Reading I Could Not Do Otherwise: The Remarkable Life of Dr. Mary Edwards Walker was my first encounter with this courageous, uninhibited, and determined individual. This book, written by Sara Latta, is a biography written for young adults that takes the reader back to a time and place when expectations for women were very different. Some would say that Dr. Walker lived a life “outside of her time,” but I wonder if this is entirely true. Thinking of our current times, I know that there are many people who wish they had been born in a more accepting time period. However, Dr. Walker is an example of someone who simply refused to be pushed to the margins of society. She was determined that during her time in this world, she would live her life.
Mary Edwards Walker was born in New York in 1832. She grew up on a farm and was expected to help, so wearing a corset, a petticoat, or a hoopskirt, was out of the question. This was just the beginning of her battle against the norms of fashion. Mary went to medical school at a time when this was extremely unusual for women and when the Civil War began, she decided that she would serve as a doctor for Union Army soldiers. Serving as a doctor, and not a nurse, was considered outrageous to many, as was her “reform dress” that included pants under a skirt. But even if Mary became slightly discouraged by those who stood in her path (including many suffragettes), she always found a way to do what she intended.
Sara Latta does a remarkable job of bringing to life the people and places of this time period in a way that will engage young readers. Mary’s voice, passion, and stubborn persistence come through so strongly that sometimes it feels like she is standing right there. The frequent paintings and photographs included throughout the book only add to this feeling.
In a time when many women were discouraged from having opinions at all, Mary never let her voice be silenced. People would say horrible things about her appearance, but she refused to change the way she dressed. I can’t imagine that this was easy, but it was reformers like Mary who led the way for greater freedom for future generations. In this time, when those who are “different” are being legislated out of our schools and libraries, remembering people like Mary becomes even more important.
Learning for Justice Social Justice Standards:
Diversity 7: I can accurately and respectfully describe ways that people (including myself) are similar to and different from each other and others in their identity groups.
Justice 15: I know about some of the people, groups, and events in social justice history and about the beliefs and ideas that influenced them.
