Question
Here is the question : WHICH CIVIL WAR SURGEON IS THE ONLY WOMAN TO RECEIVE THE MEDAL OF HONOR?
Option
Here is the option for the question :
- Harriet Beecher Stowe
- Sarah Rosetta Wakeman
- Mary Edwards Walker
- Belle Boyd
The Answer:
And, the answer for the the question is :
Explanation:
Mary Walker, a nurse who tended to Civil War casualties, is the only woman to have been awarded the Medal of Honor. In 1864, Walker was captured by Confederate forces but eventually escaped captivity. She was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Andrew Johnson in 1865. In 1917, it was repealed, but in 1977, it was restored.
Mary Edwards Walker was a remarkable woman who defied gender norms and made significant contributions to the medical field during the American Civil War. She is also the only woman to receive the Medal of Honor for her service as a surgeon in the Union Army.
Born in 1832 in Oswego, New York, Walker was raised in a family that believed in equal rights for women. She attended Syracuse Medical College, graduating with honors in 1855 and becoming one of the first female doctors in the United States.
When the Civil War broke out in 1861, Walker volunteered to serve as a surgeon in the Union Army. She was initially denied a commission as an officer because of her gender but was eventually appointed as a civilian surgeon. Walker served in several battles, including the First Battle of Bull Run and the Battle of Fredericksburg, and was known for her willingness to work under fire and her dedication to her patients.
In 1863, Walker was captured by Confederate forces while treating Union soldiers near the front lines. She was held as a prisoner of war for several months before being released in a prisoner exchange.
After the war, Walker continued to advocate for women’s rights and worked to improve public health. She wrote several books on health and hygiene and was a vocal supporter of dress reform, arguing that women’s clothing was restrictive and unhealthy.
In 1865, Walker was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Andrew Johnson for her service as a surgeon during the Civil War. She remains the onlywoman to receive the award, although there have been efforts to have it awarded to other women who served in similar capacities.
Walker’s Medal of Honor was later rescinded in 1917, along with those of several other recipients, as part of a review of the award criteria. However, she refused to return the medal and wore it proudly until her death in 1919.
Mary Edwards Walker is remembered as a pioneer for women in medicine and a trailblazer for women’s rights. She defied social norms and gender stereotypes to serve her country and make significant contributions to the field of medicine. Her legacy continues to inspire women today to pursue their passions and make a difference in the world.