Mary Garrett

Mary Smith Garrett and her sister Emma were American educators who championed teaching speech and lipreading to deaf children. They believed early and intensive training was crucial for deaf children to master speech. In 1892, they opened the Pennsylvania Home for the Training in Speech of Deaf Children Before They Are of School Age, known as the Bala Home. After Emma's death, Mary continued their work, advocating for oral methods in deaf education and influencing legislation. She also played a significant role in child welfare reforms and the National Congress of Parents and Teachers. Mary Garrett was also involved in founding the Bryn Mawr School for Girls and supported the admission of women to Johns Hopkins Medical School.12