In the face of controversy, the courageous Dr. Mary Edwards Walker held her head high as she wore her “American Reform Dress”, or the name given to such a provocative man’s outfit of the day, “bloomers”. Many things had been controversial in Dr. Walker’s life. I found that she was a very unique, eccentric, and independent woman, but often became an unwelcomed presence among others. She is most recognized for overcoming issues of the day in the 19th century such as: gender discrimination, suffrage, and the conflict over medical philosophies, tending to the wounded Union soldier’s as a surgeon, saving many from painful amputations during the Civil War, and receiving the Congressional Medal of Honor. Through these journey’s, Dr. Walker experienced many battles and moments of optimism. Each she fought for with tenacity, all of which she fought for with even more tenacity to have recognized.

Mary Walker was born in 1832, raised doing “man’s work” where she grew up in Oswego Town, New York, being the youngest of seven children. Mary was taught independence and understanding very early on through her parents and the books she read in her crowded farmhouse. “ In 1

840’s upstate New York, the stirrings of feminism developed alongside and in conjunction with abolitionism, agnosticism, and the temperance movement” (Mikaelian). During this time, women were not supported in their decision’s to get an education. Instead, they were expected to stay at home, be more than a devoted wife, give birth to babies and create a thriving home life. Things did not change much by the time Mary was 21 and enrolled in one of the only medical schools willing to admit women. She proudly wore her bloomers as she sought to do what many women wouldn’t dream of in the early 1850’s. Then in 1855, she married a man, of whom she did not take his name, which was very uncustomary for the times. She unsuccessfully sought a divorce in Iowa, but didn’t receive it due to strict marital laws until 1869. “To be deprived of a Divorce is like being shut up in a prison because someone attempted to kill you” (Walker). She then began joining others in dress reform conventions and refused to resign from an all-male debating society. She also began regular contributions to the reformist periodical, the Sibyl. Dr. Mary Walker was very much a woman that did what she wanted. She continued to fight for her dreams and the dreams of equality, regardless of stares and gossip.

Obviously there was still many problems with sexism, but there was also a wide conflict between the chosen style’s of medical practice such as allopathic medicine, a more aggressive style often using bloodletting, or Mary’s preferred method, eclectic medicine, the use of herbal medicines and a more nurturing approach to medicine which always kept the patient at the forefront. Many people back then dismissed eclectic medicine for many reasons. In my opinion, their main reason was because they admitted women into their colleges. I believe it was her personal choice to practice this type of medicine even though it was also the only choice at that time due to her sex. “There never was a woman fitted to practice medicine, surgery and obstetrics, no matter how long she may have studied. The duties of the physician are contrary and opposed to her moral, intellectual, and physical nature” (Leonard). Mary became a doctor in 1855, although the society she graduated into would not accept her based on her “abilities”. She managed to support herself as a doctor and her confidence started growing.

Dr. Walker died in 1919, a month before she could have voted and many years shy of seeing her military service fully restored and officially recognized in 1977. I believe her honor and persev

Some topics in this essay:
Dr Walker, Town York, Medal Honor, Mary Walker, Chattanooga Tennessee, Warrenton VA, Dr Walker’s, Edwards Walker, Patent Office, Richmond VA, dr walker, dr mary, civil war, edwards walker, dr mary edwards, mary edwards walker, mary edwards, congressional medal honor, mary walker, stay alive, dress reform, fought tenacity, medal honor,