Upstate New York Woman Still Only Female Medal of Honor Recipient

In all of U.S. history, there has only been one woman to receive the Medal of Honor and that’s Mary Edwards Walker from Upstate New York.

Mary was a surgeon, abolitionist, women’s rights advocate, and spy. During the Civil War, she became the first female U.S. Army surgeon, breaking barriers and blazing a path that still inspires today.

Early Life, Family Influence, and Medical Education

Mary was born on November 26, 1832, in the Town of Oswego. Her parents, Alvah and Vesta Walker, were abolitionists who encouraged their daughters to think freely. Unlike most girls at the time, Mary was allowed to wear “bloomer” pants instead of the traditional skirts and corsets.

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Education was a big deal for the family and Mary and her sisters attended the free school their parents started and later went to Falley Seminary. After teaching for a bit, Mary saved up to attend Syracuse Medical College, graduating in 1855 as the second woman from that school after Elizabeth Blackwell.

Marriage, Early Setbacks, and Renewed Dedication to Medicine

Mary married fellow medical student Albert Miller soon after graduating, and they opened a practice together. But because the public wasn’t ready to accept a female doctor, the practice failed, and the couple later divorced. Undeterred, Mary threw herself into her true calling, medicine.

Breaking Barriers as the First Female U.S. Army Surgeon

When the Civil War began, Mary tried to serve officially but was denied because she was a woman. She worked as an unpaid volunteer surgeon and nurse before finally being accepted as the first female U.S. Army surgeon in 1863. She cared for wounded soldiers near the front lines and even crossed battle lines to help civilians.

READ MORE: The Small Upstate New York Town That Played a Huge Role in Women’s Rights

In 1864, Confederate troops captured Mary as a spy, and she spent four months in the notorious Castle Thunder prison, still refusing to wear women’s clothing, which she found uncomfortable and impractical. Mary was released in a prisoner exchange and continued her service until the war ended.

Champion of Fashion Reform and Women’s Rights

Mary was famous for her “fashion reform.” She believed women should be free from restrictive clothing, choosing to wear pants and men’s style jackets and top hats throughout her life.

Mary was arrested multiple times for her clothing choices but famously said, “I don’t wear men’s clothes, I wear my own clothes.” She also fought for women’s voting rights and testified before Congress on suffrage issues. Later in life, she opened her home to others who were ostracized for not conforming to traditional dress.

Medal of Honor Awarded, Revoked, and Restored

After the war, Mary was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Andrew Johnson, a unique honor for a woman at the time. However, in 1916, the government revoked her medal during a review of eligibility. Finally, in 1977, President Jimmy Carter restored her Medal of Honor, rightfully recognizing her place in history.

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Honoring a Lasting Legacy

Mary Edwards Walker’s legacy lives on. In 2012, her hometown of Oswego unveiled a 900-pound bronze statue honoring her groundbreaking life. She is also featured in the American Women Quarters Program, a fitting tribute to a woman who defied convention, broke barriers, and stood tall as a symbol of courage and equality.