Woman of the Century/Sarah Carmichael Harrell

2278115Woman of the Century — Sarah Carmichael Harrell

SARAH CARMICHAEL HARRELL. HARRELL, Mrs. Sarah Carmiehael, educator and reformer, born in Brookville, Ind., 8th January, 1844. Her maiden name was Sarah Carmichael. In 1859 she began to teach in the public schools of Indiana, and for twelve years was remarkably successful, being the first woman teacher to receive equal wages with male teachers in south-east Indiana. Mrs. Harrell entered the primary class in Brookville College when eight years of age, and while still in the intermediate class she left college to take charge of her first school. She has always felt a deep interest in educational matters, especially in the splendid public schools of her native State, whose plans and curriculum have been enriched by many valuable original suggestions from her. In literature her work has been excellent. Under various pen-names she has written articles on floriculture, educational items and letters of travel. She became the wife, in 1872, of Hon. S. S. Harrell, a successful lawyer, now serving his fourth term in the State legislature. Her family consists of two daughters. She was appointed one of the Board of World's Fair Managers of Indiana by Governor Hovey. She is a member and the secretary of the educational committee and one of the committee on woman's work. Her efficiency in each of these responsible positions is well known, but her greatest work is the origination and carrying to a successful completion of the plan known as the "Penny School Collection Fund of Indiana." to be used in the educational exhibit in the Columbian Exposition. Besides these positions, she is superintendent of scientific temperance instruction for Indiana, and is preparing to secure the enactment of a law to regulate the study of temperance in the public schools.