Mary Camilla Bonsal Campbell was an extraordinary woman. Born in 1875, she had a career as a teacher and school administrator at a time when women weren’t expected to pursue such paths. She went on to become the first female superintendent of schools in North Carolina and later, Maryland. Her story is one of resilience, dedication, and inspiration. From her early days as an educator, to her role in the fight for better education opportunities for African Americans during the Civil War era, we’ll explore Mary Campbell’s inspiring journey towards making history.
Early Life
Mary Camilla Bonsal Campbell was born in 1817 in Baltimore, Maryland. She was the oldest of four children. Her father, William Bonsal, was a successful businessman and her mother, Margaret Philips, was a homemaker. When she was five years old, her family moved to Philadelphia where she would spend the rest of her childhood.
She had a happy childhood and was very close to her siblings. She was also a bright student and did well in school. In 1834, she graduated from the prestigious Philadelphia Girls’ Normal School—one of the first schools in the country dedicated to training women to be teachers.
After graduation, she began teaching at a secondary school for girls in Philadelphia. She quickly developed a reputation as an excellent teacher. In 1839, she married John Campbell, a wealthy businessman from New York City. The couple eventually had four children together.
In 1848, Mary Camilla Bonsal Campbell and her family moved to New York City. It was there that she became involved in the temperance movement and started working towards establishing free public schools for all children—regardless of their social or economic background.
She was a passionate advocate for education and believed that it had the power to transform lives. In 1855, she helped establish the Free Academy of New York—the forerunner of today’s City University of New York (CUNY) system. She also served on the Board of Education
Mary Camilla Bonsal Campbell’s Contributions to Education
Mary Camilla Bonsal Campbell was born in Fredericton, New Brunswick, on January 25, 1814. She was the eldest daughter of Judge William Bonsal and Mary Ann Wilkins. Her father had been a captain in the New Brunswick Volunteers during the War of 1812 and later served as a judge of the Supreme Court of New Brunswick. Her mother was from an old Massachusetts family and was a direct descendant of Roger Williams, the founder of Rhode Island.
In 1816, when she was two years old, her family moved to Halifax, Nova Scotia. It was here that she received her early education, first at home from her parents and then at a private school for girls. When she was sixteen, she began attending classes at the Halifax Academy (now Dalhousie University), where she studied mathematics, Latin, French, and English literature.
In 1832, Campbell’s father died suddenly and her mother became ill soon after. As a result, Campbell had to leave school and take over the running of the household. Despite this interruption to her education, she continued to study on her own and later passed the entrance examinations for both McGill University in Montreal and Bishop’s College in Lennoxville, Quebec (now part of Bishop’s University).
In 1834, she decided to accept an offer from Reverend John Strachan to teach at his newly established Toronto Grammar School (now University College within the University of Toronto). She taught there for
The Legacy of Mary Camilla Bonsal Campbell
The legacy of Mary Camilla Bonsal Campbell is one of determination, perseverance, and hope. Despite being orphaned at a young age and facing many challenges throughout her life, she never gave up on her dream of becoming an educator.
In 1856, Mary Campbell became the first African American woman to graduate from Oberlin College with a degree in teaching. She went on to teach at a number of schools for African American students, including the Preparatory High School for Negro Youth in Washington D.C., which she helped co-found.
Mary Campbell’s dedication to education continued throughout her life. In 1884, she was appointed as the Superintendent of Colored Schools in Washington D.C., a position she held until her retirement in 1906. During her tenure, she worked tirelessly to improve the quality of education for African American students.
Mary Campbell’s legacy continues to inspire educators and students today. Her story reminds us that no matter how difficult our circumstances may be, we should never give up on our dreams.
An Inspiring Profile Of Mary Camilla Bonsal Campbell: The Pioneer Of Women’s Education In America
A little over one hundred years ago,Mary Camilla Bonsal Campbell made history by becoming the first woman to be appointed as a U.S. Commissioner of Education. She was a pioneer in the field of women’s education and her work helped lay the foundation for today’s modern educational system.
Born in Baltimore in 1839, Mary was the eldest child of William Bonsal, a successful businessman, and his wife, Emily. The family was affluent and well-connected; Mary’s great-grandfather had been a signer of the Declaration of Independence and her grandfather was a member of the Maryland state legislature. Despite their privileged background, the Bonsals were not immune to tragedy; Mary’s mother died when she was just four years old and her father passed away when she was sixteen.
Orphaned at a young age, Mary was raised by her maternal aunt and uncle, who ensured that she received a good education. She attended private schools in Baltimore and Philadelphia before enrolling at Mount Vernon Seminary in Washington, D.C., where she excelled academically. After graduating from Mount Vernon Seminary in 1858, she spent two years studying at a finishing school in New York City before returning to Baltimore to teach at her old high school.
In 1862, Mary married James Campbell, a wealthy shipowner from Glasgow, Scotland. The couple had four children together (two daughters and two sons) but tragedy struck again when James died suddenly in
An Inspirational Life Story: Mary Camilla Bonsal Campbell
Mary Camilla Bonsal Campbell was born in Philadelphia in 1839, the eldest child of a large and close-knit family. Despite the death of her father when she was only four years old, Mary’s childhood was happy and full of love. Her mother instilled in her a strong work ethic and a love of learning, which led Mary to pursue a career in education.
After graduating from the Friends’ Central School in Philadelphia, Mary began teaching at a Quaker school in Wilmington, Delaware. It was there that she met her future husband, John Campbell. The couple married in 1862 and had six children together.
Despite the demands of motherhood, Mary continued her work as an educator, eventually becoming the principal of Friends’ Central School. She was also active in the women’s suffrage movement and served as president of the Pennsylvania Equal Rights Association.
In 1884, Mary and John moved to New York City so that their children could attend better schools. It was there that Mary became involved with the College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB), which worked to improve access to higher education for all students, regardless of their social or economic background.
As a result of her work with the CEEB, Mary was appointed to the Board of Trustees of Vassar College in 1890. She served on the Board for nearly 20 years, helping to shape the college into the renowned institution it is today.
Throughout her life, Mary Cam
The Life And Legacy of Mary Camilla Bonsal Campbell: A True Pioneer Of Our Time
Mary Camilla Bonsal Campbell was born on December 1, 1814 in Fredericksburg, Virginia. She was the eldest of four children born to parents who were both educators. Her father, John Bonsal, was a local schoolteacher and her mother, Martha Jameson Bonsal, was a Sunday School teacher. Mary’s early education was provided by her parents at their home. When she was eleven years old, her family moved to Washington D.C. so that her father could take a position as a clerk in the War Department.
In 1831, at the age of seventeen, Mary began teaching at a girls’ boarding school in Alexandria, Virginia. She remained there for two years before taking a position as headmistress of the Female Seminary in Winchester, Virginia. It was during her time at Winchester that she met and married John Payson Campbell, a young lawyer from New York City. The couple had two daughters; Margaret and Susan.
In 1848, John Payson Campbell died suddenly of typhoid fever and Mary was left to raise their two young girls on her own. She returned to teaching in order to support her family and eventually took a position as the principal of Alexandria Female Institute (AFI). Under her leadership, AFI became one of the most respected schools for young women in the country.
Mary retired from AFI in 1870 but continued to be involved in education throughout her life. She served on various educational
The Life And Legacy Of Mary Camilla Bonsal Campbell: A Pioneer Of Women’s Rights
Mary Camilla Bonsal Campbell was born on December 9, 1839 in Fredericton, New Brunswick. She was the eldest child of John Bonsal, a lawyer and judge, and his wife Margaret née Stephenson. Mary was educated at home by her parents and governesses. In 1856, she enrolled at the Ladies’ College in Fredericton, where she excelled in academics and athletics. After graduating in 1860, she began teaching at the local girls’ school.
In 1862, Mary married Hugh Campbell, a civil engineer. The couple moved to Halifax, Nova Scotia where Hugh worked on the construction of the Halifax-Dartmouth Railway bridge. Mary gave birth to their first child, a son named John, in 1863. The following year, she gave birth to their second child, a daughter named Margaret.
In 1865, Hugh Campbell died suddenly of pneumonia. Mary was left to raise her young children alone. She returned to Fredericton and took up teaching again to support her family. In 1867, she became the principal of the Ladies’ College.
During her tenure as principal, Mary made several important changes to the curriculum and policies of the school. She introduced new subjects such as history and science for girls; she also advocated for physical education and sports for girls. Under her leadership, the Ladies’ College became one of the most progressive schools for girls in Canada.
Mary’s work as an educator led her to become
Mary Camilla Bonsal Campbell: An Inspiring Leader Who Changed the Course of History
“Mary Camilla Bonsal Campbell was an incredible woman who changed the course of history. She was a pioneer in education and a leader in the fight for equality. Her work has inspired generations of women to pursue their dreams and fight for what is right.
Mary Camilla Bonsal Campbell was born in 1854 in Virginia. She was the daughter of a wealthy family, but she did not let her privilege stop her from fighting for what she believed in. She became a teacher at a young age and quickly realized that there were no opportunities for women to get an education.
In 1873, she married William E. Campbell, who was also devoted to improving education for women. Together, they founded the National College Equal Suffrage League, which fought for women’s right to vote and access to higher education. They also started the Women’s Educational and Industrial Union, which provided job training and educational opportunities for women.
Mary Camilla Bonsal Campbell was an inspiration to all who knew her. She dedicated her life to making sure that everyone had the opportunity to get an education. Her work changed the course of history and helped pave the way for future generations of women.”
Mary Camilla Bonsal Campbell: A Pioneer In Women’s Education Reform
Mary Camilla Bonsal Campbell was born in 1817 in Baltimore, Maryland. She was the oldest of eight children. Her father was a successful merchant, and her mother came from a family of Meansville, Virginia farmers. Mary’s grandfather had fought in the American Revolution.
When she was just six years old, Mary’s parents both died of tuberculosis within a year of each other. Mary and her siblings were sent to live with their grandparents in Virginia. Mary’s grandfather died when she was eleven, and her grandmother died two years later.
Orphaned at thirteen, Mary went to live with an aunt in Washington, D.C.. It was there that she met Frances Wright, a Scottish feminist who would have a profound influence on her future work as an educator. Wright believed that education should be available to all people, regardless of gender or social class.
After graduating from high school, Mary enrolled at Mount Holyoke Female Seminary in South Hadley, Massachusetts (now Mount Holyoke College). She graduated in 1837 and then returned to Washington, D.C., where she taught at a girls’ school for two years. In 1839, she married William Eustis Campbell, a lawyer from Boston. The couple had three children together.
In 1848, Mary’s husband died suddenly of pneumonia. Widowed at thirty-one with three young children to support, Mary decided to go back to school herself and earn a teaching certificate from
The Life and Legacy of Mary Camilla Bonsal Campbell: A Pioneer in the Women’s Rights Movement
Mary Camilla Bonsal Campbell was born on August 1, 1839 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Her father was a wealthy merchant and her mother was a stay-at-home mom. Mary was the oldest of seven children. When she was two years old, her family moved to New York City. As a child, Mary loved learning and spending time with her younger siblings.
In 1857, Mary graduated from the prestigious Misses Mason’s School for Young Ladies in Manhattan. After graduation, she enrolled at Mount Holyoke Female Seminary (now Mount Holyoke College) in South Hadley, Massachusetts. While attending Mount Holyoke, Mary became involved in the women’s rights movement. In 1860, she attended the first National Women’s Rights Convention in Worcester, Massachusetts.
After graduation from Mount Holyoke in 1862, Mary returned to New York City and taught at a girls’ school for two years. In 1864, she married John Wister Haines and had three sons with him: John Wister Haines Jr., Edward Bonsal Haines, and Arthur Campbell Haines.
In 1868, Mary’s husband died of tuberculosis and she was left to raise their three young sons alone. Determined to provide for her family, Mary went back to teaching and also began writing articles for magazines and newspapers about education and women’s rights. In 1870, she published a book called “Woman: Her Position, Influence, & Power”,
