Blood, Guts, and Women!
When the Civil War arose, the traditional Victorian view of females was challenged as women in both the North and the South engaged in significant roles contributing to the raging war. Women served as substitutes in the roles that had generally filled by the men who were off fighting at the front. The most significant contribution by women was the advent of nursing and medical related specialties. The significance of women in the nursing field was definitely understated during the Civil War since nursing saw a massive increase of females in the business. The emergence of female nursing allowed women to branch out into more professional and specialized roles, which then enabled social mobility during and after the Civil War.
Because remember, in medical matters it’s female nurses who call the shots. ;)
Because remember, in medical matters it’s female nurses who call the shots. ;)
Nurse Annie Bell treats two injured soldiers after the Battle of Nashville. A photograph such as this one would have been displayed at a Sanitary Fair, issued by the National Sanitary Commission, in order to promote awareness of the growing presence of women in the workforce as men headed off to the battlefield as well as encourage more women to support the war effort.
Clara Barton, a.k.a. the angel of the battlefield was a prominent pioneer in the emerging field of female nursing. She is the best example of a committed nurse who brought much respect to the field of nursing. She even went on to establish the American Red Cross after the Civil War, in 1881.
This building of the United Sanitary Commission shows the extent of the health industry and how it significantly expanded during the Civil War. the United Sanitary Commission building represents the formality of the establishments and the workers and volunteers who contributed to the war effort.
Elizabeth Blackwell was America’s first female physician. Her significant role during the Civil War shows that women not only were nurses, but also had the ability to branch out into even higher fields. Blackwell, for example, specialized in gynecology and obstetrics.
Mary Anne Bickerdyke was an influential nurse who contributed to the Civil War effort by building more than three hundred hospitals, eliciting a ten thousand dollar donation to the United Sanitary Commission from a banker, and serving as a hospital administrator for the Union. Admired by General Ulysses S. Grant as well as General William T. Sherman, Bickerdyke represents the growing power of women in professional and specialized occupations during the Civil War.
Women during the Civil War didn't just contribute to the war effort through nursing. In fact, in a cartoon published by Harper's Weekly (shown to the left), women also helped raise funds for the war through selling their hair. With the help of women, the Sanitary Commission raised about six million dollars to contribute to the war effort. Not bad, huh?
Ask Clara
Dear Clara,
I have abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea. HELP ME PLEASE! Sincerely, IminPain Dear Iminpain, I feel that you may have the common disease of dysentery. This can be caused by many infections and can be cured by vomiting. Please visit one of the nearby hospitals and there will be someone to help you. Sincerely, Clara |
Dear Clara,
I would like to go into nursing because my husband is no longer here and before the war, he was well known for helping people. Please let me know what I can do. Sincerely, Nursewannabe Dear Nursewannabe, In order to help people, you must be dedicated and compassionate. Furthermore, you must be willing to deal with the blood, guts and horrors of war. Visit the closest hospital and hopefully you’ll find your way. Sincerely, Clara |
Dear Clara,
Recently my gums have been swelling and bleeding. I realized my wounds are getting worse and aren’t healing. Sincerely, Bloodymouth Dear Bloodymouth, I believe that you have the symptoms that point to the disease scurvy. Please consume more vegetables and fruits, and visit your local hospital for treatment. Sincerely, Clara |
Dear Clara,
I have recently lost my husband in the war and my daughter wishes to go into the nursing field. I’m hesitant on letting her go. Please give me your thoughts. Sincerely, mydaughteriscrazy Dear mydaughteriscrazy, I realize why you might be worried on letting your daughter go into this noble profession. However, nursing is very important to the many soldiers, like your husband, who have lost their lives in the war. If your daughter wishes to join the medical field, I would advise you take her to the closest hospital and allow her to see if it’s the right place. Sincerely, Clara |
Answers to BLOOD, GUTS, and WOMEN! Fun Fact Quiz
1. Mary Ann Bickerdyke
2. Elizabeth Blackwell
3. Clara Barton
1. Mary Ann Bickerdyke
2. Elizabeth Blackwell
3. Clara Barton
Works Cited
"A Hint for the Sanitary Fair." Cartoon. Harper's Weekly: March 19, 1864. Hobart and William Smith Colleges, n.d. Web. 3 Dec. 2013.
Annie Bell. N.d. Photograph. Web. 3 Dec. 2013. <http://www.carlisle.army.mil/AHEC/AHM/civilwarimagery/Civil_War_Nurses.cfm>.
Clara Barton. 1905. Photograph. Clara Barton, 1821-1912 Civil War Nurse Founder American Red Cross. Web. 03 Dec. 2013.
<http://americancivilwar.com/women/cb.html>.
Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell. N.d. Photograph. Changing the Face of Medicine. National Institutes of Health. Web. 03 Dec. 2013.
<http://www.nlm.nih.gov/changingthefaceofmedicine/physicians/biography_35.html>.
Mary Ann Bickerdyke. N.d. Photograph. N.p.
United States Sanitary Commission Home Lodge for Invalid Soldiers. N.d. Photograph. Washington D.C. Duxbury in the Civil War. Web. 03 Dec. 2013.
<http://duxburyinthecivilwar.wordpress.com/tag/united-states-sanitary-commission/>.
"A Hint for the Sanitary Fair." Cartoon. Harper's Weekly: March 19, 1864. Hobart and William Smith Colleges, n.d. Web. 3 Dec. 2013.
Annie Bell. N.d. Photograph. Web. 3 Dec. 2013. <http://www.carlisle.army.mil/AHEC/AHM/civilwarimagery/Civil_War_Nurses.cfm>.
Clara Barton. 1905. Photograph. Clara Barton, 1821-1912 Civil War Nurse Founder American Red Cross. Web. 03 Dec. 2013.
<http://americancivilwar.com/women/cb.html>.
Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell. N.d. Photograph. Changing the Face of Medicine. National Institutes of Health. Web. 03 Dec. 2013.
<http://www.nlm.nih.gov/changingthefaceofmedicine/physicians/biography_35.html>.
Mary Ann Bickerdyke. N.d. Photograph. N.p.
United States Sanitary Commission Home Lodge for Invalid Soldiers. N.d. Photograph. Washington D.C. Duxbury in the Civil War. Web. 03 Dec. 2013.
<http://duxburyinthecivilwar.wordpress.com/tag/united-states-sanitary-commission/>.
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