Jessica Garretson Finch facts for kids

Jessica Garretson Finch (born August 19, 1871 – died October 31, 1949) was an important American educator and writer. She was a strong supporter of women's rights. She founded the Lennox School for girls and was the first president of Finch College.

Early Life and Education

Jessica Finch was born on August 19, 1871. Her father, Rev. Ferdinand Van De Vere Garretson, was a Congregational minister. Her mother was Helen Philbrick Garretson. When Jessica was 12, her family moved from New York to Franconia, New Hampshire.

She attended Dow Academy and the Cambridge Latin School. Jessica then went to Barnard College, graduating in 1893. This was the first class to graduate from this new college for women. She wanted to study law at Columbia University. However, the Law School did not accept women at that time. Jessica did not give up. She earned her law degree (LL.B.) from New York University School of Law in 1898.

Working for Women's Rights

Jessica Finch was a well-known suffragette. This means she worked hard for women to get the right to vote. She was the president of the New York Equal Franchise Society. Finch strongly believed that women should have careers.

In 1912, she described herself as a "Socialist." This meant she believed in a society where everyone shares resources. Later, her views changed, and she was called a "liberal." This means she supported progress and individual freedoms.

When she was a college student in the 1890s, Jessica gave public talks. These talks helped her earn money. She continued to lecture young women on many topics. She also tutored students in subjects like Greek after college.

Jessica Finch was a founding member of the Colony Club. She was also an author. Some of her books include Mothers and Daughters, Psychology of Youth, and Flower and Kitchen Gardens.

In February 1908, Finch gave a speech in New York City. She talked about how education could bring about a "Renaissance of man." She believed that people would live better lives in the future. They would be less selfish and work for everyone's progress.

In June 1949, New York University gave her an honorary degree. This was a Doctorate of Humane Letters. They recognized her for founding a college for women. They noted her belief that women could have both a family and a career.

Founding Finch College

Jessica Finch founded the Finch School in 1900. She wanted to provide career training for young women. She felt that her own education at Barnard College had not fully prepared her or her classmates to earn a living.

Interestingly, the Finch School became known as a famous "finishing school" in the U.S. These schools taught social skills and etiquette. However, Finch's original idea was to prepare women for careers.

She founded the school, which later became Finch Junior College and then Finch College after 1952. She believed women should be ready for jobs. Her vision was that women would work until they got married, around age 25. Then, they would raise children for about 15 years. After that, around age 40, they could return to paid work for another 30 years.

In 1916, Finch also founded the Lennox School. This was a primary school for younger girls. It prepared them to enter the Finch School. The Lennox School hired Kitty Kenney and Jennie Kenney as joint heads. They led the school until they retired in 1929. The Kenney sisters had been trained by Maria Montessori, a famous educator. They were also strong supporters of women's right to vote.

Family Life

Jessica Finch was married to James Wells Finch. They had a daughter named Elsie. The couple later divorced. In 1913, Jessica married John O'Hara Cosgrave. He was an editor for the New York World newspaper. John Cosgrave died in 1947.

Her daughter, Elsie Finch McKeogh, became a literary agent in New York.

Later Years and Death

Jessica Finch passed away at her home in Manhattan on October 31, 1949.