Women’s Rights, Racial Integration, and Education From 1850–1920 : The Case of Sarah Raymond, the First Female Superintendent

This historical biography examines Sarah Raymond Fitzwilliam's abolitionist roots growing up on a stop of the Underground Railroad, her training at a 'normal school, ' her tenure as a teacher, principal and the nation's first city school superintendent (Bloomington, Illinois 1874-1892). This historical biography examines Sarah Raymond's (1842-1918) abolitionist roots growing up on a stop of the Underground Railroad; her training at a "normal school;" her tenure as a teacher, principal, and the nation's first female school superintendent; while chronicling American society during the gilded and progressive ages "Sarah Raymond was that rare figure who quietly, though powerfully, altered the contours of public schooling at a particularly crucial moment. As the first woman in the country to serve as superintendent of a city school system, she signaled a fundamental shift in how communities understood leadership - and leaders. Noraian captures this intriguing story, freshly pieced together from as-yet little tapped sources, revealing an individual we should know." - Jackie M. Blount, Associate Dean, College of Education and Human Ecology, The Ohio State University "A gifted storyteller, Monica Cousins Noraian has written an engaging historical biography that illuminates the career of the country's first female superintendent of city schools. Because Sarah Raymond was a woman leader who dared to trouble the status quo, her story provides a model for today's social justice advocates, male or female, who would advance the broader cause of educational equity. The book is a major contribution to the research about women educational leaders, and makes a meaningful contribution to historical understanding of educational leadership in an earlier time." - Linda L. Lyman, Professor, Illinois State University Although she held an important position of educational leadership for eighteen years, Sarah Raymond Fitzwilliam's story has been largely overlooked. This historical biography of Fitzwilliam examines her abolitionist roots growing up on a stop of the Underground Railroad, her training at a "normal school," her tenure as a teacher, principal and the nation's first city school superintendent (Bloomington, Illinois 1874-1892). In the process, Noraian also chronicles American society during the Gilded and Progressive ages Front Matter....Pages i-ix Introduction....Pages 1-17 The Early Years....Pages 19-33 The Illinois State Normal University Years....Pages 35-65 Teacher and Principal of Bloomington Schools....Pages 67-81 Superintendent of Bloomington Schools....Pages 83-111 The Resignation....Pages 113-123 Leading beyond the Schools: Community Involvement in Bloomington, Boston, and Chicago....Pages 125-134 Back Matter....Pages 135-189