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Dr. Mary Edwards Walker, the only woman to be awarded the Medal of Honor, was a Civil War surgeon and women's dress reform advocate.
Born in 1832 to parents that encouraged her to think freely, she was allowed to wear bloomers instead of skirts and corsets. Walker, who graduated from Syracuse Medical College in 1855, opposed society's traditional women's dress code and often wore clothing she found more practical and comfortable.
When the Civil War began in 1861, Walker wanted to join the Union's efforts, but was not allowed to serve as an army medical officer. Instead, she became an unpaid volunteer surgeon and began to treat wounded soldiers near the front lines. In 1863, the Army finally accepted her and she became the first woman to serve as a U.S. Army surgeon.
Walker, who often crossed battle lines to care for wounded soldiers was captured by Confederate troops in 1864 and held for four months before being freed in a prisoner exchange.
President Andrew Johnson presented Walker with the Medal of Honor in 1865. The medal was stripped from her in 1916 because she was a civilian at the time of her valor. Later the honor was officially restored by President Jimmy Carter.
Philadelphia and Denver pair in Brilliant Uncirculated quality.
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