May wright sewall biography for kids

In the Thompsons resigned their positions at Franklin and moved to Indianapolis, where they became teachers at Indianapolis High School. May taught German and English literature; Edwin taught business classes. May taught German and literature at the Indianapolis Classical School for boys; Theodore was the school's principal. May spent more than three decades as an Indianapolis educator, twenty-five of them at the Girls' Classical School, which she founded with her second husband, Theodore.

The school opened with forty-four students in September May served as the school's principal and taught literature. The Girls' Classical School became "one of the three leading girls' schools in Indianapolis. The girls' school initially occupied a building on the southeast corner of Pennsylvania and St. Joseph streets. In it expanded to new facilities in a three-story brick building at North Pennsylvania Street.

Ina year after Theodore's death, Sewall leased a double brick building at and North Pennsylvania to serve as a school residence for students who lived outside the city. The school's curriculum did not offer the traditional courses for girls at the time, such as art or music. Instead, its college preparatory courses included classical studies, modern languages, and science.

The school's academic courses were based on Harvard's entrance requirements for women, which included admission requirements for SmithVassarand Wellesleyamong other colleges. The girls' school also offered a course of study for women who did not plan to enroll in college. In addition to academic classes, Sewall introduced dress reform and physical education for young women, which was not typical for a time when corsets, bustles, and petticoats were the norm.

Sewall required students to wear shoes with low and broad heels. She also urged, but did not require, parents to provide students with simple dress that consisted of a "kilt skirt and loose waist with a sash" to allow for more freedom of movement. Afterwhen Sewall became the sole principal of the school, she added innovative programs such as adult education and courses in domestic science later known as home economicswhich included classes in physics, chemistry, and cooking.

These courses were among the first of their kind to be offered in Indiana or the nation. By the Girls' Classical School was having financial problems as rival private schools were established in the city and public high schools became more common in Indiana. Sewall's more progressive ideas may also have led to the drop in enrollment. The Sewalls operated the school together until Theodore's death in May continued to run the school until her retirement in In she partnered with Anna F.

Weaver, a former student and a graduate of Stanford University, to jointly operate the school. In Sewall announced her retirement, ending her twenty-five year career at the school. Weaver continued to run the Girls' Classical School from the double brick building they used as a school residence. Weaver permanently closed the school in Sewall had no immediate plans after her retirement.

In she donated items from her Indianapolis home to local organizations and left the city to deliver a public lecture at Eliot, Maineand continued her work in the women's movement.

May wright sewall biography for kids: Born Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in , Sewall

While a resident of Indianapolis Sewall was known for her active involvement in numerous civic and cultural organizations. Many praised her work, but others criticized her as being "too dominant. Sewall was among the small group of women who founded the Indianapolis Woman's Club, whose first meeting was held on February 18, The club was organized to further the "mental and social culture" of its members.

Although it was not the first, the Indianapolis Woman's Club is the longest running of its kind in the state. Eliza Hendricks, wife of Indiana governor Thomas A. Hendrickswas the club's first president. Sewall became chair of its executive committee. Formed at a time when most Indianapolis residents opposed a woman's role outside the home, the club encouraged "a liberal interchange of thoughts.

In Sewall encouraged the Indianapolis Woman's Club to consider erecting a building to serve as a meeting place for the club as well as other literary, artistic, and social organizations in the city. The effort led to establishing the Indianapolis Propylaeum, named after the Greek word propylaionmeaning gateway to higher culture. The Propylaeum incorporated on June 6,as a stock company of Indianapolis women.

Sewall was elected president of the corporation, a position she retained untilwhen she resigned and left Indianapolis. Born: 06 November American. Dorothea Dix Social Reformer. Born: 04 April American. Solomon Social Reformer. Born: 14 January American. Harold Rugg Educational Reformer. Born: 17 January American.

May wright sewall biography for kids: May Wright Sewall (May 27,

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