Hero of the Week 3

Welcome back viewers!
This week's hero is....

Dr. Mary Edwards Walker

Mary Walker was both a physician and an activist for women's rights. She was born November 26, 1832 in Oswego New York. She decided to become a physician early in her life (despite the profession being considered a male field at the time). She attended Syracuse Medical College and graduated with a Doctor of Medicine degree in 1855 (she was the only woman in her class). Despite enduring a constant condescension from many of her neighbors and fellow doctors, Dr. Walker continued to practice medicine as she was determined to follow her dream and serve her country.

When the Civil War began in 1861, Dr. Walker immediately volunteered to be a surgeon for the Union Army. At first she was only allowed to serve as nurse, since the prospect of female surgeons in the military was unheard of at the time. However this changed when her skills as a surgeon became clear. Throughout the war, Dr Walker frequently rescued many of wounded soldiers from the battlefield and treated their wounds. She was present at the battles of Fredericksburg, Chickamauga, and Chattanooga.

In September of 1863, the Dr Walker was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland at the request of General George Henry Thomas. She became the very first female surgeon to be employed by the United States Army. She was even allowed to wear her own military uniform (that she designed herself). She also created an organization called the, Women's Relief Organization for the purpose of aiding the wives and mothers of wounded soldiers of the Union Army. In April 1864, she was taken prisoner by Confederate soldiers and spent 4 months in a prisoner of war camp until she was exchanged. By the time the Civil War ended, Mary Walker had saved hundreds of lives. She was commended by many soldiers for her service and received the Congressional Medal of Honor on November 11, 1865. 

Unfortunately her medal was rescinded by Congress in 1917, due to a reappraisal of the designated eligibility for the terms of receiving the medal. In 1977, President Jimmy Carter had Congress posthumously restore it to her. To date, Dr Mary Edwards Walker is the only female recipient of the Medal of Honor. From the end of the Civil War to her death on February 21, 1919, Walker became an activist for women's rights (mainly focusing on dress reform and women's right to vote). In 2000, she was inducted in the National Women's Hall of Fame.

Dr Mary Edwards Walker was a remarkable person who desired nothing more than serve her fellow countrymen regardless of the prejudice that she received from them. Her skill and determination both serve as a major inspiration for all people (women and men) who wish to serve their nation and try to make the world a better place. She is definitely one of the best people to have ever lived.

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/military/mary-edwards-walker-only-woman-receive-medal-honor-n111596

Walker, Dale L. (2005). Mary Edwards Walker: Above and Beyond

http://www.history.army.mil/news/2016/160200a_maryEdwardsWalker.html

https://cfmedicine.nlm.nih.gov/physicians/biography_325.html