February 16, 2024

MURRAY, KY – The Second lecture in the Murray State University Department of History and Calloway County Public Library Community Spring History Lecture Series will be presented on Sunday, March 10 at 2:00 pm at the Calloway County Public Library. Guest speaker for the event will be Dr. Eleanor Rivera who will present her lecture entitled Schools for All: The Primary Education of Girls in France, 1880-1914.

In the 1880s, France embarked on an ambitious plan to reorganize their educational system. The cornerstone of this reform was the promise of free, compulsory and secular primary education for boys and girls. While the education of all children was seen as crucial for the nation, the education of girls was seen as particularly in need of reform. A vision of secular, single-sex education for girls that would prepare them to be good citizens emerged in this period. As part of Women’s History Month, this talk will discuss the education of girls and the role of female teachers in France between 1880 and 1914. In an era of nationalism, properly guiding the formation of citizens of all genders was seen as crucial.

Eleanor L. Rivera is an Associate Professor of History at Murray State University. A historian of France, she has published several articles on the history of education, childhood, and religion. Dr. Rivera received her PhD from the University of Chicago in 2015.

The lecture is presented free of charge, and all interested community members are invited to attend.

For more information, please email contactccpl@callowaycountylibrary.org.