Salem in Washington County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Sarah Parke Morrison

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 16, 2024

1. Sarah Parke Morrison Marker, Side One

Inscription. Scholar, reformer, and advocate for women's equal education, Sarah Parke Morrison was born near here in 1833. Responding to a petition from Morrison, Indiana University narrowly voted to begin accepting women on equal terms as men in 1867. Although she was already a college graduate and teacher, Morrison enrolled at IU and became its first female graduate in 1869.

As Adjunct Professor of English, Morrison became the first female IU faculty member in 1874. She advocated for equal representation of women as IU faculty and administrators. Morrison spoke widely for the Women's Christian Temperance Union and the Society of Friends. She continued her studies at IU and authored several books and poems before her death in 1919.

Erected 2021 by Indiana Historical Bureau • Indiana University Office of the Bicentennial. (Marker Number 88.2021.1.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Civil Rights • Education • Women. In addition, it is included in the Indiana Historical Bureau Markers series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1833.

Location. 38° 36.736′ N, 86° 6.46′ W.

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

Marker is in Salem, Indiana, in Washington County. It is at the intersection of North Shelby Street and Bruce Street, on the right when traveling north on North Shelby Street. Marker is on the west side of Salem High School. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 900 N Shelby St, Salem IN 47167, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southern Indiana.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Washington County Courthouse / Salem Downtown Historic District (approx. 0.6 miles away); Washington County Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.6 miles away); Christopher Harrison (approx. 0.6 miles away); Washington County Honor Rolls Memorial (approx. 0.6 miles away); Salem Suffers (approx. 0.6 miles away); Morgan's Raid (approx. 0.6 miles away); a different

Sarah Parke Morrison Marker, Side Two image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 16, 2024

2. Sarah Parke Morrison Marker, Side Two

marker also named Washington County Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.6 miles away); Brock Cemetery (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Salem.

Also see . . . Reluctant Renegade: Sarah Parke Morrison and Women’s Equality at Indiana University. Scholar and reformer Sarah Parke Morrison is best remembered as the first female student and then professor at Indiana University. But she took on the role of trailblazer reluctantly, as she feared being the target of backlash against this furthering of women’s equality. Her fears were not unfounded. (Jill Weiss Simins, Indiana Historical Bureau "Untold Indiana" blog, Oct. 22, 2020) (Submitted on July 10, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Sarah Parke Morrison Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 16, 2024

3. Sarah Parke Morrison Marker

Sarah Parke Morrison (1833-1916) image. Click for full size.

via Indiana University Archives Exhibits (Public Domain), circa 1869

4. Sarah Parke Morrison (1833-1916)

After graduating from IU in 1869, she taught there in 1874-75. In 1908, she returned to IU as a student – taking a post-graduate course in Greek.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 10, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 9, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 146 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 9, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 4. submitted on July 10, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.