Doctor Mary Edwards Walker Award

Mary Walker (1832 - 21 February 1919) graduated Syracuse Medical College in 1855.  She became a volunteer field surgeon in November 1862. In September 1863, Major Gen. George Thomas appointed her  a civilian contract as acting assistant surgeon.

Captured in April 1864, she spent 4 months in various prisons, until exchanged in August. By October she was the medical director at a female prison hospital in a Kentucky and an orphanage in Tennessee.  Following the war, she was involved with the women’s rights movement, crusaded against immorality, alcohol and tobacco and for clothing and election reform. 
 

Presented a Medal of Honor in January 1866; the medal was repealed in 1916 as it did not include actual combat with an enemy. President Jimmy Carter restored it to her in 1977.

Married Dr. Albert Miller 1856, separated 1859, divorced 1869.