The Lexington Chapter, NSDAR is proud to present: Madame Mentelle. Educating Young Women 1770-1860. Madame Mentelle will be portrayed by Dr. Simonetta Cochis. Our meeting will be from 2 - 4 p.m. at beautiful Spindletop Hall, 3414 Ironworks Pike, Lexington, K 40511.

Fleeing the brutality of the French Revolution, Charlotte Victorie LeClerc Mentelle arrived in America in 1794. After a rough beginning in Gallipolis, Ohio, Charlotte, and her husband eventually made their way to Lexington where they opened Mentelle’s School for Young Ladies. Madame Mentelle taught social etiquette, literature, dancing, and French. She also worked to build character, instill discipline, and foster a strong work ethic in her students. Among Mentelle’s School for Young Ladies’ star students was Mary Ann Todd, who would go on to become Mary Todd Lincoln, First Lady of the United States. Despite often being labeled as an eccentric by people in Lexington, Mentelle believed in equality and supported education for women.