Virginia Randolph Ellett, affectionately known as Miss Jennie, was the founder and first headmistress of St. Catherine’s School in Richmond, Virginia. From 1890-1939, she was leader of school that began modestly in a dining room of a boarding house and grew to one of the leading independent girls’ schools in the nation. Considered a pioneer in the field of education and a key figure in the history of women’s education in the South, Ellet’s spirit and standards for women still guide the school she created.
Ellet was a life-long learner. She spent summers studying at Harvard University and at nearly 70 years old, she studied at Oxford.
Ellet was a life-long learner. She spent summers studying at Harvard University and at nearly 70 years old, she studied at Oxford.
Ellet died on Easter Day at the age of 82. Her epitaph was written by James Branch Cabell.
Inscription:
Foremost In Learning And In Faith And Aid
Pre-Eminent All Tireless Never Fond
But Resolute In Progress And Afraid
Only Of Finding No More Work Beyond
Foremost In Learning And In Faith And Aid
Pre-Eminent All Tireless Never Fond
But Resolute In Progress And Afraid
Only Of Finding No More Work Beyond
Always good to hear about people in the past advancing women's education. Not to sound old but some kids these days could do with a course on how lucky they are ;)
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