WCW Mary E Walker Suffragist Medal of Honor Poster

Part of the #WCW poster series, this features Dr. Mary E. Walker, Civil War surgeon. She was the first and only woman to have won the Congressional Medal of Honor. It was taken away in 1917 over protest that being a woman, she could not have officially enrolled in the military and was not eligible for it. She refused to give it back and wore it for the rest of her life. President Carter restored the honor to her posthumously in 1976. Dr. Walker also faced tremendous criticism for choosing to wear pants. She felt more professional and was better able to carry out her duties as a surgeon. However, public opinion was cruel and she would be regularly ridiculed and taunted when she walked down the street. She didn't care and wore them anyway.