Image: Mary E. Walker

Description: Dr. Mary Walker was a pathbreaking physician and the second American woman to earn a medical degree. She volunteered for the Union army during the Civil War and served as an unpaid surgeon in 1861. Three years later, she received compensation as a field surgeon in an Ohio Regiment for the U.S. Army. In 1865, Walker was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor and remains the only American woman to receive the military decoration. While recognized for her service, Walker’s life was under constant scrutiny and persecution by law enforcement and the public for her rejection of restrictive feminine attire. As a prominent advocate for women’s “reform dress,” she donned a shortened dress and “bloomer” pants for this photograph, along with her Medal of Honor. She noted that wearing trousers on the battlefield was a “practical” decision that allowed her to be nimble and successful as a physician.
Usage Terms: Public domain