Hall of Fame Essay - Katie Zachgo
In a culture absorbed in social media, societal icons, and historical influences, it is very difficult to uncover the unsung heroes that have influenced social change. Unsung heroes are people that do the work of heroes, but are often overlooked for their contribution to society. Anna Etheridge, a Civil War Union nurse, is an unsung hero who deserves both the acknowledgement of the world, and to be in the Historical Hall of Fame. Known as the “Little Soldier in Petticoats,” Anna “Gentle Annie” Etheridge, was born on May 3, 1844, in Detroit, Michigan, but moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin after her mother died. There, she grew up with her father, who was very ill, and became a skilled nurse while caring for him.
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This heroic woman was one of only two women to ever receive the Kearny Cross. This was a great honor as it stood for bravery and sacrifice to the Union Army in a time where women were inferior to men. She encountered many hardships, such as a bullet wound, exhaustion, and having to march for miles on end. However, she continued unfalteringly. She refused a break, even when she had only one good hand to work with. Hardwork and greatness defined Anna’s life. This is still recognized today, as she was inducted into the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame in 2010. Because of this, Anna Etheridge is a deserving and well qualified heroine for our Historical Hall of …show more content…
Anna embodiesying the motto of the Historical Hall of Fame:e motto, “Honoring Great People Both Past and Present”. This expectationmotto is crucial ina way for young people to teaching society about individuals someone fromin history. It is a great opportunity for unsung heroes of the past and present to be rediscovered and honored for years to come. Younger girls today would benefit from having a leader like Anna. If Anna Etheridge were alive today, it would result in a kinder and more ambitious society. She would voice her beliefswhat she believed and encourage others to stand up for what is right. Anna exemplified service in caring for the wounded, which would encourage more people to put others first. Anna would teach people to not be afraid, to defy stereotypes, and to love everyone. She would also say that just because someone’s a girl, it doesn’t mean that they can’t excel. Society needs to know that they are loved, worth it, and can do anything if they put their mind to it. With all of the previously mentioned points, Anna Etheridge is more than deserving of a spot in the Historical Hall of
Zeinert, Karen. Those Incredible Women of World War 2: The Millbrook Press, Brookfield, Connecticut 1994
Lillian Wald: A Biography is the gripping and inspiring story of an American who left her mark on the history of the United States. Wald dedicated herself to bettering the lives of those around her. She was the founder of The Henry Street Settlement along with the Visiting Nurse Service of New York. She worked with politics around the world and tried to bring healthcare and reform to people around the world. Using the lessons she learned in her childhood she worked closely with people from all backgrounds to fight for “universal brotherhood”. Wald was a progressive reformer, a social worker, a nurse, a teacher, and an author. Notably Lillian Wald, unlike many of the other women involved in the progressive movement such as Jane Adams, never received the same acknowledgement in the academic world.
As historians bring to light groups long excluded, or condescendingly treated only as victim, they are recovering the life stories of more and more “unknowns” and coming up with more and more unsung heroes and heroines.
The role of women in American history has evolved a great deal over the past few centuries. In less than a hundred years, the role of women has moved from housewife to highly paid corporate executive to political leader. As events in history have shaped the present world, one can find hidden in such moments, pivotal points that catapult destiny into an unforeseen direction. This paper will examine one such pivotal moment, fashioned from the fictitious character known as ‘Rosie the Riveter’ who represented the powerful working class women during World War II and how her personification has helped shape the future lives of women.
In the United States during the 1800's, the Civil War had broken out and the need for disaster relief emerged. Their had not been a specific organization or person to adminster aid to the wounded until Clara Barton came about. She had a unique ability to identify people who were underserved and easily forgotten.Clara took a courageous stand by nursing and caring for wounded soldiers. In addition to her battlefield work, she went on to search for the missing and dead soldiers of the Civil War and establish the American Associaton of the Red Cross. Clara Barton took a stand when others were falling and need help.
Clara Barton is a very important health pioneer. Clara Barton started the Red Cross in America which is still in operation today. She overcame many obstacles throughout her life and many people telling her she couldn’t do it. She is an inspiration to everyone. She grew up and her life began in North Oxford, Massachusetts, she was inspired by Florence Nightingale, she helped during and after wars, she helped with her ill family and battled her own depression, she started the Red Cross after much hard work and even after all that resigned and still made an impact (Cobb, 2014).
Hamen, Susan E. Clara Barton: Civil War Hero & American Red Cross Founder. Edina, MN: ABDO Pub., 2010. Print.
When the American Civil War began on April 12th, 1861, over 3 million Union and Confederate soldiers prepared for battle. Men from all over America were called upon to support their side in the confrontation. While their battles are well documented and historically analyzed for over a hundred years, there is one aspect, one dark spot missing in the picture: the role of women in the American Civil War. From staying at home to take care of the children to disguising themselves as men to fight on the battlefield, women contributed in many ways to the war effort on both sides. Though very few women are recognized for their vital contributions, even fewer are
Mary Eliza Mahoney was born May 7, 1845 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Smith, J, & Phelps, S, 1992) Mary Mahoney was the first African American professional nurse. She spent over 40 years as a private duty nurses going to sick people’s homes nursing them back to health. She was such a wonderful private duty nurse that after joining a nursing directory, Mary was called upon time after time by the families that hired her all over the country near and faraway. Mary Mahoney was a member of the Nurses Associated Alumnae of the United States and Canada now known as the American Nurses Association (ANA) since 1896. (Webster, Raymond B, 1999) She was also one of the first members of the National Association of Colored Graduate Nurses (NACGN) which was a minority nursing organizations that was focused on equality for African-American nurses comparable to that of non minority nurses. Mary was named chaplain of the organization and was later named a lifetime member. After her death on January 4, 1926 from breast cancer the National Association of Colored Graduates Nurses named an award in honor of Mary Eliza Mahoney, after the NACGN was disbanded in 1951 the American Nurses Association continued the Mary Eliza Mahoney award. (Webster, Raymond B, 1999)
Fondly referred to as the "angel of the battlefield" (The Encyclopedia Britannica Online), Clara Barton served as one of the greatest humanitarians this country has ever known. Persistent beyond belief, Clara employed her remarkable interpersonal skills to teach unruly school children, to collect supplies to send to the battlefront, and to struggle to form the American Red Cross. An equal rights advocate, her most memorable successes consisted of improvements in education, foreign aid, and blacks' and women's rights. This American heroine, whose efforts and bravery have become legendary, worked diligently to reach her ideal: "creating the vigilant social conscience which alone can safeguard individual liberty from the assaults of its enemies and make a nation great in its own eyes, as well as in the estimation of a critical world" (Joyce 1959, p.96).
From childhood to death Clara Barton dedicated her life to helping others. She is most notably remembered for her work as a nurse on the battlefield during the Civil War and for the creation of the American Red Cross. Barton was also an advocate for human rights. Equal rights for all men, women, black and white. She worked on the American equal Rights Association and formed relations with civil rights leaders such as Anna Dickensen and Fredric Douglass. Her undeterred determination and selflessness is undoughtably what made her one of the most noteworthy nurses in American history.
""In Search of the Heroes": The Susan B. Anthony Story." "In Search of the Heroes": The Susan
Grace Abbott was born November 17, 1878 in Grand Island, Nebraska. Grace was one of four children of Othman A. and Elizabeth Abbott. There’s was a home environment that stressed religious independence, education, and general equality. Grace grew up observing her father, a Civil War veteran in court arguing as a lawyer. Her father would later become the first Lt. Governor of Nebraska. Elizabeth, her mother, taught her of the social injustices brought on the Native Americans of the Great Plains. In addition, Grace was taught about the women’s suffrage movement, which her mother was an early leader of in Nebraska. During Grace’s childhood she was exposed to the likes of Pulitzer Prize author Willa Cather who lived down the street from the Abbott’s, and Susan B. Anthony the prominent civil rights leader whom introduced wom...
Esther Reed was one such woman who helped start an organization to help the soldiers who were fighting. Her organization was known as the Philadelphia Association. The Association felt sympathy for the soldiers and decided to take action. They raised money to send to the soldiers, however, George Washington did not approve of this. Instead, the women decided to send warm shirts to the soldiers. They each stitched their names into the shirts they made as a little spirit-raiser to the soldiers out in the cold. The soldiers were reminded that everyone was appreciativ...
One of Harriet’s greatest achievements is that Harriet had worked as a nurse in the civil war. During the Civil war Harriet had worked in a hospital helping wounded soldiers. For four years and hard effort she did not ...