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A photo of Mary Edwards Walker

Mary Edwards Walker 1832 - 1919

Mary Edwards Walker was born on November 26, 1832, and died at age 86 years old on February 21, 1919. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Mary Edwards Walker.
Mary Edwards Walker
November 26, 1832
February 21, 1919
Female
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Mary Edwards Walker's History: 1832 - 1919

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  • 11/26
    1832

    Birthday

    November 26, 1832
    Birthdate
    Unknown
    Birthplace
  • Personal Life & Family

    Doctor, Civil War, Women's Rights
  • 02/21
    1919

    Death

    February 21, 1919
    Death date
    Unknown
    Cause of death
    Unknown
    Death location
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Mary Edwards Walker, Civil War Doctor
Mary Edwards Walker, Civil War Doctor
First female US Army surgeon, Dr. Mary Edwards Walker.

She began as a nurse on the battlefield of the Civil War but became a (civilian) battlefield surgeon during the war. (She graduated as a medical doctor in 1855 but women weren't accepted for battlefield service - she changed that.) She was awarded the Medal of Honor for her service (the only woman to receive the Medal of Honor).

After the War, she was a supporter of such issues as health care, temperance, women's rights and dress reform for women. (Look at the photo!)
Date & Place: in USA
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Today we might wonder if this woman was transgender (in this case a man born into a woman's body). She sure looks like she would have preferred being born a man. I can understand preferring pants over dresses, but a top hat and men's clothes? She would have at least been considered a "cross dresser" by her peers. I wonder what her contemporaries thought.
My point of view is this, Sandra, for what it's worth: She was a woman at a time when women weren't taken seriously and didn't have the options we have today. In order to achieve what she did, she had to "de-sex" herself. Dressing like a man made others look at her for what she did, not how she dressed. Look at how difficult it is now for women to command respect, over 150 years later. She dressed as a man so that she would be seen for what she did, not for how she looked.
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Mary Walker's Family Tree & Friends

Mary Walker's Family Tree

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