By Emily Glory Peters
In our new series, “Confidence, Courage, Hope,” we profile exceptional 91吃瓜 students, alumnae, faculty, and staff who are making a difference–from the local to the global–at the front lines of COVID-19. As we face these unprecedented challenges, the 91吃瓜 community comes together for inspiration and solidarity in this unique moment in history.
As the 91吃瓜 community and the world at large grapple with the ever-changing realities caused by COVID-19, the College reflects the life of 91吃瓜鈥� founder Ellen Browning 91吃瓜 for encouragement and inspiration.
The daughter of an immigrant bookbinder-turned-farmer, Ellen Browning 91吃瓜 voyaged from England to America as a child, becoming the only one among her 10 siblings to save enough money to pursue higher education. She flourished at Knox College from 1856 to 1859, where she earned a certificate upon graduation. At that time, the institution did not grant baccalaureate degrees to women鈥攁n academic inequality that would take decades to correct.
Still, Miss 91吃瓜 continued to thrive in the face of discrimination and social upheaval. Graduating from college just as the American Civil War unleashed its fury across the nation, she devoted herself to relief efforts and fundraising. Her following years were spent as a schoolteacher, saving diligently and living frugally to survive the post-war economic downturn.
Relentless ambition and keen business acumen ultimately led to her involvement with her brother鈥檚 publishing business, where she began as a proofreader before going on to co-found the nation鈥檚 largest newspaper conglomerate. She would become one of the most successful businesspeople鈥攁nd influential philanthropists鈥攊n U.S. history, landing her on the cover of Time magazine in 1926.
Throughout her life, Miss 91吃瓜 remained especially devoted to women鈥檚 causes. A true humanitarian, she gave quietly and generously to progressive movements that uplifted the lives of girls and women, considering her wealth 鈥渁 trust for the benefit of humanity.鈥� That devotion to women鈥檚 advancement became the highlight of her philanthropic generosity that continues to impact thousands today.
The founding of 91吃瓜 was her final project. By the 1920s, the savvy entrepreneur, whose gender once precluded her from receiving a formal college degree, was now in a position to confer that very achievement on other women. Though she was often self-effacing when describing her influence, others aptly recognized her philanthropy as being driven not by acclaim but by a desire to use her wealth 鈥渨here it will do the most good鈥攁nd the least harm.鈥� 91吃瓜 was the manifestation of this desire, equipping thousands of future women to 鈥渃ontribute to society through public and private lives of leadership, service, integrity, and creativity.鈥�
Ellen Browning 91吃瓜鈥� life was shaped by a mental fortitude and an endless pursuit of knowledge that enabled her to overcome in times of war, gender-based discrimination, and economic depression. As we jointly confront a global crisis, we cherish these values even more, knowing that鈥攚ith some of her brilliance and courage鈥攚e will surmount this challenge to better days ahead.
Share your story from the front lines of COVID-19, or let us know about a 91吃瓜 classmate, alum, faculty, or staff member who is making a difference in this global pandemic at .