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Join the National Women’s History Museum, the U.S. Mint, The Oswego Town Historical Society and the Oswego County Historical Society on Saturday, June 8 for a celebration of Dr. Mary Edwards Walker.
The free event takes place at 2 p.m. at Oswego High School’s Robinson-Faust Theater, 2 Buccaneer Blvd., Oswego.
A native of Oswego Town, Dr. Walker was a Civil War surgeon, women’s rights activist and abolitionist. She was the second woman to obtain a medical degree in the United States and is the only female recipient (to date) of the U.S. Congressional Medal of Honor.
The event serves to highlight Dr. Walker’s many achievements while also celebrating the release of the Dr. Mary Walker quarter. Dr. Walker was selected by the U.S. Mint as one of five women celebrated in its 2024 American Women Quarters Program, which recognizes the accomplishments and contributions of trailblazing women who have helped shape American history and pave the way for generations to come.
The quarter, which will begin circulation later in June, will be distributed to attendees of the June 8 event while supplies last. The coin shows Dr. Walker holding her pocket surgical kit with the Medal of Honor and surgeon’s pin on her uniform.
A ceremony will be held, which includes the unveiling of Dr. Walker’s quarter, living history interpreters, a performance by Oswego High School student musicians and a panel of distinguished speakers. There will also be a special presentation for Dr. Mary Walker’s descendants, who will be traveling from across the country to attend.
The ceremony will be live streamed for those unable to attend in person. To access the live stream on the day of the event, visit https://www.youtube.com/live/_l4PLVp3ppw.
Many organizations will be in attendance, including the U.S. Army, the Whitman-Walker Foundation, and others. Local, state and federal representatives will also be on hand.
Registration for the free event is required for planning purposes; however, no one will be turned away. To register, visit https://events.womenshistory.org/events/historic-change-dr-mary-edwards-walker/.
