Drexel Institute and Gender
Inspired by the rising number of educational opportunities for women—through schools like the one established by Matthew Vassar in 1861—and counseled by his wife Ellen and friend George W. Childs, A.J. Drexel began to form the idea of founding a technical school for women. This school was originally planned for a location in Wayne, PA, and was to be called “The Drexel Industrial College for Girls.” In 1886, Drexel and Childs helped fund trade classes at the New Century Guild of Working Women founded by Philadelphia feminist Eliza Sproat Turner. His close relationship with his nieces Elizabeth, Katharine, and Louise Drexel also fed his understanding of the importance of educational opportunities for all people.
At some point, Drexel embraced a co-educational model instead of a women's college. This final idea grew into the Drexel Institute of Art, Science and Industry, now known as Drexel University. Anthony J. Drexel intended this school to be his legacy. A.J. Drexel’s vision for his school would be to provide practical education for the modern world, while also engaging students in appreciation of arts and literature. The importance of the arts was the influence of A.J.’s own early education from his father and day school teacher, who both emphasized studying music, languages, and art. The friendship between Childs and Drexel is often given credit for bringing the Drexel Institute of Art, Science and Industry to fruition, still it must be noted that Ellen Rozet Drexel and a number of women in Drexel's life advocated for the inclusion of women’s education in every aspect of its founding.
