Women In History | EssayIvy.com

Surname 1

Student’s Name

Professor’s Name

Course

Date

Women in History

Introduction

Even today, there are people who tend to underestimate the role played by women in the

war, just like in the early American society. This assertion is particularly relevant to the case of

the American Revolutionary War. In the victory of the Americans against the British during this

warfare, the women essentially played a critical part. They helped in a number of ways and saved

lived of the injured soldiers (Foner 245). In essence, the absence of women would certainly lead

to a great loss, bearing in mind the responsibility they undertake during the war. Generally,

women never fought in the revolution. Their customary standing during the eighteenth century

never allowed them to take part fully in the debates revolving around the revolution. In their own

sphere and at times out of it, however, they fully offered their contribution in a manner allowed

by their customs and status. The contemporary women play significant roles in warfare and other

societal events.

Women in Early American History

Women in early American history contributed in War by offering nursing services to the

fighting soldiers. This particularly happened in the American Revolution. Even though nurses

had lesser roles during the early days, their responsibility in the war grew more and more

predominant in the year 1777. In keeping with Foner (232), a number of the nurses were just

Surname 2

followers of the camp; they were mothers, daughters, and wives of the male fighters. The women

who became the nurses followed the soldiers in pursuit of protection and food since they were no

longer in a capacity to support themselves owing to the departure or death of the men from the

battleground. Even as surgeon mates and surgeons carried out a great deal of the expert medical

tasks, female nurses performed custodial undertakings in most cases. They bathed and fed

patients, cooked occasionally, cleaned hospital wards, and emptied chamber pots. Consistent

with The Washington, female nurses usually surfaced with new discoveries, which helped in the

treatment and care of the injured soldiers. Notwithstanding the opportunity for pay and food,

most females were unwilling to take jobs as nurses because the rate of immorality in hospitals for

the caregivers and the sick was remarkably high. Nevertheless, some women never shied off

from the job and took their role as nurses irrespective of the risk. A good example of such

women is Mary Waters. Mary was a native of the Dublin who immigrated in the year 1766 to

Philadelphia. She later acquired a job as an army nurse following the break out of the war. Mary

Pricely was another famous nurse who helped during the revolutionary war by serving in the

colonial warships. For instance, in the year 1977, she worked in the Defense ship. According to

Foner (237), thirty nurses and seven matrons served in seven hospitals in the military and cared

for more than four thousand men. Following termination of the war, the care of patients reverted

to surgeon mates and regimental surgeons with special support from military laundresses and

wives.

The woman also acted as maids, cooks, and seamstresses during the American

Revolution. As noted by Foner (191), some women were seamstresses, water bearers,

laundresses, maids, and cooks for the army in the time of the Revolutionary War. It was the very

first time in history that women performed such jobs taking into consideration the fact that such

Surname 3

undertakings were reserved for soldiers of the male sexual category. More like the positions in

the nursing jobs, the United States army usually hired the several camp followers of the female

gender to take these responsibilities. The majority of these women were underprivileged

daughters, mothers, and wives who were familiar with doing housework and, therefore, they fit

perfectly for the jobs. Margaret Corbin was one of these female camp followers. She was from

Philadelphia and followed John, his husband, to the camp. Therein, she got a job as a matross in

the First Company of the Pennsylvania Artillery. The Washington (3) defines a matross as a

person who fires and loads cannons. In November 1776, for the period of the Fort Washington

Battle Margaret Corbin followed her man to the battleground where he met his sudden death.

Considering the unmanned circumstance of his cannon, Margaret Corbin occupied his position

and carried on to fire until that time she also met her suffering. She was apprehended following

the loss of the colonists in the war and the arresters later released her. Surprisingly, Corbin made

history in the Revolutionary War by becoming the first woman in service to get a pension.

Several women as well helped as spies throughout the American Revolution, even though

it remains unknown their exact number. In line with Foner (367), the majority of these women

who worked as spies as well as well were maids and cooks for the American and British military

camps. These emissaries snooped on talks about the movement of the troops, the plans of the

military, deliveries, and supply shortages. Because the battles took place on the streets of many

cities, as well as the farms and the yards of various American’s homes, these female infiltrators

conveyed the supplies and messages they gathered easily to the adjacent farms and houses

without discovery.

Surname 4

Current Events for Women in American Society

Today, joining the military and warfare is approved for women. Most of the females have

acquired jobs not only as underground soldiers but also as reputable public servants (The

Washington 5). Unlike the times when women camouflaged as men by adopting masculine

names, binding their breasts using strappings, and cutting their hair, today they are free to seek

for roles in the military, as well as talk about important issues regarding the national security

without hiding identity. Women currently join the armies with an extensive range of

opportunities. They do so to fight for the peace and prosperity of their nation, as well to earn

income for their families without depending on their husbands entirely. Women across societies,

including Europe, Africa, and Asia have increasingly gained equality in economic, social, and

political dimensions (Randolph and Suzy Part 2). After the Second World War, women became

vital members of societies, engaging in industrial labor, ventured into political positions, and

pursued professional courses, such as doctors, writers, and business leaders.

From a historical viewpoint, women have made vast developments in their roles from

holding political positions to serving as warriors. The American society currently provides a case

study of female figures representing the community in military duties. Randolph and Suzy (Part

2) contend that modern women appear as heroes because they serve as leaders, in the military

and political positions, and are usurpers of rightful heir. In fact, women in American societies

possess and manage properties in addition to presiding over their individual legal matters. They

also constitute a significant part of the society and hold positions traditionally considered for the

male. On this note, they influence power in many countries.

Surname 5

Conclusion: Consistencies of the Events

On the losing end, the roles discussed herein are just some of the various ways the

females contributed in the Early American History, as well as in the current American society.

The truth is that unlike in the past, the contribution of women has significantly grown in matters

of warfare. One of the roles that women played in the early American society is that of being

spies. Today, women also contribute as spies and detectives in the military, though they do it

without camouflaging as it happened before. Current women step out of the security and safety

of their customary responsibilities in culture and jeopardize their lives by serving their nation in

the war. They are even acknowledged and waged for their sacrifices with soldierly pay and

pensions, contrary to what transpired in the past (The Washington 5). Women help in many ways

and save lives during warfare. Actually, the absence of women would certainly lead to a great

loss, in view of the responsibility they undertake during the war.

Surname 6

Works Cited

Foner, Eric. Give Me Liberty!: An American History. , 2017.

Randolph, Ryan P, and Suzy Myers. Betsy Ross: The American Flag, and Life in a Young

America. Grand Haven, Mich: Brilliance Audio, 2011. Sound recording.

The Washington P. Abc News/washington Post Poll, February 2018. Ann Arbor, Mich: Inter-

university Consortium for Political and Social Research [distributor, 1988.

Place new order. It's free, fast and safe

Paper type

Deadline

Page count

550 words

Total price: $ 15.00

Our customers say

Jeff Curtis

USA, Student

"I'm fully satisfied with the essay I've just received. When I read it, I felt like it was exactly what I wanted to say, but couldn’t find the necessary words. Thank you!"

Ian McGregor

UK, Student

"I don’t know what I would do without your assistance! With your help, I met my deadline just in time and the work was very professional. I will be back in several days with another assignment!"

Shannon Williams

Canada, Student

"It was the perfect experience! I enjoyed working with my writer, he delivered my work on time and followed all the guidelines about the referencing and contents."