Martha Carey Thomas

Thomas, Martha Carey (1857–1935), U.S. leader in higher education and women's suffrage movement. She served as president of Bryn Mawr College (1894–1922), following 9 years as a dean and professor of English. The rigorous student requirements and course curriculum she endorsed upgraded academic possibilities for women in the United States. She also served as president of the National College Equal Suffrage League (1908–17), working to gain women the right to vote. Thomas earned a PhD at the University of Zurich in Switzerland, because few U.S. graduate schools accepted women at that time.

See also: Woman suffrage.