Mary edwards walker biography
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Dr. Mary Walker was an outspoken advokat for women's rights, and the first woman ever awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. In a period of confusion about the rightful recipients of the award, the medal was revoked two years before her death. Dr. Walker remained proud of her service and her contributions to the campaign for women's rights, and Congressional reappraisal of her achievements led to the restoration of the honor.
Mary Walker was born in Oswego, in upstate New York, in She was the fifth daughter of Alvah and Vesta Whitcomb Walker, and all children were encouraged to pursue their education. She and her sisters originally went into teaching after completing their studies, but Mary Walker enrolled in Syracuse Medical College at the end of her teenage years. She graduated with a doctor of medicin degree in
Dr. Walker went into private practice and married Albert Miller, also a physician, and the couple moved to Rome, New York. At the outbreak of the Civil War, she
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Mary Edwards Walker
American feminist and doctor (–)
Mary Edwards Walker | |
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Walker with her Medal of Honor, photographed by C. M. Bell | |
| Born | ()November 26, Oswego, New York, U.S. |
| Died | February 21, () (aged&#;86) Oswego, New York, U.S. |
| Resting place | Rural cemetery, Oswego |
| Education | Falley Seminary (–) Syracuse Medical College (–) Hygeio-Therapeutic College () |
| Occupation | Surgeon |
| Employer | United States Army |
| Known&#;for | Receiving the Medal of Honor during the American Civil War, was the first female U.S. Army surgeon, prohibitionist, abolitionist, first and only female Medal of Honor recipient |
| Spouse | Albert Miller &#; &#; (m.&#;; div.&#;)&#; |
| Awards | Medal of Honor |
Mary Edwards Walker (November 26, &#; February 21, ), commonly referred to as Dr. Mary Walker, was an American abolitionist, prohibitionist, prisoner of war in the American Civil War, and surgeon.[1] She is the only woman to receive t
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An American feminist, suffragist, suspected spy, prisoner of war and surgeon, Dr. Mary Edwards Walker remains the only women ever to receive the Medal of Honor, which she was awarded for her service during the Civil War.
She grew up in Oswego, New York, raised by her progressive parents along with her six brothers and sisters. "Free thinkers," they were raised to question everything. Helping on the farm, Mary often wore trousers and shirts because they were more comfortable. She was a non-comformist throughout her life.
Walker graduated with a doctor of medicine degree from Syracuse Medical College in Following her graduation, she married her fellow medical student, Albert Miller, and they set up a joint practice in Rome, New York. The practice failed, ostensibly because the public would not accept a female doctor. She refused to agree to "obey" Albert in her wedding vows, kept her last name, and wore a short skirt and trousers instead of a traditional wedding dress; they later di