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MARY EDWARDS WALKER
(1832 - 1919)
TRANSVESTITE - DOCTOR - SUFFRAGETTE
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The United States Postal Administration issued a stamp
honoring Dr. Mary Edwards Walker on June 10, 1982.
They completely distorted Dr. Walker's image by making
her look more feminine, when in fact Dr. Walker was a
female transvestite who always dressed in male attire.
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Dr. Walker was a woman of many firsts. She was the first female graduate of
Syracuse Medical College. She was the only woman doctor to
serve in the Civil War. For her devotion to duty, and meritorious service, she received the 'Medal of Honor'
from President Andrew Johnson.
Dr. Walker's preference for dressing in men's clothing caused her to be arrested several times.
To solve this problem she petitioned Congress, and was the only woman to receive permission from that legislative body to dress in male attire, and not to be harassed by the police.
In 1917 Congress revised the rules for 'Medal of Honor' recipients; they then requested the return of 911 medals. Dr. Walker refused to return her medal. She continued campaigning for women's rights, and when she died in 1919, she was buried in full male attire, with her 'Medal of Honor' pinned to her lapel.
On June 10, 1977, President Jimmy Carter restored the 'Medal of Honor' to all 911 individuals.
Copyright Louis Paul Hennefeld 1983
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