Mrs. Walker Teaches

Which statement best expresses the central idea of the text?

• Walker’s refusal to give up the Medal of Honor encouraged the revision of requirements for the award.

• Walker’s active role in women’s rights prompted other women to challenge women’s clothing and gender roles.

• Walker’s accomplishments and views on women’s rights were beyond what many people could accept during her time.

• Walker’s actions as a military surgeon changed how the United States Army viewed women’s participation during times of war

Which detail from the text best supports Walker’s trailblazing beliefs in women’s rights?

• “But Walker, then 84 years old, refused to give it back. She had worn it every day for half a century and would keep wearing it until her death two years later.” ( Paragraph 2)

• “Walker wanted to be comfortable and active. So she wore a coat and trousers, sometimes with a skirt over the pants.” ( Paragraph 5)

• “Walker was hired by the Army as a civilian surgeon and put in charge of a hospital for women prisoners in Kentucky.” ( Paragraph 10)

• “Walker spent the rest of her life promoting women’s rights. She was arrested repeatedly — for dressing like a man.” ( Paragraph 12)

How do the choices that Walker made help readers understand her character?

• They emphasize how strong and resilient Walker was in the face of adversity

• They prove that even Walker was not immune to the hurtful words of others

• They show how disrespect towards women and girls was taught to children

• They demonstrate how unaffected Walker was by the opinions of others

They demonstrate how unaffected Walker was by the opinions of others:

"Mary Edwards Walker was born in 1832 in northcentral New York, the youngest of five sisters. A little brother arrived a year later. Her parents were teachers and had a farm. Her father was also a self-taught doctor. The couple believed that girls and boys should be treated equally. They gave their children good educations and encouraged them to be curious and independent thinkers."

• Because she grew up in a family of mostly girls, Walker dressed and acted like a boy to stand out from the crowd

• Because of her parents’ values, Walker grew up with the courage and determination to stand up for her beliefs

• Because her father was a doctor, Walker was determined to also achieve great success in the field of medicine

• Because of her large family, Walker chose to defy traditional gender roles in order to gain attention

In 5 sentences explain how Walker was a trailblazer by rejecting society's expectations and being different. Use 2 examples from the text to support your opinion.