Description:

Walker Mary 1813 - 1919

Scarce Mary Walker signature, a Civil War era female surgeon who wore pants! PSA/DNA slabbed.

PSA/DNA slabbed Mary E. Walker (1832-1919) signature graded NM 7. Cream stock card signed by Walker, one of America's first female doctors, as "Mary E. Walker, M.D." in pencil recto. Signature is elegant, whimsical, and underlined with cross-hatched flourish. Inscribed in pencil by different hand verso: "Famous woman physician + fighter for 'woman's rights', (1832-1919), wore male attire, served in Union Army (1864-5), scarce". In very good condition, with expected grubbiness and a few isolated stains. The card measures 3.5" x 1.875" while the slab measures 7.25" x 4.25".

Mary Walker grew up in Oswego, New York in an unconventional family that approved of women's education, condemned restrictive female clothing, and encouraged free thinking. Walker attended a female seminary in nearby Fulton and then received her medical degree from Syracuse Medical College in 1855. Walker practiced private family medicine before enlisting as a civilian volunteer in the Union Army in 1861. At first, despite her medical degree, Walker could only serve as a nurse; later, she would become the Union Army's first female surgeon. Walker was imprisoned in a Confederate prison for four months in 1864. She was awarded the Medal of Honor for her exceptional service.

In addition to being one of the few female doctors around, Walker was easily recognizable by her distinct manner of dress. Walker had grown up on a farm, so she was accustomed to pants. In her young adulthood, she typically wore trousers, suspenders, and a modified short skirt. Later she frequently wore only pants, saying, "I don't wear men's clothes, I wear my own clothes." In addition to lobbying for women's rights, Walker was championed temperance and progressive health care. Walker died one year before women were granted the vote.

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