What led Mount Holyokes founder and early leaders to place such an emphasis on science?
The answer to this very important question lies in the fascinating and creative way these women interpreted the relationship between science and religion. It may seem strange to say this today when scientists are confronting creationists’ theological claims and assaults on textbook content, classroom teaching, and even research methods. However, in the context of an America whose horizons seemed limitless in the early 19th century, Mary Lyon founded Mount Holyoke understanding that theologically, institutionally, and professionally the evangelical Protestant community opened opportunities in higher education for women to teach science in collaboration with men. Her early emphasis on science derived from both shrewd assessments of the academic market place where women could help satisfy the great demand for scientific knowledge and from deep religious conviction that science was a means to personal and national salvation. Q: How was the teaching of science at Mount Holyoke different fro
