In the annals of United States history, a remarkable figure stands alone: Doctor Mary Edwards Walker, the only woman ever to be awarded the Medal of Honor. More than just a recipient of this prestigious award, Doctor Mary Walker was a pioneering surgeon, a staunch advocate for women’s rights, a fervent abolitionist, and even a Union spy during the tumultuous Civil War. Her life and legacy continue to resonate today, celebrated through monuments like the 900-pound bronze statue in her hometown unveiled in 2012 and her prominent feature in the American Women Quarters Program. Doctor Mary Walker’s contributions cemented her place as a true American hero.
Born on November 26, 1832, in the Town of Oswego, New York, Doctor Mary Walker was the fifth daughter of Alvah and Vesta Whitcomb Walker, both ardent abolitionists. Her upbringing was far from conventional for the time. Her parents instilled in her a spirit of independent thought and action, even allowing her to wear practical “bloomer” pants instead of the restrictive skirts and corsets typically mandated for women. This emphasis on freedom extended to education. Alvah and Vesta Walker, recognizing the importance of equal learning opportunities, founded the first free school in Oswego, ensuring their daughters received the same level of education as their son. Beyond academics, all Walker children participated in the manual labor of farm life, fostering a sense of resilience and self-sufficiency in young Mary. After completing her initial education at her parents’ school, Doctor Mary Walker, alongside two of her older sisters, furthered her studies at Falley Seminary in Fulton, New York. Upon graduation, she began her career as a teacher in Minetto, New York. However, teaching was a stepping stone towards her true ambition: medicine. Driven by a desire to become a doctor, Doctor Mary Walker worked diligently, saving enough money to pursue her medical education. She enrolled at Syracuse Medical College, achieving her medical degree in 1855. This milestone made Doctor Mary Walker only the second woman to graduate from the institution, following in the footsteps of Elizabeth Blackwell and further solidifying her place as a pioneer in medicine.
Shortly after earning her medical degree, Doctor Mary Walker married Albert Miller, a fellow medical school student, on November 16, 1855. United by their profession, they embarked on a joint medical practice in Rome, New York. Unfortunately, their venture faced significant headwinds. Public prejudice against female doctors was deeply entrenched, and the practice struggled to gain acceptance. Personal differences further strained their relationship, leading to their eventual divorce. Despite this setback, Doctor Mary Walker’s commitment to medicine remained unwavering.
As the Civil War erupted in 1861, Doctor Mary Walker felt a strong calling to contribute to the Union cause. She traveled to Washington D.C., eager to offer her medical expertise. However, she encountered immediate resistance. Due to the prevailing sexism of the era, she was denied a position as a commissioned medical officer solely because she was a woman. Undeterred, Doctor Mary Walker volunteered her services as an unpaid surgeon at the U.S. Patent Office Hospital in Washington. At this time, the U.S. Army had no precedent for female surgeons, and Doctor Walker was relegated to the role of a nurse in makeshift temporary hospitals around the capital. Her skills and dedication could not be ignored for long. In 1862, Doctor Mary Walker relocated to Virginia, placing herself closer to the heart of the conflict. She began treating wounded soldiers near the front lines of major battles such as Fredericksburg and Chattanooga, often working in perilous conditions. Finally, in 1863, after persistent advocacy and demonstrable competence, her request to serve as a surgeon was granted. Doctor Mary Walker made history, becoming the first female U.S. Army surgeon, appointed as a “Contract Acting Assistant Surgeon (civilian)” with the Army of the Cumberland.
Throughout her service as a Civil War surgeon, Doctor Mary Walker displayed extraordinary courage and compassion. She frequently crossed battle lines, risking her own safety to provide medical aid to both Union and Confederate soldiers, as well as civilians caught in the crossfire. In April 1864, while tending to the wounded, Doctor Mary Walker’s bravery led to her capture by Confederate troops. Accused of being a spy, she was imprisoned for four long months in the infamous Castle Thunder prison near Richmond, the Confederate capital. Even in captivity, Doctor Mary Walker remained defiant and true to her principles. When provided with women’s clothing, she refused to wear it. Throughout her adult life, she had adopted men’s clothing as her standard attire, finding it more comfortable, practical, and hygienic for her demanding profession. This conviction extended back to her wedding day, where she famously wore pants under her skirt. Doctor Walker was released from Castle Thunder in August 1864 as part of a prisoner exchange involving medical personnel. Upon her release in September 1864, she was further recognized for her skills and valor with a contract as assistant surgeon of the Ohio 52nd Infantry. For the remainder of the Civil War, Doctor Mary Walker continued her dedicated service at the Louisville Women’s Prison Hospital and at an orphan asylum in Clarksville, Tennessee, extending her care to a wide range of those affected by the war.
Following the Civil War’s end in 1865, Doctor Mary Walker’s exceptional service and unwavering dedication were formally recognized. President Andrew Johnson awarded her the Medal of Honor for Meritorious Service, acknowledging her extraordinary contributions during the war. Despite this high honor, Doctor Walker never received a military pension because she had technically served as a civilian contract surgeon and had not been formally commissioned into the army. In 1871, Doctor Walker published Hit: Essays on Women’s Rights, a book that was partly autobiographical and passionately advocated for women’s equality.
Doctor Mary Walker’s activism extended far beyond her wartime service. She became a prominent and outspoken champion for women’s rights, particularly dress reform. Her own sartorial choices, consistently favoring pants and men’s attire, made her a visible symbol of her beliefs. Her clothing choices often drew public attention and criticism. In 1870, she was arrested in New Orleans simply for dressing in men’s clothing. This was not an isolated incident; Doctor Walker faced multiple arrests throughout her life for wearing what was deemed “men’s clothes,” including her signature top hat. Undeterred by societal disapproval, she famously declared, “I don’t wear men’s clothes, I wear my own clothes,” firmly asserting her right to self-expression and challenging gender norms. Beyond dress reform, Doctor Mary Walker was a passionate advocate for women’s suffrage. In 1871, she attempted to register to vote, arguing that the US Constitution already implicitly granted women this right. Despite being denied, she remained steadfast in her belief. She testified before the US House of Representatives in 1912 and 1914, passionately arguing in favor of women’s right to vote. However, as the mainstream suffrage movement shifted towards advocating for a federal amendment, Doctor Walker’s more radical stances and unconventional attire led to increasing marginalization within the movement. In her later years, Doctor Mary Walker extended her support to others facing harassment or arrest for challenging conventional dress codes, opening her home as a sanctuary for those who defied societal expectations.
In a controversial decision in 1916, the government retroactively reviewed Medal of Honor awards, and Doctor Mary Walker, along with many others, had her medal revoked. The rationale was that the medal was intended for battlefield heroism, and her service, while meritorious, did not strictly meet the revised criteria. However, this revocation did not diminish Doctor Mary Walker’s pride or her commitment to her principles. She continued to wear her Medal of Honor every day until her death in 1919, viewing it as a rightful recognition of her life’s work. Doctor Mary Edwards Walker died of illness on February 21, 1919, at the age of eighty-six. In a final act of defiance and self-determination, she was buried in a black suit, further challenging societal norms even in death. Decades later, in 1977, President Jimmy Carter posthumously restored the Medal of Honor to Doctor Mary Walker, finally and officially reinstating the honor she had so rightfully earned and proudly worn, solidifying her legacy as a true American hero and a symbol of courage and perseverance in the face of adversity.
