Mary Edwards Walker: America’s Only Female Medal of Honor Recipient

The only woman ever awarded the Medal of Honor. A battlefield surgeon. A women’s rights advocate. A rebel who redefined what it meant to be a patriot. This is the extraordinary true story of Dr. Mary Edwards Walker. In the midst of the American Civil War, Dr. Mary E. Walker shattered barriers as the first female surgeon contracted by the U.S. Army. She operated on wounded soldiers near the front lines, crossed enemy territory to aid civilians, and endured months as a Confederate prisoner of war. For her bravery, she was awarded the Medal of Honor–making her the only woman in American history to receive the nation’s highest military decoration. But Mary’s fight didn’t end with the war. She spent the rest of her life challenging 19th-century conventions–campaigning for women’s suffrage, advocating for dress reform, and speaking out against political and social inequality. Often ridiculed, arrested for wearing pants, and ultimately stripped of her medal by the U.S. government, Dr. Walker stood her ground with unshakable resolve. In Mary E. Walker: America’s Only Female Medal of Honor Recipient, author Ammar Habib delivers a gripping and meticulously researched biography that brings this overlooked icon to life. Through rich historical detail and emotionally resonant storytelling, readers gain a deeper understanding of the woman behind the medal–her ideals, sacrifices, and the lasting impact of her legacy. Perfect for fans of women’s history, Civil War nonfiction, feminist biographies, and stories of trailblazing pioneers, this book is an inspiring tribute to one of America’s boldest and most resilient figures. Dr. Mary Walker’s story is not just history–it’s a call to courage, defiance, and enduring hope.