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Dr. Mary E. Walker
Nov. 26, 1832 - Feb. 21, 1919
The only woman to receive Congressional Medal of Honor
Dr. Mary Walker Honored With Town of Oswego Stamp Event

In 2000 the Dr. Mary Walker postcards went on sale in honor of her induction into the Womans Hall of Fame.
Dr. Mary Walker, a native of the Town of Oswego, was honored in Seneca Falls on October 7th. "I received a call from Postmaster Mary Charney asking if we would be interested in a stamp cancellation honoring this historic event," said a member of the town's Historical Society. Historical Society Members, Diana Gordon, Nancy Ravas and Thelma Johnson got together to fine tune the selection.

Town resident and local artist Diana Gordon designed the final selection for the stamp cancellation. Her son Aaron Gordon of Freelance Graphic Design was instrumental in the design of the post card. "I already have orders for the stamp and postcards and we hope to sell out." stated President Cooper.

Postmaster Charney also assisted by providing names and phone numbers of stamp retailers to obtain original Dr. Mary Walker stamps which were issued in 1982. A limited number of these stamps will also be for sale at this event.
For further information or to place an
order call 343-2586.
A Brief Chronology of Dr. Mary E. Walker
1832

Dr. Mary E. Walker

Mary E. Walker was bom November 26 at the family farm on Bunker Hill Road, in the Town of Oswego. She had four sisters: Aurora, Luna, Vesta, Cynthia, and one brother, Alvah.
1850-51
 Attended Falley Seminar in Fulton, New York.
1851-52
 Taught school in Minetto, New York.
1853
 Entered Central Medical College, Syracuse, New York.
1855
 Graduated from Medical College as the second woman in the United States to become a medical doctor. Elizabeth Blackwell (Geneva, New York) was the first. Also, this year she opened a practice in Columbus, Ohio, which lasted but a few months.
1856
 Dr. Mary Walker married Dr. Albert Miller, and they each opened a practice in Rome, New York.
1859
 The marriage was in effect terminated when Mary ordered her husband out of the house, charging him with unfaithfulness though it was to take another ten years for the divorce to become final.
1861
 Traveled to Washington, D.C. to volunteer her service in the hospitals during the early months of the Civil War.
1864
 After taking a wrong turn on the battlefields, Dr. Walker was taken prisoner by the Confederate forces and was taken to a prison in Richmond, Virginia. Four months later she obtained her freedom in a prisoner exchange.
1865

Dr. Walker was the first woman to have been awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.

Awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, based on her many acts of bravery and heroism on the battlefield of the Civil War.
1866
 Traveled widely throughout England and France -- gave many lectures to mostly receptive audiences.
1868
 Traveled extensively throughout the United States on lecture tours. She was not as enthusiastically received as she had been in Europe and her lectures were not great money makers.
1871
 Her book, HIT, was published. Also, in November she attempted to vote in Oswego Town, but was turned away.
1870s
 Much of the decade was spent lobbying in Washington, D.C. for the suffrage and other causes.
1878
 Her second book, UNMASKED: THE SCIENCE OF IMMORALITY, was published
1882
 Sought federal employment and was finally awarded a job as clerk in the Pensions Office of the Department of Interior. Friction developed and the job lasted less than two years.
1888-92
 Economic circumstances necessitated her lecture assignments at various dime museums throughout the Northeast. These were not much more than carnival sideshows.
1907
 CROWNING CONSTITUTIONAL ARGUMENT was published. This was the most comprehense statement of Dr. Mary Walker's approach to suffrage.
1917
 Announced a plan to end World War 1 by inviting the German Emperor to her Bunker Hill farm for negotiations and compromise.
1917
 Medal of Honor was revoked but was restored after her death.
1919
 Dr. Mary E. Walker died on February 21, at her home in the Town of Oswego. Her final resting spot is Rural Cemetery in the Town of Oswego.
A 20¢ stamp honoring Dr. Mary Walker was issued in Oswego, NY on June 10, 1982. The stamp commemorates the first woman to have been awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor and the second woman to graduate from a medical school in the United States.
This information was taken from the book "Dr. Mary Walker A Reader" . Written by Town of Oswego Historian Charles V. Groat Ph.D
Dr. Mary Walker Links
If you would like more information about this pioneer of the rights of women, follow the links below. If you are aware of additional links, please E-mail Historical Society.
Dr. Mary Edwards Walker