Esther Herrman

Esther Herrman (August 7, 1823 – July 4, 1911) was a Dutch-born American activist for women's suffrage and the pursuit of higher education. She was most known for her philanthropic activities as one of the founders of Barnard College and being in Sorosis, an early women's club created to promote women's rights.

Early life Esther Mendels was born August 7, 1823 in Utrecht, the Netherlands. After the death of her mother, she came to the United States in 1827. She had three sisters: Adelaide, Gamma, and Jette. In 1843, she married Henry Herrman (1822–1889), who was an immigrant from Baden, Germany. The two spent their early years in New York City but decided to move to New Bedford, Massachusetts, in 1847, where they had their first two children, Sophia and Henrietta. When they relocated to Boston, they had their third child, Abraham. During this transition, Henry Herrman changed from being a sailing vessel supplier to managing a clothing business. ), the family moved into a more affluent neighborhood in 1871. Before Henry Herrman died in 1889, he left his wife and children with considerable financial security.

Esther Herrman was Jewish. The New York Academy of Sciences received a gift from Herrman as well (1901), to create a new building that but it was ultimately used for aiding scientific research instead.

Herrman pursued her philanthropic work until her death on July 4, 1911, at her home in New York City.