Mary Walker
Born 1832 · Age 193
American physician, Civil War surgeon, abolitionist, dress reformer and suffragist; only woman awarded the U.S. Medal of Honor.
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Life & Career Timeline
Family establishes free school (late 1830s)
Walker parents founded the first free school in Oswego so sons and daughters would receive equal education (late 1830s; Mary attended as child).
Born in Oswego, New York
Mary Edwards Walker born to Alvah and Vesta Whitcomb Walker on the family farm near Oswego, NY.
Attended Falley Seminary
Mary and two older sisters attended Falley Seminary in Fulton, NY (approx. 1850–1852), an institution emphasizing social reform and education.
Began teaching in Minetto, NY
After graduating from Falley Seminary, Walker worked as a schoolteacher in Minetto to save money for medical school.
Entered Syracuse Medical College
Walker enrolled at Syracuse Medical College to pursue a medical degree (attendance approx. 1853–1855).
Graduated Syracuse Medical College (MD)
Earned her medical degree in 1855, the only woman in her class and one of the earliest female graduates (second woman after Elizabeth Blackwell at that college).
Established joint medical practice in Rome, NY
Mary and Albert Miller set up a medical practice in Rome, NY; public resistance to a female physician led to its failure.
Married Albert Miller
Married fellow medical student Albert Miller; she refused to include 'obey' in her vows, kept her name and wore trousers under her skirt at the wedding.
Separated from Albert Miller (approx.)
Sources indicate the couple separated around 1859 (Britannica cites separation in 1859; later divorce follows).
Attended Bowen Collegiate Institute (Iowa); suspended
Briefly attended Bowen Collegiate Institute (later Lenox College) in Hopkinton, Iowa; suspended/expelled for refusing to resign from the all-male debating society she joined.
Volunteered at outbreak of Civil War
At Civil War outbreak, traveled to Washington, D.C., offered services; initially turned down for commission because she was a woman; served as unpaid volunteer surgeon/nurse at the Patent Office Hospital and temporary hospitals.
Served at First Battle of Bull Run
Worked as a volunteer medical attendant during/after the First Battle of Bull Run (Manassas), July 21, 1861.
Served at Patent Office Hospital, Washington D.C.
Worked at the U.S. Patent Office Hospital as an unpaid volunteer surgeon/nurse (fall 1861).
Worked near front lines at Fredericksburg and Chattanooga
By 1862 Walker was treating wounded soldiers near front lines, including engagements around Fredericksburg and later in Tennessee/Chattanooga areas.
Earned Hygeio-Therapeutic College degree
According to Britannica, Walker took time in 1862 to earn a degree from New York Hygeio-Therapeutic College (nature of degree is therapeutic/hygiene).
Wrote to War Department offering to serve as spy
On September 22, 1862 Walker wrote to Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton offering her services as a spy; the proposal was declined.
Employed as Contract Acting Assistant Surgeon (civilian)
In September 1863 Walker was engaged by the Army of the Cumberland as a 'Contract Acting Assistant Surgeon (civilian),' becoming the first woman so employed by the U.S. Army (first female surgeon engaged for field duty).
Served in Chattanooga after Battle of Chickamauga
Worked in Chattanooga following the Battle of Chickamauga (Sept 1863), treating wounded soldiers in that theater.
Captured by Confederate troops (Castle Thunder)
On April 10, 1864 Walker was seized by Confederate troops after crossing lines to treat civilians and arrested as a spy; imprisoned at Castle Thunder in Richmond, VA.
Released in prisoner exchange
Released from Castle Thunder on August 12, 1864 in a prisoner exchange (exchanged for a Confederate surgeon).
Contracted as assistant surgeon, 52nd Ohio Infantry
In September 1864 Walker received a contract as assistant surgeon with the Ohio 52nd Infantry; later served at Louisville Women's Prison Hospital and an orphan asylum in Clarksville, TN.
Awarded disability pension (beginning)
Granted a disability pension for partial muscular atrophy suffered during imprisonment, beginning June 13, 1865, at $8.50/month.
Awarded the Medal of Honor
President Andrew Johnson signed the testimonial awarding Mary E. Walker the Medal of Honor for meritorious service during the Civil War (Nov 11, 1865). She remains the only woman to have received the Medal of Honor.
Elected president, National Dress Reform Association
Walker became president of the National Dress Reform Association, advancing 'rational dress' and wearing trousers/bloomers to promote hygiene and mobility.
Divorce from Albert Miller finalized
Walker and Albert Miller's divorce was finalized in 1869 (sources indicate separation years earlier and divorce in 1869).
Arrested in New Orleans for cross-dressing
Walker was arrested in New Orleans in 1870 because she was wearing men's clothing; released when recognized in court.
Published Hit: Essays on Women's Rights
Published the partly autobiographical book Hit: Essays on Women's Rights (1871), addressing dress reform, suffrage and women's rights.
Attempted to register to vote; denied
Walker attempted to register to vote in 1871, asserting the Constitution already granted women the right; her registration was denied.
Published Unmasked, or The Science of Immorality
Published Unmasked; or, the Science of Immorality (1878), continuing her writings on social reform and medicine.
Displayed in dime-museum exhibitions (occasional)
Reportedly after 1886 Walker occasionally appeared in dime-museum sideshows, exhibiting her attire and medal (reported in some sources).
Returned to / lived in Oswego, NY (from 1890 onward)
By 1890 Walker lived in Oswego, NY, where she continued activism for women's rights and dress reform.
Pension increased to $20/month
Walker’s disability pension was increased from $8.50/month (originally granted in 1865) to $20/month in 1899.
Published 'Crowning Constitutional Argument'
Walker published 'Crowning Constitutional Argument' arguing elements of the Constitution and states already conferred voting rights to women.
Testified to U.S. House Committee on Judiciary (1912)
Submitted testimony/statement before the House Judiciary Committee in support of women's suffrage (document dated Feb 14, 1912).
Testified again before U.S. House on suffrage; public appearances
Walker testified again to Congress in support of women's suffrage in 1914 and remained publicly active despite ostracism from some suffrage leaders over dress and tactics.
Congress creates pension act prompting review of Medal of Honor roll
Congress' 1916 pension legislation led the Army to review prior Medal of Honor awards for eligibility, beginning a process affecting Walker's award.
Medal of Honor revoked from official Army roll
An Army Medal of Honor review board struck Walker's name from the Army Medal of Honor Roll in 1917 (along with ~910 others) because she was a civilian contract surgeon and not a commissioned officer.
Died in Oswego, NY
After a long illness Mary Edwards Walker died at home on February 21, 1919; buried in a black suit in Rural Cemetery, Oswego, NY. She continued to wear her Medal despite revocation.
Liberty ship named SS Mary Walker
During World War II a Liberty ship was named SS Mary Walker in her honor (WWII-era naming).
Medal of Honor restored posthumously
On June 10, 1977 the Army Board for Correction of Military Records restored Mary Walker's Medal of Honor to her name (retroactive restoration; action controversial in process).
U.S. Postal Service stamp issued
The U.S. Postal Service issued a 20-cent commemorative stamp honoring Mary Edwards Walker (1982).
Inducted into National Women's Hall of Fame
Mary Edwards Walker was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame in recognition of her contributions to medicine and women's rights.
Bronze statue unveiled in Oswego, NY
A 900-pound bronze statue honoring Mary Edwards Walker was unveiled in front of the Oswego Town Hall (May 2012).
Featured in The Book of Gutsy Women
Walker was included as a profile in Hillary and Chelsea Clinton's 2019 book The Book of Gutsy Women.
Fort A.P. Hill renamed Fort Walker
As part of the DoD renaming of bases, Fort A.P. Hill in Virginia was officially renamed Fort Walker on August 25, 2023, honoring Mary Edwards Walker (first U.S. military installation exclusively named after a woman).
Featured on American Women Quarters Program coin
Mary Edwards Walker is an honoree on the U.S. Mint 2024 American Women Quarters Program; design depicts her with surgical kit and Medal of Honor.
Reported reversion of Fort Walker name (news reports)
News reports in 2025 indicate the Army restored several bases' previous Confederate-linked names and that Fort Walker (formerly Fort A.P. Hill) naming was reverted by a 2025 administration action (controversial and reported June 2025).
Key Achievement Ages
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