G2G: “DR. MARY WALKER IS DEAD Was Awarded Medal From Congress and Given Right to Wear Male Attire”

Question

Hi Wikitreers,

A story I discovered and wanted to share…

“DR. MARY WALKER IS DEAD Was Awarded Medal From Congress and Given Right to Wear Male Attire--Was 87 Years Old. Watertown, N. Y., Feb. 24.--Dr. Mary E. Walker, aged 87 years, died at her home on Bunker hill, near Oswego, after a long illness. She was a surgeon in the Civil war, and a congressional medal of honor was awarded her. She gained considerable fame by being the only voman allowed to appear in male attire by an act of congress, Dr. Walker led a picturesque career. Following the Civil war her active life was spent chiefly in fighting for feminine dress reform and womar's right to political suffrage, in which movement she was a pioneer.. 

see Wauwatosa News, February 28, 1919, Page 1.

1.) Does Dr. Mary Walker have a Wikitree profile?

2.) Is she a notable? See Wikipedia

3.) Does she have a FindAGrave memorial? Found see link Here

4.) Any further genealogy info about this very intriguing figure in U.S. Civil War History? A surgeon? Female? Awarded a medal from Congress?

Answer 1

Here is her profile   

[[Walker-41]]

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Walker-41

https://www.army.mil/article/183800/meet_dr_mary_walker_the_only_female_medal_of_honor_recipient

https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/mary-edwards-walker

Comments

Thank you Gary,

I believe her profile is one of the best on Wikitree for the U.S. Civil War Project

I wonder if the project page should have an area or section for certain notables? Just a suggestion…

She is a ground breaker for a lot of the “norms” in her time during the 19th century and the U.S. Civil War!

Did a connection check it appears she is my fifth cousins five times removed

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“Out of the nearly 3,500 Medal of Honor recipients, only one was a woman -- just one -- and her medal was actually rescinded just before she died.”

How sad is that before she passed to…

Edit: “Sixty years after that, in 1977, President Jimmy Carter restored the honor in her name, thanks to efforts made by her family.”

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Everyone should watch this YouTube a feature by “CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR SOCIETY” 

See also: https://www.cmohs.org/recipients/mary-e-walker

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She was in 1863 assigned to the 52nd Regiment, Ohio Infantry, United States Civil War and paid $80 month 

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She was a P.O.W. At Castle Thunder (prison) Prison in Richmond, Virginia, US

I don’t see this Prisoner of War camp on Wikitree?

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She was removed from the list when the parameters were changed to include only active fighting veterans were included.   Family and others fought for her reinclusion.
There is an article in the last Grange publication.  She even wore a mans suit for her wedding.  Her marriage did not survive.  Grange article says she even wore trousers, not bloomers, under her operating outfits.

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Hi Beulah,

That is correct! It took her 10 years to finalize divorce I belive from the research presented as is mentioned his “infidelity” is her reasoning…we’ve come a long ways since…

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She graduated from a Syracuse medical school, the only one that would admit women at that time.  At the time of her divorce that was the only reason anyone could get a divorce in New York State.  I understand there were a lot of "found" situations to use this
ruling that were a put up job.

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After reading the comments, I was curious about my husband's and my connection to Dr Walker since my husband is a Walker.  It turns out we are both 17 degrees removed from her.  I suppose the more interesting thing is that I'm her 12th cousin 3 times removed, but my husband has no known relationship to her at all.  Life is strange.

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Although not directly genealogically related, I am a proud Dr. Mary E Walker Award recipient.

Her legacy continues and her story lives on through the Army and its spouses.  She had a storied life and was a pioneer with strength, courage, wisdom, intellect, and sheer tenacity. Her profile, at a quick glance, looks well curated.

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She was ahead of her time…

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Per Wikipedia “The State University of New York Upstate Medical University (SUNY Upstate) is a public medical school in Syracuse, New York. Founded in 1834, Upstate is the 15th oldest medical school in the United States and is the only medical school in Central New York. The university is part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system.”

The category is not yet created for this college on Wikitree…the historical value is interesting 

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Andrew, there is a page for Castle Thunder:

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Space:Castle_Thunder

It could use some work, and there are only 3 profiles in the category for prisoners there.  I'll add the category to Dr. Walker's profile, and then there will be a whole 4!

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Thank you Nan…

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Hi Nan,

The civil war project does a lot of fun challenges it is possible we might see a Camp Castle Thunder challenge?

I think currently the challenge is US Civil War 2024 August Marietta National Cemetery Challenge

Answer 2

This is an awesome find.  Her profile is very well done.  I'm going to present this to my students as a possible topic for their National History Day project this year.  Thank you for sharing Andrew you always find the coolest history!

Comments

Hi David,

I think you would have a great topic with this notable groundbreaker who was really ahead of her time 

Thank you

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The photos of her memorial are from 2001

Maybe if someone is closer could get some updated photos and post that would be nice. It would be an honor to visit her place of rest and pay respects and lay flowers…

Location is: Rural Cemetery Also known as Town of Oswego Rural Cemetery, Union Village Rural Cemetery, Oswego, Oswego County, New York, USA

Edit: memorial is maintained by FindAGrave 

Answer 3

I am 17 degrees from her and she is

Your 7th cousin five times removed

• Your 11th great-grandfather, William Browne (abt.1570-abt.1605), is her 6th great-grandfather.
• Your 16th great-grandfather, Thomas Stanley
•  KG (abt.1405-1459), is her 13th great-grandfather.

What a history on her.

Comments

I believe she was one of only 2 female doctors in the USA when she graduated…she also I believe I read that she was appalled at the amputations and infections and advocated that much of it was unnecessary…a true visionary

I’m glad she held onto her medal to the grave! Good for her!