On Monday, Feb. 27 at 12:30 pm, the HCC Women of Wisdom lecture series will present a discussion on Prudence Crandall (1803 – 1890), Quaker abolitionist and teacher. Ms. Crandall opened a private school for girls in Canterbury, Conn. in 1831 and admitted its first African-American student, Sarah Harris, daughter of a free African-American local farmer, in 1833.

Ms. Crandall’s response to the controversy that ensued, was to make her school exclusively for African- American girls. In 1833, 20 African-American girls from out of state and the surrounding areas were enrolled. Intense disturbance and judicial proceedings followed and, for safety reasons, Ms. Crandall closed the school in 1834.

The lecture will be presented by HCC Assistant English professor Robert Nelson. It takes place in the HCC Women’s Center in Beacon Hall. The public is invited at no charge.