Woolley, Mary Emma, 1863-1947
Variant namesMary Emma Woolley, college professor and President of Mount Holyoke College from 1901-1937, was born on July 13, 1863 in South Norwalk, Connecticut to Joseph Judah Woolley, a Congregational minister, and Mary August Ferris Woolley, a schoolteacher. She attended Mrs. Fannie Augur's school in Meriden, Connecticut until her family moved to Pawtucket, Rhode Island in 1871, when she enrolled in Providence High School. In 1882 she began attending Wheaton Seminary in Norton, Massachusetts, graduating in 1884 and serving as a faculty member there from 1885-1890. She entered Brown University in the fall of 1891 as the first woman to attend the university. She received her A.B. in 1894 and her A.M. in 1895. She served as an instructor, associate professor and professor at Wellesley College from 1895-1899, teaching for and acting as chairman of the Biblical History and Literature Department. During this period, Woolley formed what would be a life-long partnership with Jeannette Augusta Marks, then a student at Wellesley. In 1900, Woolley accepted the position as President of Mount Holyoke College and took office in May of 1901. Her achievements include hiring more faculty with advanced degrees, introducing honors work into the curriculum, expanding the graduate program, successfully raising funds for the College, establishing an academic honors program, eliminating secret societies (sororities), improving the health of students by increasing the physical education requirement, ending the domestic work system, and easing Mount Holyoke's religious exclusiveness. She was an active member of many organizations, serving as the first woman senator of Phi Beta Kappa (1907), chairman of the College Entrance Examination Board (1924-1927), President of the American Association of University Women (1927-1933), and moderator of the Congregational Churches of America (1937). She served as a member of the Foreign Missions Conference of North America Educational Commission to China, which studied Christian higher edu! cation i n that country (1921) and she participated in several major conferences, including the Institute of Pacific Relations conventions (1925 and 1927). In 1932, President Herbert Hoover appointed her to serve as the only woman delegate from the United States to the Conference on Reduction and Limitation of Armaments held in Geneva, Switzerland. She retired as President of Mount Holyoke in 1937 after a divisive controversy over the selection of her successor. She lived in Jeannette Marks' home in Westport, New York and remained active, organizing the Committee on the Participation of Women in Post-War Policy during World War II, joining the National Woman's Party, and endorsing the Equal Rights Amendment. In 1944, Woolley suffered a cerebral hemorrhage that left her partially paralyzed. She died on September 5, 1947 in Westport at the age of eighty-four.
From the guide to the Mary Emma Woolley Papers MS 0842., circa 1845-1947, 1900-1947, (Mount Holyoke College Archives and Special Collections)
Epithet: President of Mount Holyoke College Massachusetts
British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue : Person : Description : ark:/81055/vdc_100000000543.0x00028c
Role | Title | Holding Repository | |
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referencedIn | Principals and Presidents Biographical Files RG 4. 2., ca. 1875- | Mount Holyoke College Archives and Special Collections | |
creatorOf | Ward, Lydia Avery Coonley, 1845-1924. Autographs collected and letters received by Lydia Avery Coonley Ward, 1705, 1785, 1848, 1861-1922 (bulk 1861-1922). | University of Virginia. Library | |
referencedIn | Moulton, Anna Y. (Anna Young), 1891-1965. Moulton papers, 1908-1965 (bulk 1912-1916). | Mount Holyoke College, Williston & Miles-Smith Library | |
creatorOf | Woolley, Mary Emma, 1863-1947. Letter to Cyril Clemens. [Westport-on-Lake Champlain, NY.]. 1940 June 25. | University of Iowa Libraries | |
referencedIn | Committee of Nine Records RG 3. 3. 4., 1933-1937 | Mount Holyoke College Archives and Special Collections | |
creatorOf | Woolley, Mary Emma, 1863-1947. Letter 1928, July 14, Westport, New York [to] Mr. Edwim Markham, Staten Island / Mary Emma Woolley. | Wagner College, Horrmann Library | |
referencedIn | Kitchelt, Florence Ledyard Cross, 1874-1961. Papers, 1885-1961 (inclusive). | Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America | |
referencedIn | Collection, 1921-1961 | Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America | |
referencedIn | Todd, David P. (David Peck), 1855-1939. David Peck Todd papers, 1862-1939 (inclusive). | Yale University Library | |
creatorOf | Mary Emma Woolley Papers MS 0842., circa 1845-1947, 1900-1947 | Mount Holyoke College Archives and Special Collections | |
creatorOf | Hooker, Henrietta Edgecomb, 1851-1929. Hooker papers, 1873-1942 (bulk 1884-1927). | Mount Holyoke College, Williston & Miles-Smith Library | |
referencedIn | Comstock, Ada Louise. Papers, 1818-1982 (inclusive), 1887-1982 (bulk). | Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America | |
referencedIn | Jerome, Jennie Gilbert, 1888-1979. Papers 1907-1979 (bulk 1907-1911). | Mount Holyoke College, Williston & Miles-Smith Library | |
creatorOf | Vol. CIII (ff. 263). April-Aug. 1936.includes:ff. 1, 9 Leopold Gustav Alexander von Hoesch, German diplomatist: Correspondence, partly on his behalf, with Lord Cecil: 1934-1936: Signed.f. 3 Sir Arthur Willert, KBE: Correspondence between Lord Cec... | British Library | |
referencedIn | Family papers, 1892-1962 | Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America | |
referencedIn | Woolley, Mary Emma, 1863-1947. Papers. | Mount Holyoke College, Williston & Miles-Smith Library | |
referencedIn | Stimson, Henry L. (Henry Lewis), 1867-1950. Henry Lewis Stimson papers, 1846-1966. | Yale University Library | |
referencedIn | Jeannette Marks Papers MS 0567., 1901-1947. | Mount Holyoke College Archives and Special Collections | |
referencedIn | Papers, 1938(1942-1947) 1959 | Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America | |
referencedIn | Papers of Alice Hamilton, 1909-1987 (inclusive), 1909-1965 (bulk) | Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America | |
creatorOf | Woolley, Mary Emma, 1863-1947. Papers. | Mount Holyoke College, Williston & Miles-Smith Library | |
creatorOf | Lindsay, Vachel, 1879-1931. Autograph letter signed Vachel Lindsay to: "My dear Lady [Mary E. Wooley]" March 3, 1915. | Wellesley College | |
referencedIn | A. Elizabeth Adams papers, 1914-1962. | Mount Holyoke College Archives and Special Collections | |
referencedIn | Beard, Mary Ritter, 1876-1958. Papers, 1935-1958 | Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America | |
referencedIn | Century Company records | New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division | |
referencedIn | Morgan, Laura Puffer, 1874-1962. Papers of Laura Puffer Morgan and Ethel Puffer Howes, 1892-1962 (inclusive). | Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America | |
referencedIn | Pease, Arthur Stanley, 1881-1964. Correspondence and compositions, 1870-1963 | Houghton Library | |
referencedIn | Powell, Rose Arnold, 1876-1961. Papers, 1922-1961 (inclusive). | Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America | |
referencedIn | Didcoct, Gertrude Lukins, 1882-1979. Gertrude L. Didcoct Papers, 1890-1979 (1901-1905). | Mount Holyoke College, Williston & Miles-Smith Library | |
referencedIn | Dewson, Molly, 1874-1962. Papers, 1893-1962 | Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America | |
referencedIn | Papers of Alice Hamilton, 1909-1987 (inclusive), 1909-1965 (bulk) | Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America | |
referencedIn | Downer papers MS 0528., 1918-1988. | Mount Holyoke College Archives and Special Collections | |
referencedIn | Charles Lewis Slattery papers | Houghton Library | |
creatorOf | Hannah Clothier Hull Papers | Swarthmore College, Peace Collection, SCPC | |
referencedIn | Florence Polk Holding Papers MS 0790., 1896-1975 | Mount Holyoke College Archives and Special Collections | |
referencedIn | Kirchwey, Freda. Papers, 1871-1972 (inclusive), 1937-1971 (bulk) [microform]. | Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America | |
referencedIn | David Bicknell Truman Records RG 4. 17., 1906-1978, 1969-1978 | Mount Holyoke College Archives and Special Collections | |
referencedIn | Mabel Vernon Papers, 1933-1947 | Syracuse University. Library. Special Collections Research Center | |
referencedIn | Kirchwey, Freda, 1893-1976. Papers, 1871-1972 | Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America | |
creatorOf | Woolley, Mary Emma, 1863-1947. Letter to Cyril Clemens. [NY.]. 1940 May 15. | University of Iowa Libraries | |
referencedIn | Henry Adams autograph album, 1833-1939. | Houghton Library | |
referencedIn | Holding, Florence Polk, 1880-1975. Holding papers, 1896-1975. | Mount Holyoke College, Williston & Miles-Smith Library | |
referencedIn | Merrill papers MS 0571., ca. 1913-1983. | Mount Holyoke College Archives and Special Collections | |
referencedIn | Todd, David P. (David Peck), 1855-1939. Papers, 1862-1939 | Yale University. Department of Manuscripts and Archives | |
referencedIn | Martha Dickinson Bianchi correspondence concerning publication of the poetry of the American poet, Emily Dickinson:, 1881-1943 (inclusive), 1925-1937 (bulk). | Houghton Library | |
referencedIn | Papers of Grace A. Johnson in the Woman's Rights Collection, 1840-1952 | Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America | |
referencedIn | Dewson, Molly, 1874-1962. Papers, 1893-1962 | Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America | |
creatorOf | Woolley, Mary Emma, 1863-1947. Correspondence to Van Wyck Brooks, 1937. | University of Pennsylvania Library | |
referencedIn | Green, Elizabeth Alden, 1908-. Mount Holyoke in the twentieth century. | Mount Holyoke College, Williston & Miles-Smith Library | |
referencedIn | Lithgow, Marion Irene, 1901-1992. Lithgow papers, 1920-1992 (bulk 1920-1922). | Mount Holyoke College, Williston & Miles-Smith Library | |
referencedIn | Papers of Anna Howard Shaw in the Mary Earhart Dillon Collection, 1863-1961 | Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America | |
referencedIn | Papers of Charlotte Hawkins Brown, 1900-1961 | Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America | |
referencedIn | Walter Hines Page letters from various correspondents, American period | Houghton Library | |
creatorOf | Carnegie Council on Ethics & International Affairs. Carnegie Council on Ethics & International Affairs records, 1914-1996. | Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries | |
referencedIn | Moulton papers MS 0799., 1908-1965, 1912-1916 | Mount Holyoke College Archives and Special Collections | |
referencedIn | Lithgow papers MS 0683., 1920-1992, 1920-1922 | Mount Holyoke College Archives and Special Collections | |
referencedIn | Mark Anthony De Wolfe Howe additional papers | Houghton Library | |
referencedIn | William Ernest Hocking papers | Houghton Library | |
referencedIn | Adams, A. Elizabeth, 1892-1962. Papers, 1914-1962. | Mount Holyoke College, Williston & Miles-Smith Library | |
referencedIn | American Association of University Women. Fargo Branch. Records, 1922-1987. | North Dakota State University Library | |
referencedIn | Flagg, Mildred Buchanan, 1886-1980. Papers, 1876-1955 (inclusive), 1900-1955 (bulk). | Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America | |
referencedIn | Jerome papers MS 0615., 1907-1979, 1907-1911 | Mount Holyoke College Archives and Special Collections | |
referencedIn | Papers of Grace A. Johnson in the Woman's Rights Collection, 1840-1952 | Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America | |
referencedIn | Papers of Anna Howard Shaw in the Mary Earhart Dillon Collection, 1863-1961 | Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America | |
referencedIn | William Ernest Hocking papers | Houghton Library | |
referencedIn | Hawkins, Hugh. Frances Perkins Collection, ca. 1933- 1976- | Mount Holyoke College, Williston & Miles-Smith Library | |
referencedIn | Papers of of Alma Lutz,1921-1961 | Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America | |
referencedIn | Frances Perkins Collection MS 0766., ca. 1933-, 1976- | Mount Holyoke College Archives and Special Collections | |
referencedIn | Gertrude L. Didcoct Papers MS 0837., 1890-1979, 1901-1905 | Mount Holyoke College Archives and Special Collections | |
referencedIn | Barrows family papers, 1861-1931. | Houghton Library | |
referencedIn | Sherwin, Belle, 1868-1955. Papers, 1880-1955 | Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America | |
referencedIn | Todd, David P. (David Peck), 1855-1939. David Peck Todd papers, 1862-1939 (inclusive). | Yale University Library | |
referencedIn | Barbara J. White Papers MS 0849., 1935-1971, 1975, 2007 | Mount Holyoke College Archives and Special Collections | |
referencedIn | White, Barbara J. (Barbara Jeanne), 1918-. Barbara J. White Papers, 1935-1971. | Mount Holyoke College, Williston & Miles-Smith Library | |
referencedIn | Papers of Charlotte Hawkins Brown, 1900-1961 | Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America | |
referencedIn | Papers, 1914-1968. | New York State Historical Documents Inventory | |
referencedIn | Marks, Jeannette Augustus, 1875-1964. Papers, 1938-1959 (inclusive). | Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America | |
referencedIn | Henry L. Dawes Papers, 1833-1933, bulk 1833-1903 | Library of Congress. Manuscript Division |
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Honolulu (Hawaii) | |||
China | |||
Switzerland | |||
Massachusetts | |||
United States | |||
Geneva, Switzerland | |||
Hawaii |
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Arms control |
College presidents |
College presidents |
Conference of Reduction and Limitation of Armaments (1932: Geneva, Switzerland) |
Education, Higher |
Foreign Missions Conference of North Americirca Educational Commission to China |
International cooperation |
International cooperation |
International Federation of University Women |
Pan |
Peace |
Women |
Women |
Women and peace |
Women college presidents |
Women educators |
Women's colleges |
Women's rights |
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Person
Birth 1863-07-13
Death 1947-09-05