Catherine Beecher
Full Name: Catherine Esther Beecher
Birthday : September 6, 1800
DiedMay 12, 1878
Born in East Hampton, New York.
Family member: Lynn Beecher ( Father), Roxanne Beecher (Mother) and Harriet Beecher Stowe( Sister).
Catharine Beecher was a nineteenth century proponent of women's rights and education for women. She believed that womens were central to the success of a strong democratic nation. Eventhough she did not advocate a radical change in women's roles, she did fight for increased recognition of the importance of the work women did in managing homes and raising families, advising American women on how to reform society from within their role in the home.
Catherine Beecher sought reform within the rule of her time and culture. She tried to win respect for women's contributions as wives, mothers and teachers. In 1823, Catherine and her sister Mary Beecher established the Hartford Female Seminary. At her school, she combined courses in algebra, chemistry, history,Latin, philosophy , rhetoric and the emphasis on developing the moral and religious character of her student. While teaching, Catherine also started writing about and lobbying for the education of women. She published several books that earned her a national reputation. Beecher believed that running a home and raising a family was an important and influential contribution by women, but she also felt that women should be given more responsibility and respect outside the home. She saw the field of teaching as the perfect profession for women because it allowed them an independent role in their community, but at the same time it was an proper occupation for woman because it was an extention of the role of mother.
A Treatise on Domestic was Beecher's most popular and importand work., offering practical advice and household tips and inspired women to help build a strong American society. In the book she wrote : " The success of democratic institution depends upon the intellectual and moral character of the mass of the people." " the fomation of the moral and intellectual charater of the young is committed mainly to the female hand." " The mother forms the character of the future man;... the wife sways the heart, those energies may turn for good or for evil the destinies of a nation. Let the women of a country be made vituous and intelligent, and the men will certainly be the same. The proper education of a man decides the welfare of an individual; but educate a woman, and the interests of a whole family are secured."
Later on in the 1852, Beecher founded The American Woman's Educational Association, focusing on further education for woman. While she also found Western Female Institution in Cincinnati, and The Ladies Society for Promoting Education in the West. Shes was also involved in the establishment of women's college in Burlinton, Iowa ; Quincy Illinois; and Milwaukee,Wisconsin.
Although Beecher did not challenge the traditionally subordinate place of females, she did present a new vision of women as a strong and influential force that helped to determine the direction and conscience of the nation. Her emphasis on bringing women into the teaching profession also changed notions about women's education and careers, providing a basis for the continued growth of feminist thought in the nineteenth century.
Catherine Beecher sought reform within the rule of her time and culture. She tried to win respect for women's contributions as wives, mothers and teachers. In 1823, Catherine and her sister Mary Beecher established the Hartford Female Seminary. At her school, she combined courses in algebra, chemistry, history,Latin, philosophy , rhetoric and the emphasis on developing the moral and religious character of her student. While teaching, Catherine also started writing about and lobbying for the education of women. She published several books that earned her a national reputation. Beecher believed that running a home and raising a family was an important and influential contribution by women, but she also felt that women should be given more responsibility and respect outside the home. She saw the field of teaching as the perfect profession for women because it allowed them an independent role in their community, but at the same time it was an proper occupation for woman because it was an extention of the role of mother.
A Treatise on Domestic was Beecher's most popular and importand work., offering practical advice and household tips and inspired women to help build a strong American society. In the book she wrote : " The success of democratic institution depends upon the intellectual and moral character of the mass of the people." " the fomation of the moral and intellectual charater of the young is committed mainly to the female hand." " The mother forms the character of the future man;... the wife sways the heart, those energies may turn for good or for evil the destinies of a nation. Let the women of a country be made vituous and intelligent, and the men will certainly be the same. The proper education of a man decides the welfare of an individual; but educate a woman, and the interests of a whole family are secured."
Later on in the 1852, Beecher founded The American Woman's Educational Association, focusing on further education for woman. While she also found Western Female Institution in Cincinnati, and The Ladies Society for Promoting Education in the West. Shes was also involved in the establishment of women's college in Burlinton, Iowa ; Quincy Illinois; and Milwaukee,Wisconsin.
Although Beecher did not challenge the traditionally subordinate place of females, she did present a new vision of women as a strong and influential force that helped to determine the direction and conscience of the nation. Her emphasis on bringing women into the teaching profession also changed notions about women's education and careers, providing a basis for the continued growth of feminist thought in the nineteenth century.
