The Spanish-American War

The Spanish-American War

The Spanish-American War was particularly short, compared to most wars. The end result was that America gained the Philippines, Guam, and Puerto Rico. Women during this war participated in the U.S Army Nurse Corps., but there are no records of women in the U.S Navy or Marine Corps. The U.S Navy Nurse Corps. was not established until 1909, about a decade after the Spanish-American War. The Army nurses of this war were of primary importance due to the spread of diseases like Yellow Fever, Malaria, and deadly infections.

The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) was created around this time period, which gave women the opportunity to express their patriotic freedom. According to the Women in Military Service For America Memorial Foundation Inc., "A woman named Dr. Anita Newcomb McGee suggested to the Army Surgeon General that the DAR be appointed to select professionally qualified nurses to serve under contract to the U.S Army" (section 5). In result, 1500 nurses were stationed to many hospitals at war sites. It was reported that at least 20 of these women were killed on duty. Eventually, Dr. McGee was promoted as Acting Assistant Surgeon General- the first woman to ever hold this position.

                                       

Not only were women involved with nursing, they were also journalists. Journalism was a very popular career many women had during this time period. In fact, according to the National Women's History Museum, the 1900 census stated that there was 30,098 female journalists (p. 28). Some famous female journalists during the Spanish-American War were Anna Northend Benjamin and Mrs. Trumball White. Both women went to Cuba to cover the news of the war. Mrs. Trumball White, journalist for the Chicago Record, actually signed on as a Red Cross Nurse in order to get an insider scoop first hand in Cuba.

References

National Women's History Museum. (2007). Women report on the american-spanish war. Retrieved from http://www.nwhm.org/online-exhibits/womenwithdeadlines/wwd27.htm

(n.d.). Army nurse corps, nurse needed now. [Print Photo]. Retrieved from http://www.blujay.com/item/WWII-US-ARMY-Nurse-Corps-Nurses-Needed-NOW-1040302-2221407

University of Toledo Army ROTC Nursing. (Photographer). (2010). Retrieved from http://www.toledoarmyrotc.org/about/nursing/

Women in Military Service For America Memorial Foundation Inc. (n.d.). Highlights in the history of military women. Retrieved from http://www.womensmemorial.org/Education/timeline.html

The Civil War

The Civil War

During the Civil War Era, most women were still confined to their domestic lifestyles, however, some were becoming more educated, more demanding of their personal rights as citizens, and more self-sufficient. When men entered the war, many women took on factory jobs to keep a steady income for their families at home. Women pursed education, especially for medical professions, because they were discouraged to go into most other jobs. According to "Women in the Civil War" by Mary Massey, "When the Civil War started, there were many licensed females physicians. Two well-known physicians are Emily Blackwell and Mary Walker" (p. 10). Another well known profession for women was teaching, but even in that profession they were discriminated against because most schools preferred male teachers. Emma Willard protested against this by opening up a women's teaching academy, to train female teachers and to make them so qualified, they would look better than their male competitors.


In addition to the medical field and education, women during the Civil War began to using writing as a way of life that allowed them to express themselves. The author of Uncle Tom's Cabin was a woman named Harriet Beecher Stowe. This book sold over 300,000 copies, was translated into 10 different languages, and influenced a lot of individuals on anti-slavery.One of the only ways a woman could voice her opinion on slavery was through writing.

Northern women started many anti-slavery and women's right crusades. The biggest issues women were fighting for included: property rights, legal-guardian rights over their children, equal wages, and more liberal divorce laws. Many women during this time period also became more involved in politics. The would read the newspapers and even attend speeches related to the election and political discussions. 

Many women, (especially Southern women), felt it was their duty to encourage the men in their family to enlist in the war. Women also made it their duty to collect donations from wealthy businessmen to fund supplies such as food, clothing, and medical equipment that the men needed during war. In addition women ran places for passing war soldiers to stay at called Refreshment Saloons in the North or Wayside Homes in the South. At these lodging places a soldier could receive a meal or medical help. 

Massey notes that this "Cooper Shop Refreshment Saloon dispensed more than 80,000 dollars worth of supplies and 600,000 meals" (p. 36). Making a huge difference to many soldiers.

References

Lai, C. L. (Designer). (2006). Uncle tom's cabin. [Web Photo]. Retrieved from http://bookcoverarchive.com/book/the_annotated_uncle_toms_cabin

Massey, M. E. (1994). Women in the civil war. University of      Nebraska Press. Retrieved from http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=iMOXnAboxV4C&oi=fnd&pg=PA3&dq=women in the civil war&ots=g1ntIOd14Y&sig=EJWYa2JbwpwZ7DI7DvPHpdXe32o 

Sheaff, R. D. (Designer). (n.d.). Cooper shop volunteer refreshment saloon and hospital . [Web Photo]. Retrieved from http://www.sheaff-ephemera.com/list/advertising-covers/cooper-shop-volunteer-refre.html