Mary Edwards Walker

American physician and Medal of Honor recipient

Dr. Mary Edwards Walker

Mary Edwards Walker (November 26, 1832 – February 21, 1919) was an American physician, surgeon, women's rights activist, and abolitionist. She is notable for being the only woman to receive the Medal of Honor, the United States' highest military decoration.

Early Life and Education

Mary Edwards Walker was born in the town of Oswego, New York, to Alvah and Vesta Walker. Her parents were progressive thinkers who encouraged their children to pursue education and self-sufficiency. Mary attended the local school and later enrolled at the Syracuse Medical College, where she graduated as a doctor in 1855, one of the few women of her time to earn a medical degree.

Medical Career

After completing her education, Walker established a medical practice in Rome, New York, with her husband, Albert Miller, whom she married in 1855. The practice was not successful, partly due to societal biases against female physicians. Walker and Miller later divorced, and she continued her medical career independently.

Civil War Service

Mary Edwards Walker during the Civil War

During the American Civil War, Walker volunteered as a surgeon for the Union Army. Initially, she was only allowed to serve as a nurse, as women were not permitted to be surgeons. However, her persistence and skill eventually led to her appointment as a contract surgeon, making her the first female surgeon in the U.S. Army.

Walker served in various battles, including the First Battle of Bull Run and the Battle of Fredericksburg. She often crossed enemy lines to treat civilians and soldiers alike. In 1864, she was captured by Confederate forces and held as a prisoner of war for four months before being exchanged.

Medal of Honor

In recognition of her service and dedication, President Andrew Johnson awarded Walker the Medal of Honor in 1865. The citation noted her "patriotic zeal" and "earnest devotion" to the sick and wounded. In 1917, the U.S. Congress revised the criteria for the Medal of Honor, and Walker's name was removed from the list of recipients. However, she continued to wear the medal proudly until her death. In 1977, her medal was posthumously restored by President Jimmy Carter.

Advocacy and Later Life

Mary Edwards Walker in later years

Walker was a staunch advocate for women's rights, including women's suffrage and dress reform. She often wore men's clothing, arguing that it was more practical and comfortable than the restrictive women's attire of the time. Her unconventional dress and outspoken views made her a controversial figure, but she remained committed to her causes throughout her life.

In her later years, Walker continued to lecture and write on issues of health, hygiene, and women's rights. She published several works, including "Hit," an autobiography that detailed her experiences and beliefs.

Death and Legacy

Mary Edwards Walker died on February 21, 1919, in Oswego, New York. She was buried in the Rural Cemetery in Oswego, wearing a black suit instead of a dress, in accordance with her wishes.

Walker's legacy as a pioneer in medicine and women's rights continues to be celebrated. She is remembered as a trailblazer who challenged societal norms and fought for equality and justice.

Related Pages

• American Civil War
• Medal of Honor
• Women's suffrage in the United States
• Dress reform (19th century)