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