Jacoba van den Brande: Pioneer of Women’s Education

Math Science History with Gabrielle Birchak

Episode Overview:

In this Flashcard Friday episode of Math! Science! History! host Gabrielle Birchak shines a light on the incredible story of Jacoba van den Brande, a seventeenth-century Dutch visionary who dared to imagine a world where women could be educated in mathematics, philosophy, and the sciences. Long before women had access to formal education, Jacoba not only excelled in math herself but also proposed the radical idea of an all-female academy. Join us as we explore her life, her bold vision, and how her ideas still echo through the halls of academia today.

Three Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

The life and legacy of Jacoba van den Brande and her place in the history of mathematics.

The barriers women faced in 17th-century Europe when pursuing intellectual and academic opportunities.

Why Jacoba’s vision of an all-female academy remains relevant to ongoing conversations about equity and access in education.

Resources & Further Reading:

Wikipedia entry on Jacoba van den Brande

Women in Science: 50 Fearless Pioneers Who Changed the World by Rachel Ignotofsky

“Women and Science Before the Enlightenment” - Journal Article via JSTOR

Simon Stevin: Biography & Contributions

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