Mary Edwards Walker M.D.1832-1919

Mary Edwards Walker M.D.1832-1919

By: Sarah A MohrBy: Sarah A Mohr

Childhood• Mary Edwards Walker was born

November 26, 1832 in Oswego, NY.

• Mary grew up with 5 other sisters, her being the youngest, and a brother.

• Her father believed in equality for women.

• As Mary grew up she was around her dad who was a doctor, and would assist him.

College and Marital LifeCollege and Marital Life•In 1853 Mary Walker

graduated from Syracuse Medical

College.•1856 she was married

to Albert Miller, and started her first clinic.

•1859 Mary was divorced to Albert Miller.

•In 1853 Mary Walker graduated from

Syracuse Medical College.

•1856 she was married to Albert Miller, and

started her first clinic.•1859 Mary was

divorced to Albert Miller.

American Medical Hero• 1861 Mary decided that she wanted to be a

surgeon in the Civil War.

• Her commission was denied.

• 1863 she was given assistant surgeon.

• 1864 Mary Edwards Walker crossed the Union border, and was captured by Confederate troops.

• Four months later she was released in a prisoner trade.

• Walker spent the rest of the war volunteering at a women’s prison and an orphan asylum.

• November 11, 1865 Mary Edwards Walker was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.

Congressional Medal of HOnor

Congressional Medal of HOnor

•This is the highest military decoration

awarded by the United Stated government.

•Was awarded to her by President Andrew Johnson.•Mary is the only woman to ever receive this award.

•This is the highest military decoration

awarded by the United Stated government.

•Was awarded to her by President Andrew Johnson.•Mary is the only woman to ever receive this award.

“faithfully served as contract surgeon in the service of the United States, and [devoting] herself with much patriotic zeal to the sick and wounded soldiers, both in the field and hospitals, to the detriment of her own health.” -Andrew Johnson

“faithfully served as contract surgeon in the service of the United States, and [devoting] herself with much patriotic zeal to the sick and wounded soldiers, both in the field and hospitals, to the detriment of her own health.” -Andrew Johnson