled to make its way in society, for This resulted in a culture that struggled to make its way in society, for

these people/ former slaves often knew little more than physical labor.these people/ former slaves often knew little more than physical labor. Cooper was given a scholarship, and attended school where, like Cooper was given a scholarship, and attended school where, like

many schools, some classes were intended for males only; ladies many schools, some classes were intended for males only; ladies were discouraged from pursuing higher-level courses. were discouraged from pursuing higher-level courses.

Cooper fought for her right to take these higher-level courses and Cooper fought for her right to take these higher-level courses and managed to enroll in some of them, forging the path for other women. managed to enroll in some of them, forging the path for other women.

Influence:Influence: Cooper was determined to better society by bettering African Cooper was determined to better society by bettering African

Americans.Americans. Her focus was on African American women, who were at the Her focus was on African American women, who were at the

biggest disadvantage. biggest disadvantage. Many people believe that Cooper made the first articulation of Many people believe that Cooper made the first articulation of

Black feminism (ever) in her book , Black feminism (ever) in her book , A Voice from the SouthA Voice from the South. . The book sums up Cooper’s idea that The book sums up Cooper’s idea that thethe educational, moral, educational, moral,

and spiritual progress of Black women would improve the and spiritual progress of Black women would improve the general standing of the entire African American community. general standing of the entire African American community.

Cooper’s dedication to this notion is evident; she became the 4th Cooper’s dedication to this notion is evident; she became the 4th black woman in American history to gain a Doctoral degree. black woman in American history to gain a Doctoral degree.

By doing this, Cooper provided encouragement and inspiration to By doing this, Cooper provided encouragement and inspiration to other African Americans, namely women, and influenced many to other African Americans, namely women, and influenced many to utilize their educational potential.utilize their educational potential.

Cooper ‘s work along with other’s who shared her zeal, Cooper ‘s work along with other’s who shared her zeal, helped generate a better educated population of African helped generate a better educated population of African American women.American women.

Cooper was not excepted by all, or even a majority of Cooper was not excepted by all, or even a majority of her white counterparts, even after she achieved her her white counterparts, even after she achieved her doctoral degree. doctoral degree.

However, with the progress of racial and gender equality However, with the progress of racial and gender equality between Cooper’s lifetime and today, it can be assumed between Cooper’s lifetime and today, it can be assumed that Cooper’s words and lifestyle changed the views of that Cooper’s words and lifestyle changed the views of many , and inspired many to become educated and many , and inspired many to become educated and utilize their potential.utilize their potential.

Although we still deal with these issues today, it is Although we still deal with these issues today, it is because of individuals like Cooper that we are continuing because of individuals like Cooper that we are continuing to see progress. to see progress.

Works CitedWorks Cited (2002). A brief overview of progressive education. Retrieved October 15, 2008, Web site: (2002). A brief overview of progressive education. Retrieved October 15, 2008, Web site:

http://www.uvm.edu/~dewey/articles/proged.html Epstein, B (1998). Anna Julia Cooper. Retrieved October 14, 2008, from The African Epstein, B (1998). Anna Julia Cooper. Retrieved October 14, 2008, from The African

American Literature Web Pages of the George Washington University Web site: American Literature Web Pages of the George Washington University Web site: http://www.gwu.edu/~e73afram/index.htmlhttp://www.gwu.edu/~e73afram/index.html

Neil, James (2005). John Dewey: Philosophy of education. Retrieved October 15, 2008, Neil, James (2005). John Dewey: Philosophy of education. Retrieved October 15, 2008, Web site: Web site: http://wilderdom.com/experiential/JohnDeweyPhilosophyEducation.html

Newman, Joseph (2008). Marietta Pierce Johnson (1864–1938) - Organic Education, New Newman, Joseph (2008). Marietta Pierce Johnson (1864–1938) - Organic Education, New Trends in Education. Retrieved October 6, 2008, Web site: Marietta Pierce Johnson (1864–Trends in Education. Retrieved October 6, 2008, Web site: Marietta Pierce Johnson (1864–1938) - Organic Education, New Trends in Education1938) - Organic Education, New Trends in Education

Schugurensky Daniel. Ella Flagg Young, first female superintendent of a major city school Schugurensky Daniel. Ella Flagg Young, first female superintendent of a major city school system. 2002, June 13th. system. 2002, June 13th. http://www.wier.ca/~daniel_schugurens/assignment1/1909ella.html http://www.wier.ca/~daniel_schugurens/assignment1/1909ella.html

UXL Encyclopedia of World Biography, (2003). Marietta Louise Pierce Johnson. Retrieved UXL Encyclopedia of World Biography, (2003). Marietta Louise Pierce Johnson. Retrieved October 15, 2008, from Bnet Web site: October 15, 2008, from Bnet Web site: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_gx5229/is_/ai_n19147642http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_gx5229/is_/ai_n19147642

Wikipedia. Ella Flagg Young. 2008, September Wikipedia. Ella Flagg Young. 2008, September 19th.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ella_Flagg_Young 19th.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ella_Flagg_Young

Wright Sewell, M (Ed.). (1894). Wright Sewell, M (Ed.). (1894). The World's Congress of Representative WomenThe World's Congress of Representative Women. Chicago, . Chicago, IL: Rand, McNally. IL: Rand, McNally.

VIDEO:VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHYBoWp5yRU&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHYBoWp5yRU&feature=related