Clarina Howard and Women’s Rights (1810-1885)
Clarina Howard was born January 25, 1810 in West Townshend, Vermont. Her parents enrolled her in the local school and she had a great deal of success, performing well, and graduating high school as the valedictorian. All of the other graduates were boys. After graduation her parents introduced her to Justin Carpenter. He was ten years older than she and a college graduate. Clarina had enjoyed her education, but her family expected her to marry. At the age of 20 she married Justin. They moved to Manhattan and lived on the dowry her family had provided Justin upon their marriage. She went to New York City willingly, valuing his career over her own. She was interested in writing literature but gave the dream up in order to move to New York. They had three children. Justin began a newspaper and a girl’s boarding school, both of which failed and cost the family most of Clarina’s […]