Anna Garlin Spencer
Encyclopedia
Anna Garlin Spencer was an American educator, feminist, and Unitarian
minister. Born in Attleboro, MA, she married the Rev. William H. Spencer in 1878. She was a leader in the women's suffrage
and peace movements. In 1891 she became the first woman ordained as a minister in the state of Rhode Island
. In Providence she was commissioned to develop the Religious Society of Bell Street Chapel which was to be devoted to the religious outlook of James Eddy. She compiled Eddy’s views into a Bond of Union to which members of the new society would subscribe. She was later associated with the New York Society for Ethical Culture (1903–1909) and the New York School of Philanthropy
(1903–1913). In 1909, she signed onto the call to found the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
. Over a long period she was a popular lecturer and wrote on social problems, especially concerning women and family relations. Her writings include Woman's Share in Social Culture (1913) and The Family and Its Members (1922).
Anna Garlin Spencer had many accomplishments. She was an associate director of the NY school for social work and staff lecturer at the NY school of Philanthropy. From 1908 to 1911, she was a special lecturer at the University of Wisconsin and director of the Summer School of Ethics for the American Ethical Union. From 1901 to 1911, she also lectured at the Institute of Municipal and Social Services in Milwaukee. In 1913, she was a professor of sociology and ethic at the Meadville Theological School.
In 1919, she removed herself to New York
. From this time on, she gave numerous lectures at Teachers College of Columbia University. She still remained active in a number of organizations that included many interests, such as women’s rights, social work, and religious education.
, especially as women were no longer shut up at home but were starting to become a part of the public society that once belonged exclusively to men. By promoting the “individuation of women,” Spencer hoped to give insight into the lack of rights women had.
was based on three ideas: that the family institution should be preserved, that it should be modified to adapt to the changes in modern society, and noting the change in family order. According to the book one huge impact on the family institution is society, which wants to control the family structure and influence the family to “conform” to social norms. Women are no longer silent in society; they are now recognized and play a role
Democracy once relied heavily on the strong educational upbringing of children (once the women’s role). Now that women’s roles have changed, women and their families have to find a new balance to still have a strong child upbringing. This solid upbringing will lead to a more beneficial society. Spencer hopes that society will move towards gender equality and decrease its influence over the family structure. Throughout this book, Spencer suggests ways the family can be more democratic and be strengthened by this new role for women.
For instance, she explains that girls only work a few years, from when they are old enough to hold a job until marriage
. With the brief work experience, women are not taking advantage of education
. Because women know they are only going to spend a brief period in the workforce
, they settle for low-paying jobs and poor working conditions. She believes receiving an education only to stop working and stop using this education after marriage is a waste of the education.
She advocates that women return to work part-time after child-bearing. She also acknowledges women's right to independence.
.
Columbia University. "Anna Garlin Spencer." Teachers College Record 32.7 (1931): 656-657. Print.
Pruette, Lorine. "University of North Carolina Press." Woman's Share in Social Culture 4.1 (1925): 243-244. Jstor. Web. 6 Mar. 2010.
Spencer, Anna Garlin. "Chicago Journals." Problems of Marriage and Divorce 19.4 (1909): 443-465. Jstor. Web. 6 Mar. 2010.
Spencer, Anna Garlin. The Family And Its Members. 1st Edition. ed. Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott, 1923. Print.
Spencer, Anna Garlin. Women's Share in Social Culture. 2 ed. Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott Company, 1925. Print.
Unitarianism
Unitarianism is a Christian theological movement, named for its understanding of God as one person, in direct contrast to Trinitarianism which defines God as three persons coexisting consubstantially as one in being....
minister. Born in Attleboro, MA, she married the Rev. William H. Spencer in 1878. She was a leader in the women's suffrage
Women's suffrage
Women's suffrage or woman suffrage is the right of women to vote and to run for office. The expression is also used for the economic and political reform movement aimed at extending these rights to women and without any restrictions or qualifications such as property ownership, payment of tax, or...
and peace movements. In 1891 she became the first woman ordained as a minister in the state of Rhode Island
Rhode Island
The state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
. In Providence she was commissioned to develop the Religious Society of Bell Street Chapel which was to be devoted to the religious outlook of James Eddy. She compiled Eddy’s views into a Bond of Union to which members of the new society would subscribe. She was later associated with the New York Society for Ethical Culture (1903–1909) and the New York School of Philanthropy
New York School of Philanthropy
The New York School of Philanthropy was established in 1904. The School had its origins in 1898 with the first Summer School in Philanthropic Work offered in New York City. It was the first higher education program in the United States to train people in the field of social work. It began as a...
(1903–1913). In 1909, she signed onto the call to found the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, usually abbreviated as NAACP, is an African-American civil rights organization in the United States, formed in 1909. Its mission is "to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to...
. Over a long period she was a popular lecturer and wrote on social problems, especially concerning women and family relations. Her writings include Woman's Share in Social Culture (1913) and The Family and Its Members (1922).
Biography
Anna Garlin Spencer was born April 17, 1851 in Attleboro, MA. At the age of eighteen she began to write for the Providence Journal. In 1878, Anna Garlin Spencer married Reverend William Spencer. After twelve years of marriage, Rev. Spencer became an invalid. In 1891, she became the first woman minister of RI at Bell Street Chapel of Providence, RI. In 1893, she spoke at the World Parliament of Religion during the Chicago Fair. In 1903, she became an associate leader of the NY Society for Ethical Culture.Anna Garlin Spencer had many accomplishments. She was an associate director of the NY school for social work and staff lecturer at the NY school of Philanthropy. From 1908 to 1911, she was a special lecturer at the University of Wisconsin and director of the Summer School of Ethics for the American Ethical Union. From 1901 to 1911, she also lectured at the Institute of Municipal and Social Services in Milwaukee. In 1913, she was a professor of sociology and ethic at the Meadville Theological School.
In 1919, she removed herself to New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. From this time on, she gave numerous lectures at Teachers College of Columbia University. She still remained active in a number of organizations that included many interests, such as women’s rights, social work, and religious education.
Women’s Share in Social Culture
Spencer’s book Women’s Share in Social Culture was published in 1913, and noted women’s lack of equality at this time. She pressed the need for gender equalityGender equality
Gender equality is the goal of the equality of the genders, stemming from a belief in the injustice of myriad forms of gender inequality.- Concept :...
, especially as women were no longer shut up at home but were starting to become a part of the public society that once belonged exclusively to men. By promoting the “individuation of women,” Spencer hoped to give insight into the lack of rights women had.
The Family and Its Members
Published in 1922, this book shows the importance of the family and its foundation. This publicationPublication
To publish is to make content available to the public. While specific use of the term may vary among countries, it is usually applied to text, images, or other audio-visual content on any medium, including paper or electronic publishing forms such as websites, e-books, Compact Discs and MP3s...
was based on three ideas: that the family institution should be preserved, that it should be modified to adapt to the changes in modern society, and noting the change in family order. According to the book one huge impact on the family institution is society, which wants to control the family structure and influence the family to “conform” to social norms. Women are no longer silent in society; they are now recognized and play a role
Democracy once relied heavily on the strong educational upbringing of children (once the women’s role). Now that women’s roles have changed, women and their families have to find a new balance to still have a strong child upbringing. This solid upbringing will lead to a more beneficial society. Spencer hopes that society will move towards gender equality and decrease its influence over the family structure. Throughout this book, Spencer suggests ways the family can be more democratic and be strengthened by this new role for women.
Impact of Spencer’s Work
Spencer wrote many scholarly books about women, especially with regard to women’s work and positions.For instance, she explains that girls only work a few years, from when they are old enough to hold a job until marriage
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
. With the brief work experience, women are not taking advantage of education
Education
Education in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...
. Because women know they are only going to spend a brief period in the workforce
Workforce
The workforce is the labour pool in employment. It is generally used to describe those working for a single company or industry, but can also apply to a geographic region like a city, country, state, etc. The term generally excludes the employers or management, and implies those involved in...
, they settle for low-paying jobs and poor working conditions. She believes receiving an education only to stop working and stop using this education after marriage is a waste of the education.
She advocates that women return to work part-time after child-bearing. She also acknowledges women's right to independence.
Other Resources
"Anna Garlin Spencer." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., 7 Apr. 2010. Web. 20 Apr. 2010.Columbia University. "Anna Garlin Spencer." Teachers College Record 32.7 (1931): 656-657. Print.
Pruette, Lorine. "University of North Carolina Press." Woman's Share in Social Culture 4.1 (1925): 243-244. Jstor. Web. 6 Mar. 2010.
Spencer, Anna Garlin. "Chicago Journals." Problems of Marriage and Divorce 19.4 (1909): 443-465. Jstor. Web. 6 Mar. 2010.
Spencer, Anna Garlin. The Family And Its Members. 1st Edition. ed. Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott, 1923. Print.
Spencer, Anna Garlin. Women's Share in Social Culture. 2 ed. Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott Company, 1925. Print.