Fidelia Fisk
This excerpt from the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missionary (A.B.C.F.M.) describes the role of female missionaries during the 19th century. Women had a very difficult time establishing themselves as missionaries for many reasons. For instance, the industrial revolution caused more men to be away from the house which forced females to take care of domestic issues. Most missionary work was also deemed clerical and therefore was only given to males. After Pliny Fisk had died, his niece Fidelia traveled to Persia and set up a school for young girls. The establishment of schools such as the one that Fidelia founded were positive steps forward for women in missionary work.