Dr. Mary Edwards Walker
Dr. Mary Edwards Walker stands as an unparalleled figure in American history. She was not only the first woman surgeon in the United States and one of the first female doctors, but also the only woman ever to be awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, a testament to her extraordinary courage and dedication.
Her Extraordinary Life
Early Life and Education
Born on November 26, 1832, in Oswego, New York, Mary was raised by Alvah and Vesta Whitcomb Walker, staunch abolitionists who championed equal rights and education for all. Their family farm served as a crucial stop on the Underground Railroad, instilling in Mary a profound sense of justice.
Formative Years in Oswego
She had four older sisters—Vesta, Aurora, Luna, and Cynthia—and a younger brother, Alvah Jr. Educated in a schoolhouse on their own land, Mary, and two of her sisters later advanced their studies at the Falley Seminary in Fulton, New York.
Breaking Barriers in Medicine
From a young age, Mary displayed a keen intellect and an unyielding passion for medicine, fueled by her father's medical texts. Determined to pursue her calling, she taught school in Minetto, NY, to finance her medical education at Syracuse Medical College. This institution was one of the rare few that accepted women at the time. As the sole woman in her class, Mary defied expectations, earning her medical degree in June 1855.
A Revolutionary Style: Dress Reform
Mary's progressive views extended to personal freedom, particularly regarding women's attire. Aligning with her father's belief that contemporary women's fashions were restrictive and unhealthy, Mary embraced the Reformed Style. This practical choice involved wearing a frock coat over trousers, a decision she found both liberating and hygienic, contrasting sharply with the cumbersome, dirt-gathering long dresses of the era. On the battlefield, she adapted her uniform to suit the demands of her work, maintaining her long hair to assert her female identity.
Marriage and Independence
In 1856, Mary married fellow medical student Albert Miller. Their unconventional ceremony saw Mary don her Reformed Style clothing, omit “obey” from her vows, and retain her maiden name. Their joint medical practice in Rome, New York, struggled to gain public acceptance of a female doctor. Mary's marriage also faltered amidst Albert's extramarital affairs. In an era when divorce was rare for women, Mary bravely sought and obtained one. During this period, she became a prolific essayist for Sybil magazine, advocating fiercely for women's rights and challenging the unjust treatment of women.
Service in the Civil War
Following the Battle of Bull Run in July 1861, Mary eagerly sought to join the Union Army as a medical officer. Her application was rejected due to her gender. Undeterred, she volunteered as a surgeon at the US Patent Office hospital. Despite a recommendation for her commission from her superior, Dr. J.N. Green, the idea was dismissed.
Breakthrough and Battlefield Contributions
After two and a half years of relentless effort, Mary was finally appointed assistant civilian surgeon in the winter of 1864, making her the first female surgeon in the United States Army. She was assigned to the 52nd Ohio Infantry, operating near the Union front lines after the Battle of Chickamauga. Dr. Walker significantly improved survival rates by advising stretcher bearers to position wounded soldiers with their heads above their feet when transporting them downhill. She also courageously counseled soldiers to refuse unnecessary amputations, a procedure with a high mortality rate.
Imprisonment and Unyielding Advocacy
Driven by her unwavering commitment to healing, Dr. Walker bravely crossed enemy lines to aid both Confederate and Union soldiers and civilians. On April 10, 1864, while on an expedition into Confederate territory, she was captured and imprisoned in the notorious Castle Thunder in Richmond, Virginia. Enduring brutal conditions that impaired her eyesight, Mary fearlessly protested the inadequate rations, leading to the addition of wheat bread and cabbage for prisoners. A Confederate officer famously remarked that “that lady doctor has enough tongue for a regiment of men.” Four months later, she was exchanged for a Major. This marks the first time a woman had been exchanged for an officer, a detail she proudly noted signified her worth.
A Fight Won
After recovering, Mary returned to her role as an acting assistant surgeon. Despite her proven valor and skill, she again faced a battle for commission due to her gender. In October 1864, she was finally recommissioned, serving until her discharge on June 15, 1865, at the war's end.
The Nation's Highest Honor
On November 11, 1865, upon the recommendation of Major General William Tecumseh Sherman and Major General George Thomas, President Andrew Johnson presented Dr. Mary Edwards Walker with the Congressional Medal of Honor for Meritorious Service. This monumental recognition cemented her place in American history.
Post-War Activism
Following the war, Dr. Mary Edwards Walker became a prominent writer and lecturer, traveling across the United States and Europe. She passionately advocated for women's rights, dress reform, and public health issues. In 1860, she was elected Vice President of the National Dress Reform Association. Her decision to fully adopt men's clothing, complete with top hat, bow tie, pants, and shoes, led to multiple arrests for 'impersonating a man.'
Suffrage and Unwavering Conviction
In Spring 1869, Mary spoke at a suffrage meeting in Ohio along with Susan B. Anthony and Lucy Stone, then traveled to Washington to preside over a dress reform convention. She tirelessly campaigned for women's equality in all aspects of life, including divorce law reform. She authored two books, Hit and Unmasked or the Science of Immorality, detailing her perspectives on female equality.
A Bold Interpretation
Mary diverged from other women's movement pioneers concerning a constitutional amendment for women's suffrage. She firmly believed the Constitution's 'We, the People' already included women, deeming men voting on women's rights an 'unconstitutional usurpation of power.' Her attempts to vote as a “citizen” resulted in multiple arrests and denials.
The Fight for Her Medal
In 1917, when the criteria for the Medal of Honor were revised to include only those engaged in 'actual combat with an enemy,' Dr. Walker's medal, along with over 900 others, was revoked. She adamantly refused to return it, continuing to wear it daily. A relative poignantly told The New York Times, 'Dr. Mary lost the medal simply because she was a hundred years ahead of her time and no one could stomach it.'
On June 10, 1977, the Army Board of Corrections officially restored her Medal of Honor, citing her 'distinguished gallantry, self-sacrifice, patriotism, dedication, and unflinching loyalty to her country.'
A Lasting Legacy: Passing and Commemorations
Dr. Mary Edwards Walker passed away on February 21, 1919, in her beloved Oswego Town. Dr. Bertha Van Hoosen, founder of the American Medical Women's Association, eloquently remarked upon Mary's death: 'Dr. Mary’s life should stand out to remind us that when people do not think as we do, do not dress as we do, and do not live as we do, that they are more than likely to be half a century ahead of their time, and that we should have for them not ridicule but reverence.'
Stamp, Hall of Fame & Quarter
In 1982, the USPS issued a 20-cent stamp in Dr. Walker’s honor, commemorating the 150th anniversary of her birth. In 2000, Mary Edwards Walker was inducted into the Women's Hall of Fame at Seneca Falls, New York, a fitting tribute to her enduring impact. On June 8, 2924, the US Mint honored Dr. Walker by releasing a Quarter bearing her image. INDEPENDENCE was honored to be included in the Quarter Dedication Ceremony.
Special Thanks and Acknowledgments
Special thanks to George R. DeMass, Town Historian (Town of Oswego, NY), for his magnificent contribution, and Eve Zausner, Photographer, for her outstanding work.
Witness History Unfold
Don't miss the chance to experience this extraordinary story live. 'Independence' brings Dr. Mary Walker's incredible journey, struggles, and triumphs to vivid life on stage. Book a performance for your venue, university, or community, and let her indomitable spirit inspire your audience.