Notable Women Educators of Mary Lyon's Era

Emma Willard, founder and principal of Troy Female Seminary (now called Emma Willard School), which opened in 1821. Mary Lyon met with her in 1833, while on a three-and-a-half-month trip that covered more than 2,000 miles and included her first train ride. During Lyon's travels, she visited her family, toured schools, spoke with educators, and saw such natural wonders as the Catskill Mountains and Niagara Falls, major tourist attractions of the day.

Catharine Beecher, founder and principal of Hartford Female Seminary, 1824, and of schools in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Iowa. She was the author of many works on domestic science, religion, and health. Mary Lyon met with her in 1836.