Dr. Mary Edwards Walker was a surgeon, suffragist, and feminist reformer. In 1865, she was awarded the Medal of Honor for her service as a contract surgeon with the Union Army during the Civil War. Dr. Walker remains, to this day, the only woman ever to receive the Medal of Honor. The HERstory Spotlight Series takes a look at stories from both the Military Women's Memorial (MWM) Register, an interactive online database of military women, and MWM's world class collection. The Military Women’s Memorial, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is the only historical repository documenting all military women’s service. It is located at the ceremonial entrance to Arlington National Cemetery and features an education center, interactive exhibitions, a world-class collection of military women’s stories, and engaging programs and events for all generations. Find out more about us at www.womensmemorial.org.

Students will compare and contrast four petitions (primary sources) in favor of woman suffrage to identify reasons why women wanted the right to vote.