Dr Mary Walker Civil War: The Courageous Physician Who Defied All Odds

During the American Civil War, countless tales of courage and bravery emerged from the battlefield. Heroes and heroines alike, standing their ground against all odds. Among them, one name shines bright: Dr Mary Walker.

Dr Mary Walker, born on November 26, 1832, in Oswego, New York, was a remarkable woman who defied societal norms and made history with her unwavering determination and medical expertise. Not only did she become an accomplished physician, but she also actively participated in the Civil War, serving as a surgeon in the Union Army.

From a young age, Dr Mary Walker displayed a keen interest in medicine. In a time when the idea of women pursuing higher education was frowned upon, she went against the grain and attended Syracuse Medical College. It was there that she graduated with honors in 1855, becoming one of the first few female doctors in the United States.

Dr. Mary Walker's Civil War: One Woman's Journey to the Medal of Honor and the Fight for Women's Rights

by Theresa Kaminski(Kindle Edition)

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3041 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	327 pages

FREE

While her achievement as a female doctor was groundbreaking, it was her involvement in the Civil War that truly showcased her exceptional courage and determination. When the war broke out in 1861, Dr Mary Walker volunteered to serve in the army as a surgeon, but her offer was initially rejected due to her gender. However, she refused to accept this injustice and finally managed to secure a medical contract with the Army. Undeterred by the challenges she faced, she joined the Union Army's Ohio 52nd Infantry as an assistant surgeon.

Dr Walker's experiences on the battlefield were nothing short of extraordinary. She endured harsh conditions and unimaginable horrors, witnessing the devastating impact the war had on soldiers' lives firsthand. She tirelessly worked day and night, saving countless lives and providing solace to wounded soldiers. Despite facing constant discrimination and skepticism from her male counterparts, Dr Mary Walker's resolve never wavered.

Her dedication and expertise soon earned her the respect and admiration of both her colleagues and the soldiers she treated. Dr Walker even made history by becoming the first female surgeon to be appointed by the United States Army Medical Department. Her invaluable contributions did not go unnoticed.

During her service, Dr Mary Walker was captured by Confederate forces in 1864 and taken as a prisoner of war. She spent four long months in a grim Confederate prison, enduring physical and psychological torment. However, even in such dire circumstances, her spirit remained unbroken. She continued to provide medical aid to her fellow prisoners, constantly defying adversity.

After the war, Dr Walker was awarded the Medal of Honor in 1865, the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. She became the first and only woman to ever receive this prestigious honor for her exemplary services during the Civil War.

However, Dr Mary Walker's inspiring journey did not end there. In addition to her remarkable military service, she remained an advocate for women's rights and tirelessly fought for gender equality throughout her life. She strongly believed that women should have the opportunity to pursue any career they desired, breaking barriers and paving the way for future generations of women in medicine.

Despite facing criticism and ridicule, Dr Mary Walker continued to wear unconventional clothing, including trousers and a tailored coat. This bold decision was a deliberate act of defiance against societal expectations of how women should dress, further challenging gender norms and reaffirming her commitment to gender equality.

Dr Walker's incredible legacy lives on, inspiring countless individuals around the world. Her unwavering dedication to her profession and her unwavering courage in the face of adversity will forever be remembered.

, Dr Mary Walker was an extraordinary individual who defied all odds during the Civil War. Through her exemplary service as a surgeon and her unwavering determination to challenge societal norms, she left an indelible mark on history. Her story serves as a stark reminder of the importance of courage, perseverance, and the fight for equality in an ever-changing world.

Dr. Mary Walker's Civil War: One Woman's Journey to the Medal of Honor and the Fight for Women's Rights

by Theresa Kaminski(Kindle Edition)

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3041 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	327 pages

FREE

“I will always be somebody.”

This assertion, a startling one from a nineteenth-century woman, drove the life of Dr. Mary Edwards Walker, the only American woman ever to receive the Medal of Honor. President Andrew Johnson issued the award in 1865 in recognition of the incomparable medical service Walker rendered during the Civil War. Yet few people today know anything about the woman so well-known--even notorious--in her own lifetime. Kaminski shares a different way of looking at the Civil War, through the eyes of a woman confident she could make a contribution equal to that of any man. This part of the story takes readers into the political cauldron of the nation’s capital in wartime, where Walker was a familiar if notorious figure. Mary Walker’s relentless pursuit of gender and racial equality is key to understanding her commitment to a Union victory in the Civil War. Her role in the women’s suffrage movement became controversial and the US Army stripped Walker of her medal, only to have the medal reinstated in 1977.