As we celebrate Women in Leadership as part of our 150th
anniversary, we honor a true pioneer in adult education and a pivotal figure in
Peirce’s rich history, Mary B. Peirce.
Mary B. Peirce, the eldest daughter of Thomas May Peirce,
became the third principal of Peirce school when she assumed the role in 1898.
She holds the distinction of the longest serving principal at Peirce College,
having held the position for 62 years until her death in 1960.
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| Mary B. Peirce, a true pioneer in adult education and a pivotal figure in Peirce College history |
Being aware of the prejudice during the time period against
women holding positions of power, she initially had misgivings about accepting
the position. However, after encouragement from prominent businessmen such as
John Wanamaker and Boise Penrose along with other friends of her father, she
accepted the position. Nonetheless, she still adopted the practice of using
only her initials, M.B. to disguise her femininity.
Mary Peirce was highly educated having attended Philadelphia
High School for Girls and as a graduate of Dickinson College. However, she had
little administrative experience and thus would delegate out some of the
day-to-day operations to school director, Louis B. Moffett.
During her time at Peirce, the school would see growth and
expansion in all areas, from enrollment to curriculum and even international
relations. She played an instrumental role in guiding the school into the 20th
century, and led the school through pivotal events such as the Depression, both
World Wars, and technological advancements on a scale the world had never seen
before.
Among many achievements, Mary Peirce was responsible for the
creation of the Spanish-American department at Peirce, the establishment of the
Information Department, which was “maintained not only for the benefit of its
graduates and former students, but for the general public as well,” and in
1915, the move to Peirce’s current location at 1420 Broad St. An innovator in
her time, she established the Advertising course in 1901, the Secretarial
course in 1910, and Peirce’s new two-year option in 1920.
