Doctor or Doctress?

Explore American history through the eyes of women physicians

Photograph of Dr. Mary Walker, wearing a man’s suit, including a Prince Albert dinner jacket and a top hat.

Get the story...

“How Dr. Mary is Remarkable”: A Female Surgeon in the Civil War

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. She began wearing bloomers [loose-fitting pants, gathered at the ankle and often worn under knee-length dresses] during the Civil War and after the War began wearing “men’s clothing” – trousers and Prince Albert jackets, accompanied by short hair and sometimes a top hat. After the Civil War, Dr. Mary became president of the National Dress Reform Association and was active in the Central Women’s Suffrage Bureau.

Although Dr. Walker supported the women’s dress reform movement, her clothing choices were often too radical for other supporters, and this alienated her from the other supporters.

Creator: Harris and Ewing

Language: english

Item Number: p2107

Pages: 1

Size: 17.8 x 25.3cm

Physical Collection: ACC-AHC1

Finding Aid: http://archives.drexelmed.edu/collect/guide/photo.php

Link to OPAC Record: http://innopac.library.drexel.edu/search/c?SEARCH=ACC-AHC1

Cite this source: Title of document, date. A Female Civil War Surgeon: How Dr. Mary is Remarkable. Doctor or Doctress?: Explore American history through the eyes of women physicians. The Legacy Center, Drexel University College of Medicine Archives & Special Collections. Philadelphia, PA. Date of access. http://lcdc.library.drexel.edu/islandora/object/islandora:1494

Walker, Mary Edwards, 1832-1919

Hats

Medals

Women's clothing

Washington (D.C.)