Mary Edwards Walker was born in Oswego, New York, on this day in 1832.
She was the youngest child of free-thinking Christians, raised to think critically, and to challenge gender roles. She attended the Syracuse Medical College (now the SUNY Upstate Medical University), the only woman in her class, in 1855.
She was briefly married to another physician, but divorced due to his infidelity.
Dr Walker attracted attention for her eccentric dress for the day, wearing men’s trousers under dresses. Later she simply wore men’s clothing.
When the Civil War began she was only allowed to work as a nurse, later as a volunteer surgeon, and finally as a “contract acting assistant surgeon (civilian).” This made her the first woman to be employed by the Army as a surgeon. Absolutely fearless, she would cross the lines to bring medical attention to the wounded. In 1864, in such a situation and shortly after assisting a Confederate surgeon in an operation was arrested and charged as a Union spy. Four months later she was exchanged for a Confederate surgeon.
After the war General William Tecumseh Sherman and others nominated her for the Medal of Honor. She was awarded it in 1865, to this date the only woman so honored.
The citation read: Whereas it appears from official reports that Dr. Mary E. Walker, a graduate of medicine, “has rendered valuable service to the Government, and her efforts have been earnest and untiring in a variety of ways,” and that she was assigned to duty and served as an assistant surgeon in charge of female prisoners at Louisville, Ky., upon the recommendation of Major-Generals Sherman and Thomas, and faithfully served as contract surgeon in the service of the United States, and has devoted herself with much patriotic zeal to the sick and wounded soldiers, both in the field and hospitals, to the detriment of her own health, and has also endured hardships as a prisoner of war four months in a Southern prison while acting as contract surgeon; and Whereas by reason of her not being a commissioned officer in the military service, a brevet or honorary rank cannot, under existing laws, be conferred upon her; and Whereas in the opinion of the President an honorable recognition of her services and sufferings should be made. It is ordered, That a testimonial thereof shall be hereby made and given to the said Dr. Mary E. Walker, and that the usual medal of honor for meritorious services be given her.
In later years Dr Walker had various occupations, and wrote two books. She attempted to vote 1871, but was refused. She died in 1919 one year before women won the right to vote.
Someone to remember.
And celebrate…
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