In 1980, 49 out of 50 school superintendents were men. That gap has since narrowed a bit, but the numbers are still rather lop-sided. Today, 77% of the teachers in American public schools are women, but only 30% of the districts are led by a female superintendent.
Things are improving, but there’s work to do, and the road to district leadership hasn’t always been open to everyone — which is why this Women’s History Month, we’re highlighting three of the first American women to step into that role, despite countless barriers and a glaring lack of precedent.
Phebe Sudlow in Davenport, Iowa
In 1874, Phebe Sudlow became the very first woman to be appointed as a public school superintendent in the United States. When the school board offered her a lower salary than her male predecessor, she successfully pushed back.
"Gentlemen, if you are cutting the salary because of my experience, I have nothing to say, but if you are doing this because I am a woman, I'll have nothing more to do with it." — Phebe Sudlow
Sudlow was also a teacher and advocate. In 1878, she became the first woman to hold a professorship at the University of Iowa, despite not having a formal degree herself—another formidable accomplishment at a time when many women were still fighting for the right to attend college at all.
Side note: Sudlow would be happy to know that pay inequities have leveled off. In fact, in 2023, District Administration reported that nationwide, female superintendents’ salaries were 1% higher than those of male superintendents.
Ella Flagg Young in Chicago, Illinois
In 1909, Ella Flagg Young became the first female superintendent in a large city district: Chicago Public Schools, which served 290,000 students. Her credentials were undeniable. Not only did she have decades of experience as a teacher, principal and administrator, but she was also a scholar under John Dewey, one of the most influential figures in education.
Young prioritized a few things that weren’t common practice at the time. She believed that teachers should have a say in school decision making and that collaboration between teachers and administrators was critical—approaches that are increasingly shaping educational leadership models to this day.
"Someday the system will be such that students and teachers will come to school with ecstatic joy." — Ella Flagg Young
A year later, Young became the first woman to be elected president of the National Education Association (NEA), one of the largest organizations representing teachers and school administrators.
Dr. Constance Clayton in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
In 1982, the School District of Philadelphia was struggling with budget cuts, racial inequities and declining student performance. Dr. Constance Clayton became the first Black woman to serve as superintendent, and she transformed the way the district approached students. She was passionate about setting high expectations for all students and developing more inclusive curricula.
“I made every decision based on what was good for our kids.” — Dr. Constance Clayton
Exceptional District Leadership Shapes the Future
While these were some of the first women in district leadership roles, countless others have since driven meaningful change. They’ve pushed for more inclusive curricula, better professional development and more engaging learning environments. They’ve championed critical thinking, collaboration and hands-on learning. They continue to lead some of the largest and most complex school districts in the country. Their impact is felt in every area of education, and we know that as the number of female superintendents continues to grow, so will the districts they serve.
