Mary Walker wearing bloomers

Mary Walker was the only woman physician to serve as a government-commissioned surgeon in the American Civil War. She was appointed contract surgeon for the 52nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry in March 1864. In recognition of her services to the Union Army, President Andrew Johnson gave her a Medal of Honor in November 1865.  Dr. Walker was also a strong advocate for women’s dress reform, movement which began in the middle of the 19th century and whose goals was to change women’s clothing to be more comfortable and practical. After the Civil War  she began wearing “men’s clothing” – trousers and dinner jackets, accompanied by short hair and sometimes a top hat.

Dr. Mary Walker was proud of her Medal of Honor and wore it often.  Although she adopted reform dress during the Civil War, her transition to wearing only men’s clothing was a slow one.