Abby W. May

The New England Female Medical College, founded in 1848, was here. It trained women in medicine, including Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler (1831-1895), the first African American woman doctor.

Lucretia Crocker (1829–86), first woman supervisor in Boston Public Schools, appointed in 1876, pioneered math and science teaching. She was also one of the first women on the School Committee. ​

The Tontine Crescent, designed by Charles Bulfinch, was home to notable women like Judith Sargent Murray (1751-1820) and Abby May (1829-88).

Women served on the Boston School Committee before they could vote. In 1875, six women were elected, including Lucretia Crocker (1829-1886) and Abby May (1829-1888), advocating reforms/

Ellen Swallow Richards (1842-1911), the first woman to study at MIT, pioneered sanitary engineering and home economics, establishing the Woman’s Laboratory in 1875.