Mary Walker Wears the Pants

Mary Walker Wears the Pants
by Cheryl Harness



Mary Walker was born into a United States when women did not have the same rights as men.  Not only were woman not allowed to vote, but it was not accepted that they should be able to wear pants.  It was thought to be natural and proper that women only wear skirts.  It was also believe women should not be doctors or govern.  Mary disagreed.

In 1855 she became one of the first female physicians.

She believed in equal rights for women, men and opposed slavery.

She spent her life working towards that goal, going to war and doctoring the sick.  She didn't take sides when it came to taking care of the sick.  She would heal the Confederate soldiers also.  Unfortunately she was jailed by the Confederacy because they thought she was a spy.  Months later she was released in an equal exchange.

Mary Walker didn't live to see women vote, but she fought for equality and lived as a true individual.

 This book is a great reminder of the length women have come in the past 100 years.  It is hard to imagine not being able to vote, wear my favorite jeans or be told which profession I could or could not do.  Not only could this book inspire a young girl, but a young boy also to help both see the great strides both men and women have come. This would be a good biography for a 2nd-4th grader.  It read easily and the pictures carried the story well.