Heroine Names: A Memorial Day salute
When Memorial Day—then called Decoration Day—was first observed on May 30, 1868 to honor and decorate the graves of the Civil War dead, much of the impetus for it came from women—particularly in the South. It was a woman poet who conceived the idea of wearing poppies on Memorial Day to honor those who died serving the nation during war.
Over the years, though, the emphasis has been on the brave G.I. Joes who sacrificed their lives. But we’re here to say that there were many equally courageous women who played their parts in and out of the military—as soldiers (sometimes disguised as men—we have to assume they didn’t have to pass a physical), battlefield nurses, scouts and guides, spies (many), messengers and couriers.
Here are the heroine names (including a few unusual ones) of some of the outstanding women who served from the Revolutionary War to World War II—worthy namesakes all.
Amabel Scharff Roberts—World War I
Anne Hennis Trotter Bailey –Revolutionary War—sometimes known as “Mad Anne” for her recklessness
Beatrice Guilden Byerly—Revolutionary War
Cathay Williams, aka William Cathay—Civil War
Clara Barton (born Clarissa Harlowe) – Civil War
Edith Greenwood—World War II
Ellen May Tower—Spanish-American War
Frances Slanger—World War II
Hannah Harringon Clark—Revolutionary War
Harriet Tubman—Civil War
Irene Robar—World War I
Jacqueline Cochran—World War II
Jane Rignel—World War I
Jennie Hodgers, aka Albert Cashier—Civil War
Linnie Leckrone—World War I
Loreta Janeta Velazquez , aka Lt. Harry Buford—Civil War
Lucy Brewer, aka George Baker,–War of 1812
Margaret Cochran Corbin—Revolutionary War (the first woman to receive a government pension as a disabled soldier)
Martha McFarlane McGee Bell—Revolutionary War
Maud Fitch—World War I
Pauline Cushman—Civil War
Sarah Borginis—Mexican-American War
Sarah Emma Edmonds, aka Franklin Thompson—Civil War
Sarah Rosetta Wakeman—Civil War
Virginia Roush d’Albert–Lake—World War II
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Wishing you all a wonderful Memorial Day weekend!