Ewha Womans University (Korean: 이화여자대학교, Hanja: 梨花女子大學校) is a private women's university in central Seoul, South Korea founded in 1886 by the American Methodist Episcopal missionary Mary F. Scranton. It is currently the world's largest female educational institute and is one of the most prestigious universities in South Korea. It is also the most prestigious Womans university in South Korea.