America 250: Defying Destiny - Mary Edwards Walker

Dr. Mary Edwards Walker pushed the boundaries of medicine and courage, making past on the way.

Dr. Mary Edwards Walker (1832–1919) was the archetypal and lone pistillate to person the Medal of Honor. During the Civil War, she served arsenic a declaration surgeon with the U.S. Army, becoming 1 of the archetypal pistillate Army surgeons. In 1864, she was captured by Confederate forces and held for respective months astatine Castle Thunder situation successful Richmond. She was aboriginal released successful a captive speech and returned to her aesculapian duties. President Andrew Johnson awarded her the Medal of Honor successful 1865, though it was revoked successful 1917 and restored posthumously successful 1977. After the war, Walker became a starring advocator for women’s rights and testified earlier Congress successful enactment of women’s suffrage.