Sarah Bates Lawrence (1846–1926) was a prominent 19th- and early 20th-century American philanthropist and advocate for women's education. Born in 1846, she married William Van Duzer Lawrence, a successful real estate developer, and together they became key supporters of initiatives promoting higher learning for women, despite Sarah never attending college herself. Their philanthropy laid the foundation for Sarah Lawrence College, an innovative institution emphasizing individualized education inspired by the progressive theories of John Dewey. Initially established as a women's junior college on the family's Bronxville, New York estate in 1926, it reflected the Lawrences' commitment to personalized, culturally enriched learning for young women of diverse interests and temperaments. In 1889, after relocating to New York City with her husband, Sarah immersed herself in social reform efforts, particularly those advancing opportunities for women. She served on the Board of Managers of the New York Exchange for Women’s Work, an organization aiding employed women, and later became its president, demonstrating her leadership in women's labor and welfare causes. In 1916, the Lawrences acquired a summer home in Daytona, Florida, where Sarah became actively involved in supporting African American educator Mary McLeod Bethune's Bethune-Cookman College, contributing to efforts in Black higher education and community development in the South. Her legacy endures through the enduring impact of Sarah Lawrence College, which transitioned to a four-year baccalaureate program and eventually became coeducational. Her work exemplified early feminist philanthropy, bridging women's education, social services, and interracial support in an era of significant gender and racial barriers.