Meet America's Trailblazing Doctor

INDEPENDENCE: Actress Kathie Barnes delivers a vibrant, strong presentation of this remarkable woman

Dr. Mary Edwards Walker---Surgeon in the Civil War, dress reformer, activist in social justice for all and to date

the only woman to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor. This is a must see!

“The Oswego County Historical Society was so proud to bring this production to Central New York, especially to the Town of Oswego where Dr. Mary Walker was born and died. This play about a remarkable woman, Mary Edwards Walker (1832-1919) who, in addition to being a hero of the Civil War, was a radical thinker and unfiltered speaker and writer for her time. Many called her unlikable because she wouldn’t compromise enough in her views to make her palatable to both men and women, but she persisted. She advocated, not only for a woman’s right to vote, which she said was inherent in the Constitution and did not need an amendment, she believed in a woman’s right to a divorce to free herself of a bad marriage and the freedom to wear pants, which were a healthier alternative to a corset and long skirt kicking up dust and barnyard filth. Kathie Barnes brought her to life in a powerful and passionate performance that thrilled audiences. School workshops after the performance had dramatic reactions from both boys and girls who had no idea that history treated women this way.

Today we need to admire her frankness that paved the way for our freedoms, and celebrate the grit and determination of a woman who was ahead of her time, but remember that full equality is not yet accomplished.

I recommend this powerful play to anyone who wants to celebrate the spirit that Dr. Mary Walker represents.”

“I helped to bring the play to Moorestown Friends School a few years back, when I was a member of their history faculty, and on the basis of that experience, I recommended it to the Education Committee at the retirement community where my parents lived. It was a success both times, both because Tina, the producer, is a consummate professional, and because its star, Kathy Barnes, is as devoted to her audiences as she is to the play.

The play allowed students to see just how hard women in the past worked to change those gender expectations. There is a lot of history packed into that short play!

When Kathy and Tina joined students afterwards, they were generous with both their time and their enthusiasm. They engaged my students in a really lively conversation on a wide range of topics, from the Civil War to how to produce a play. The students took an active part in the discussion and came away feeling they had been part of something quite special.”

“My husband Brian and I went to see the play, Independence The True Story of Dr. Mary Walker, which is a cleverly written monodrama from the unique perspective of the legendary historical figure, Dr. Mary Walker. Living so close to her home town and having heard of her so often, I was confident that I had a fairly good idea of who she was. That is, until I watched the play! I had no idea how profound and impactful Dr. Mary Walker’s life story actually was until Kathie Barnes brought her to life for us on that stage. It was then that I learned how one petite and outspoken woman can change the trajectory of expectations for not only the women of our city, but ultimately, our entire country. Kathie Barnes seamlessly embodies the complex and mighty force of Dr. Mary Walker, in character and even stature, with uncanny grace and convincing assurance. Kathie holds your rapt attention as she draws you into the mind of Dr. Mary Walker, who forged her way through society and carved out a new path for all of those who were bold enough to follow. I highly recommend watching this play if you want to be inspired as well as educated and thoroughly entertained. I could watch it again and again!”

"For far too long, the story of Dr. Mary Walker has not been told. A heroic surgeon and dress reformer, Dr. Mary Walker fought adamantly for her beliefs, which is something we can all aspire to today."

"My wife and I both enjoyed the play and feel that we learned some interesting history. We’d not heard of Dr Walker before, and our experience will encourage us to discover other examples of women pioneering in traditionally male roles. There are indeed many more such stories to be told."

"This play was inspiring to me in that it brought alive the humanity of an historical figure. Dr. Walker had a woman's heart, albeit broken by her cheating husband, and a heroine's grit unspoiled by politics or social pressure to conform. The fact that she thumbed her nose at the military for wanting to rescind her medal of honor was further proof of her strong sense of conviction. I think students of history should see this play just to learn about an ignored figure of the War Between the States."

"I don't see plays very often, and I wasn't sure what to expect from a one-person performance. But I was impressed with how much energy and emotion Kathie Barnes delivered, and the entire play was quite entertaining beginning to end. INDEPENDENCE not only tells the story of Dr. Mary Walker, but gives us a rarely-seen glimpse of American society in the Civil War era from the point of view of a woman, and illustrates how Dr. Walker's career, very impressive by any standards, is especially unique and noteworthy given the contemporary views of women in medicine and in war. I would absolutely recommend INDEPENDENCE to anyone looking for an informative (and funny!) show."

"Upon first hearing that INDEPENDENCE, The True Story of Dr. Mary Walker would be a one-woman show, I was very interested to see how it would play out. I quickly realized why only one actress was cast for this production. Throughout her life, Dr. Mary Walker was an extremely independent and strong woman who never relied on anyone but herself for her success. Why would there need to be another person to tell her story besides one incredible woman? Hearing the amazing story of Dr. Walker’s life and all of the hardships that she endured was unbelievably inspiring. I was shocked that I had never heard of the only woman to ever receive the Medal of Honor, but I was grateful for the play bringing me knowledge of her. Equally informative and entertaining, Kathie Barnes did an incredible job of bringing Lloyd Schwartz’s words to life. Together, they provided the recognition that Dr. Walker deserves through this wonderful tribute to her. I definitely think that this is a production that all people should see to help spread the word of this astounding woman, as well hopefully inspire more untold stories of the history of women to be told."

"I hadn't heard of Dr. Mary Walker prior to this show! And I am stunned that she is not in history books. I am not usually a fan of history or of one person show, but this show was so well done and Kathie Barnes was such an Amazing Actress in the role that I was thoroughly engaged. I recommend that many people, men and women, see this amazing show!"

"INDEPENDENCE tells the inspiring story of Dr. Mary Walker that sets an example of what we can achieve, if we follow our passion and beliefs. Ahead of her time, she stood up for the rights of woman and equality in the work place, connecting to many issues that we still face in the modern working world. The one-woman play portrays the story in a fascinating and very personal way that will make me remember Dr. Mary Walker and her remarkable life."

“Middle school can be one of the most challenging times in a young person’s life, especially for girls, who face a constant barrage of decisions and societal expectations. With so many role models to choose from, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. That’s why having Kathie Barnes perform Independence: The True Story of Dr. Mary Walker at Oswego Middle School was such a powerful experience for our students.

For many of our 7th and 8th graders, it was an eye-opening moment. To learn about Dr. Mary Walker, an extraordinary figure who once lived right here in Oswego, gave them a valuable perspective on what it means to break through societal barriers. Dr. Walker’s story showed them how one person’s refusal to conform to gender norms—both in her choice of clothing and her pursuit of a medical career—can have a lasting impact.

The young women in the audience, in particular, saw firsthand the kind of tenacity Dr. Walker demonstrated in becoming a surgeon for the U.S. military, despite the many obstacles she faced. Her determination to practice medicine on her own terms, and her insistence on being true to herself, gave our students a powerful reminder that greatness can emerge from unexpected places—right here in Oswego.”