Dr. Mary Edwards Walker Earns Her Medal

Dr. Mary Edwards Walker loved to help people feel better. She studied hard and became a doctor. Not many women were doctors back then. But Mary never let that stop her. When the Civil War came, Mary said, "I must help." She went to the battlefield. Cannons were loud. Smoke was thick. Soldiers were hurt and scared. Mary walked right into the middle of it all. She held soldiers' hands. She cleaned their wounds. She said, "You are going to be okay." Some generals shook their heads. "Women cannot be army doctors," they said. Mary stood tall and kept working anyway. She wore her doctor's coat every single day. She crossed rivers and climbed muddy hills. She walked miles to find soldiers who needed her. One cold morning, Mary crossed enemy lines all alone. She wanted to help some very sick families near the battle. The enemy soldiers caught her. They took her to a prison far away. Mary sat in that cold, dark room. She was afraid. But she prayed and she waited. Four long months passed. Then one bright morning, the door swung open. "You are free," said a soldier with a smile. Mary walked out into the sunshine. She took a deep breath. Then she went right back to work helping people. When the war was finally over, the President gave Mary a shining medal. It was the Medal of Honor — the highest medal in all the land. Mary was the very first woman to ever receive it. She wore that medal every day for the rest of her long, brave life. And every time she put it on, she remembered: kindness and courage together can change the world. Sleep tight, little one. Be brave and be kind, just like Dr. Mary.