Maria Mitchell (Nantucket 1818 – Lynn 1889) was an American astronomer, the third woman to discover a comet. In 1835 she opened her own school where she developed experimental teaching methods and allowed non-white children to attend her school as well, while the public school was still segregated. She became involved in the anti-slavery movement by refusing to wear clothing made of Southern cotton, she also fought for suffrage and women’s education. She helped found the Association for the Advancement of Women for the advancement of women in higher education.