She played an important role in the early history of Chicago, founding the Garrett Bible Institute and contributing to the education of women.Through her association with the Church, Garrett became aware of the lacking educational facilities for Methodist clergy in the region.[4] Inheriting a considerable portion of his fortune, Garrett became determined to establish a biblical institute and opportunities for women's education in the young city.Despite having to make considerable payments of her husband's debts, Garrett was able to found the North Western Female College, a preparatory school for girls, in 1854.[1] Garrett's desire to create a biblical institute became a controversy within the Methodist Church's upper ranks, due to a view held by some at the time that a surplus of education would degrade the holiness of the clergy.
An 1858 engraving of Garrett, based on an earlier photograph
