Emma Hart Willard

Willard, Emma Hart (1787–1870), first U.S. woman to publicly advocate higher education for women. Along with her husband, John Willard, she established a boarding school for girls in Middlebury, Vt. The school was moved to Troy, N.Y., and became known as the Emma Willard School. In 1854 she represented the United States at the World's Educational Convention in London.

See also: Women's movements.