Finding women 'under the dead leaves of history': An historical analysis of the social and educational thought of Mary Ritter Beard

Mary Ritter Beard (1876–1958) was a pioneering scholar in women's history and a social reformer during the Progressive Era. She campaigned for women's suffrage, advocated improved conditions for the working class, and critiqued women's education, but it was her vision of women's history that most vividly shaped her life and work. It is primarily in this context that she makes her contribution to the dialogue on social education.; Traditionally known as the wife of noted American historian Charles A. Beard, Mary Ritter Beard played no direct role in the structural development of social studies as a field, but she, more than anyone else of her generation, applied theories of history and social education to women. Beard believed that women's history must be included in curriculum at all levels and made accessible through standard textbooks and curriculum materials. She contended that by portraying women as powerful agents of history who contributed to every aspect of the human experience, teachers could nurture a sense of civic responsibility among young women.; This study examines the context in which Mary Beard developed her ideas and traces the roots of her social and educational thought, including her Midwestern upbringing, her years spent at De Pauw University, her sojourn to England at the turn-of-the-century, and her work as an activist. The main goal of the study is to connect Beard's ideas to social studies education and to consider why it is important to study her in this context. The central element of the study focuses on Beard's treatment of key social studies concepts such as democracy, citizenship, and history. Beard's numerous educational projects, including her involvement in the World Center for Women's Archives, are also discussed. The final chapter considers Beard's relevance in social studies education today.; Based on historical research, this dissertation relies on the published works of Mary Beard (she wrote or edited eight books on her own and wrote six more with her husband) as well as on many archival resources. In addition to letters, notes, manuscripts, speeches, and photographs, media sources, including book reviews, articles, and obituaries, were also consulted.