Mary Lyon Monument - South Hadley, MA
Posted by: 
neoc1
N 42° 15.391 W 072° 34.449
18T E 700100 N 4681107
Mary Lyon was a pioneer in women's education and founder of the present day Wheaton and Mount Holyoke Colleges.
Waymark Code: WMD2F8
Location: Massachusetts, United States
Date Posted: 11/09/2011
Views: 3
Mary Mason Lyon is the founder of two major colleges for women. She established the Wheaton Female Seminary in Norton, MA, which is now called Wheaton College and also Mount Holyoke Female Seminary, now called Mount Holyoke College and served as its first president for 12 years. Today both colleges are permanent educational institutions.
Mary Lyon is buried is an semi-wooded grove in the middle of the campus of Mount Holyoke College. A monument to her accomplishments marks her grave. The grave is part of many of the ceremonial traditions of the college. During Baccalaureate Seniors and Faculty march to Mary Lyon's grave to lay a wreath. Also, on Founder's Day, ice cream is served in the morning near Mary Lyon's grave. The president and faculty scoop ice cream for the Senior Class who are dressed in cap and gowns.
Mary Lyon was elected to the Hall of Fame of Great Americans in 1905 and the Nation Women's of Fame in 1993. In 1986 the United States Postal Service issued a stamp in her honor.
The Mary Lyon Monument has the following three inscriptions:
MARY LYON
The founder of
Mount Holyoke
Female Seminary
and for twelve years
its Principal.
A Teacher
for thirty five years
and of more than
three thousand Pupils
Born Feb. 28, 1797
Died March 5, 1849
Quote from Mary Lyon
"THERE IS NOTHING IN THE
UNIVERSE THAT I FEAR BUT
THAT I SHALL NOT KNOW ALL
MY DUTY, OR SHALL FAIL
TO DO IT".
A verse from Proverbs 31:31
"Give her of the
fruit of her hands,
and let her own works
praise her in the gates."