Women: The Role Of Women In The Civil War

WOMAN OF THE CIVIL WAR
There have been many strong, intelligent women throughout our country’s history. Unfortunately, many have often gone unnoticed, undocumented or their accomplishments often overshadowed by their male counterparts. Some of them were homemakers, some were nurses, some served as spies, soldiers, daughters, sisters, mothers, etc. but all of them had one thing in common. They all contributed in the help of shaping our nation, and without these women our country would not have been the same. Their contributions made a great impact in the development of our nation, often unrecognized or undermined, they made a voice for themselves and proved that woman could indeed do more outside of the confines of their homes.
The 19th
Woman played a certain role in society and were expected to fulfill that role. Woman did not have access to as many opportunities as the men did, their jobs normally revolved around their families and housework. Leading up to the Civil war, the owning of slaves in the South was deemed acceptable despite having free states at the time. It was a time where many were fighting for the injustices that they or others were facing. During that time society was not always fair, despite many that may argue that it still is not today, it was a period well known for slavery. The outcome of the civil war would not only determine the future of slavery but it would also determine the future shaping of our nation as a whole. The majority of the North was anti-slavery, our President at the time Abraham Lincoln was also from the North, when he was elected
Their accomplishments however were not emphasized as greatly when compared to their male Not all woman fought in the war, but many contributed to the cause. When the outbreak of the war began many men and woman volunteered to fight for the cause. Some woman in the North organized ladies aid society’s, where they would gather materials or necessities for the union soldiers. From baked home made goods the woman made, to vegetable and fruit gardens they grew and canned for them, to even clothing that they sewed and knitted for them ranging from hats, gloves, blankets, pillowcases, etc. they provided all they could and more. Even organizing fundraisers to raise money for medical equipment and supplies that the troops needed, woman contributed in many and in any ways that they possibly could depending on if their situation allowed but there were many women that wanted to accomplish greater. 1 In June 1861, the federal government agreed to create the “United States Sanitary Commission” its primary objective was to combat diseases and infections by improving conditions for the men in camps and hospitals. This in turn provided opportunities for woman who wanted to help, allowing woman to become matrons, cooks, nurses, and laundresses. 2Dorothea Lynde Dix for instance, was the superintendent of Army nurses, she put out a call for responsible, mature, maternal volunteers who would not distract the troops or behave in inappropriate ways around them.