Women’s History Month
“Well-behaved women seldom make history.”
Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
As we celebrate Women’s History Month, these words resonate powerfully. They invite us to explore the stories of four women who defied social norms and left a lasting impression on the pages of military history.
Mary Edwards Walker (1832-1919). Mary Edwards Walker was a pioneering figure in the field of medicine and military service. She defied social norms by becoming the first female contract surgeon in the U.S. Army during the Civil War. In 1864, she was captured by Confederate troops as a spy and held as a prisoner of war at the Castle Thunder prison for four months. After her release, she continued providing medical care on the frontline. In 1865, she earned the Medal of Honor, making her the only woman in history to receive this award.
Elsie Ott (1913–2006). Elsie Ott had never before flown in a plane, but given only a day’s notice, she soared through the skies to aid in the first ever intercontinental air evacuation in September, 1943. Armed with only a first aid kit, blankets, and basic necessities, Elsie nursed five wounded soldiers in a weeklong trip from India to Washington, D.C. During that groundbreaking flight, Ott documented her experiences and gathered insights to better prepare for future air evacuations. Alongside 500 other nurses in World War II, Ott helped evacuate almost 1.2 million wounded soldiers, losing only 46 patients in the process. Her heroism for these acts made her the first woman to receive the United States Air Medal.
Deborah Sampson (1760-1827). Deborah Sampson disguised herself as a man, not once, but twice, to serve in the Continental Army during the American Revolution under the name, “Robert Shurtleff”. She even served in the Light Infantry Company, an elite group that were specially chosen for their height and strength. Deborah’s service included scouting neutral territory to assess the British presence in Manhattan, helping to lead a troop of infantry on an expedition that ended with a hand-to-hand confrontation, and leading a raid on a Tory home that resulted in the capture of 15 men.
Throughout her time of service, Deborah went to great lengths to conceal her identity, even going as far as digging a bullet out of her own leg. She was only discovered after being hospitalized and falling unconscious from fever. Thereafter, she was honorably discharged, but earned a full military pension. After her service, Deborah married and had three children. She conducted a year-long lecture tour telling of her experiences. After her death, her husband appealed for, and was awarded, pay as the spouse of a soldier.
Cathay Williams (circa 1844 – 1893). Cathay Williams defied both gender and racial barriers as the only documented African American woman to serve as a Buffalo Soldier in the U.S. Army. Cathay was born into slavery, but in November of 1866, she assumed the name “William Cathay” and enlisted in the 39th U.S. Infantry Company A, in St. Louis, MO (later to be known as Buffalo Soldiers). Though not believed to have engaged in combat, Cathay carried a musket and trooped through Kansas and New Mexico, assuming guard duty as required. She was admitted to the hospital on five different occasions, being discovered as a woman the final time, when she was honorably discharged by her commanding officer on October 14, 1868.
After her service, Cathay married, divorced, and then moved to Trinidad, Colorado, to work as a seamstress. A reporter learned about and published Cathay’s experience in the St. Louis Daily Times on January 2, 1876. The exact date of Cathay’s death is unknown but thought to be in 1893. In 2016, a bronze bust of Cathay Williams was unveiled outside the Richard Allen Cultural Center in Leavenworth, Kansas to honor her Buffalo Soldier service.
These incredible women were chosen to represent the contributions of the three million other females who have bravely served in our nation’s military history. These stories remind us that courage knows no gender, and determination can break down even the most challenging barriers.
Let us continue to celebrate and acknowledge the achievements of all the women in the military, ensuring that their legacies endure for generations to come.
