Women who Fought in Battle

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Throughout history women have been underestimated. Society as a whole is patriarchal, and even though women have mead great strides in gaining equality, there are still crimes and prejudice against women. Women are capable of great feats, if they are given a chance. Some women ignored all social standards and managed to accomplish incredible things that changed the course of history.
Women who fought in battle are not an uncommon concept. There are stories from ancient history that shows that a woman participating in battle was not completely forbidden. The Amazons were a mythic race of warrior women who appear in Greek texts. They are even mentioned in several of Homer’s epic poems. These women were the antithesis of the typical Greek woman; they practiced archery and swordplay, and they lived away from civilized society. It is a common theme for the Amazons to be subjugated and dominated by men, and scholars view this theme as the evolution from matriarchy to patriarchy (Reinhard).
Another myth that portrayed women as warriors is the tale of the Valkyries. The Valkyries are found in Norse mythology, particularly in the Eddas (epic poems). The Valkyries were warrior-maidens and servants of the god Odin. They rode through battle following g Odin’s commands, which brought victory or defeat. They also selected the warriors who were deemed worthy enough to enter Valhalla. The Valkyries may symbolize the Norsemen’s view of a perfect woman- a woman who is “brave and independent,” but also “beautiful and willing to be a servant to men” (Valkyries).
Not every female warrior was mythical. Joan of Arc is possibly the most famous female warrior. But there were many others who do not receive recognition for their accomplishments. An e...

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...he Queen of Georgia.
Roscoe, W. (2010, November 3). Lozen Apache Warrior and Medicine
Woman. Will's World. Retrieved April 2, 2014, from http://www.willsworld.org/lozen/lozen.html
Roscoe explains the life and importance of Lozen in the form of a detailed PowerPoint.
Jennie Hodgers, aka Private Albert Cashier (n.d.). National Park Service.
Retrieved April 2, 2014, from http://www.nps.gov/resources/story.htm?id=187
Jennie Hodgers dressed as a man in order to join the Union army. Her secret remained undetected throughout the entire war, and was discovered only after she had returned to Illinois.
Paul, L. (2009, May 24). In Civil War, Woman Fought Like a Man for Freedom.
National Public Radio. Retrieved April 2, 2014, from http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=104452266
This article discusses Jennie Hodgers, aka Albert Cashier and her place in history.

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