The Only Woman To Get The Medal Of Honor Crossed Enemy Lines In An Act Of Incredible Courage

Who was the only woman to be awarded the Medal of Honor? The story of Mary Edwards Walker, the first woman to get the Medal of Honor, is filled with hardships and wins over adversities. Life threw many challenges at her just because she was a girl and that too in an era when girls were not allowed to speak their mind. She was born in November 1832, in Oswego, New York. She was the youngest among her seven siblings, one of whom was a boy. Mary Walker had a mind of her own and never felt daunted to speak against the wrongdoings because of her parents, especially her mother. Even at that era, her mother brought up her seven children without any discrimination. She made her children share the household work and farm work irrespective of their gender. Her parents founded a school for the girl children so that they can also get equal opportunity for acquiring knowledge. Upon finishing her education, she became a teacher, but her calling was different. She always wanted to be in the medical profession. Therefore, she continued her teaching profession, so that she can fund her medical education. Finally, she enrolled herself in one of the medical schools and graduated with honors. There she met with her life partner and got married. Together they set up a clinic; but were unfortunately not successful because people were apprehensive towards female doctors at that point in time. In her lifetime, Mary had bent many rules. She never wore the conventional corset that was supposed to be the dress of women during that period. Even during her marriage, she refused to say ‘obey’, and after marriage, she maintained her maiden surname. In 1861, when the Civil War broke out, she extended her service as a surgeon, but due to her gender, she was not awarded the post she was looking for. She was asked to serve as a nurse, but she was not ready to downgrade her post, so she offered to work without any payment. She has served from 1862 to 1863 in different battles. While serving the soldiers, she spoke against the amputation of the soldiers because she felt that it was unethical and inhumanly. As a civilian surgeon, at times, she was required to cross the border and there she doubled as a spy too. In April 1864, she was captured by the Confederate troops and was packed to war camp, Castle Thunder. Four months later, she was released; and finally, she was granted the position of an army surgeon. On November 1865, she was awarded the Medal of Honor. This is how Mary Walker made a woman’s mark in what was a man’s world.