- Mary Walker, M.D. (1832-1919). Physician and lecturer. (Shown here about 1908 with Rev. Susanna Harris and Belva Lockwood, first woman to argue before the U.S. Supreme Court.) Dr. Walker was a lifelong campaigner tor nonrestrictive clothing, woman suffrage, temperance and nonsmoking. Unfortunately, toward the end of her life she was Page 62 →more noted for her eccentricities than her achievements. She had a distinguished record of medical service on the battlefronts of the Civil War and spent four months in Confederate prison as an enemy captive. Awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, 1865. Despite public ridicule which kept most women in hoop skirts, she persisted in wearing the sensible bloomer costume—and later a tuxedo. When World War I defense jobs made pants popular for women, Dr. Walker was credited by the press as pioneer of the new fashion. A stubborn political individualist who once associated with Susan B. Anthony and other leaders, she was too outspoken to suit her associates. She was well known (as “Dr. Mary”) in the social and political circles of Washington, D.C. and her hometown of Oswego, N.Y. Her wide circle of acquaintance included several U.S. presidents.
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