The Oswego County Legislature marked Women’s History Month in March by posthumously recognizing Dr. Mary Edwards Walker for her lifetime achievements.

Dr. Walker was a Town of Oswego native, Civil War surgeon, women’s rights activist and abolitionist. She was the second woman to obtain a medical degree in the United States and is the only female recipient (to date) of the Congressional Medal of Honor.

“Dr. Mary Walker was an outstanding woman, and certainly the most significant historical figure from Oswego County,” said Oswego County Legislator Mary Ellen Chesbro, District 10, chairwoman of the Legislature’s Economic Development and Planning committee. “Her many accomplishments have had an impact on the country and society as a whole, which is why we wanted to honor her during Women’s History Month. We also recognize all the women who are making history today, serving their communities as dedicated volunteers, business owners, workers and mothers.”

Many recognitions have been bestowed upon Dr. Walker throughout the years. During World War II, a liberty ship was named S.S. Mary Walker in her honor, and in 1982 the U.S. Postal service released a commemorative stamp with her image on it. She was also memorialized in her hometown in 2012 with a 900-pound bronze statue of her placed in front of Oswego Town Hall.

More recent honors include a U.S. Army Garrison Regional Training Center in Virginia being renamed as Fort Walker in 2023 in honor of the doctor’s heroism on the battlefield. Dr. Walker is also part of the U.S. Mint’s 2024 American Women Quarters Program, with a quarter featuring her image to be released in June.

“We’re thrilled to see Dr. Mary Walker get the recognition she deserves,” said Oswego Town Historian George DeMass. “Dr. Walker truly is a woman of two worlds. While she has a profound impact on Oswego County, she is also very important within the world of the U.S. Army. Her work began to break the barriers of gender and race in the U.S. Army, and it’s a great honor to have her celebrated by so many people.”

The Oswego Town Historical Society and the Oswego County Historical Society will co-host an event on Saturday, June 8 with the U.S. Mint to celebrate the release of Dr. Walker’s quarter. There will be an unveiling ceremony, a speaker’s panel and educational displays. The event begins at 2 p.m. at Oswego High School’s Robinson-Faust Theater, 2 Buccaneer Blvd., Oswego.

Organizations that will be in attendance include the National Museum of Women, the U.S. Army, the Whitman-Walker Health Clinic of Washington, D.C., and the Smithsonian Institution. In addition, descendants of Dr. Mary Walker will travel from across the U.S. to attend.

OSWEGO COUNTY RECOGNIZES WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH – The Oswego County Legislature’s Economic Development and Planning Committee proclaimed March as Women’s History Month by recognizing the accomplishments of Dr. Mary Edwards Walker, Town of Oswego native, Civil War surgeon, women’s rights activist and abolitionist. The proclamation also served to recognize women making history today. The committee presented the proclamation to members of the Oswego Town Historical Society, Oswego County Historical Society and the Zonta Club of Oswego. Pictured from left are legislators Edward Gilson, District 3; Paul House, District 8; Committee Vice Chairwoman Noelle Beckwith-Salmonsen, District 21; Marie C. Schadt, District 19; Iraina Gerchman, Zonta Club; Tammy Thompson, Zonta Club; Committee Chairwoman Mary Ellen Chesbro, District 10; Mary Kay Stone, Oswego County Historical Society; Kristin LaBarge, Zonta Club; George DeMass, Oswego Town Historical Society; Paul Connolly, District 20; and Roy E. Reehil, District 5.