Name/Title
Mercer GirlsEntry/Object ID
2025.001.020Description
Photograph of a sketch (artist unknown) depicting women signing up to be teachers. In 1864, a visitor from Seattle held a meeting in Lowell, Massachusetts. Asa Mercer explained to his largely female audience that there was a great scarcity of teachers in the Washington Territory. Jobs — and single men — were plentiful. Both were in short supply in Massachusetts. Any woman who could raise the money for her passage would readily find a teaching position — and soon a husband. Mercer also appealed to the women's sense of duty: "their presence and influence were so much needed" in the West, he told them. In spite of the opportunities Seattle offered, it was unimaginably far away. Only 11 women chose to accompany Mercer on his journey home. These brave teacher-pioneers were long known as the "Mercer Girls."Photograph Details
Subject Person or Organization
Mercer, Asa, Mercer GirlsSubject Place
* Untyped Subject Place
LowellState/Province
MassachusettsCountry
United States of AmericaContinent
North AmericaRelationships
Related Person or Organization
Person or Organization
Mercer, AsaRelated Places
Place
City
SeattleState/Province
Washington, MassachusettsCountry
United States of AmericaContinent
North America* Untyped Place
Lowell