By: Coco Xu
When you think of major historical figures during the American Revolution, who usually comes to mind? Perhaps you remember George Washington, the general of the Continental Army. Perhaps it’s Patrick Henry, famous for his quote “Give me liberty, or give me death!” Or perhaps you recall Paul Revere, who rode horseback in the dead of night to warn nearby soldiers of an impending British attack.
But there are also plenty of courageous heroes who made invaluable contributions to America’s fight for freedom you’ve probably never even heard of. Woman heroes, specifically. As a gender that has been the target of oppression for hundreds of years, it makes sense that they are frequently left out of the history books. Here are the stories of three women who were willing to risk anything for freedom.
- Not Who She Says She Is – Deborah Sampson
Deborah Sampson was born on December 17, 1760. Once the Revolutionary War began, she was hit with a burning desire to serve her country. But because women were barred from becoming soldiers, she signed up under the pseudonym “Robert Shurtleff.” As a soldier, Sampson was no less courageous than her compatriots. Once during a battle, she collapsed due to a gash on her forehead and a bullet in her thigh. Her comrades took her to the surgeon, who treated her forehead wound. However, fearing that her gender might be discovered if she were to let the surgeon treat the wound on her thigh, she snuck out of the tent. Then, gritting her teeth, she drove a knife into her thigh and removed the bullet herself. Her leg never fully recovered. Her identity was finally discovered in 1783, when she was honorably discharged. She died in 1827 at the age of 66. - Stomached Secrets – Emily Geiger
Emily Geiger was born to a friend of General Nathanael Greene. In 1781, Greene discovered that the British General Rawdon planned to retreat to Charleston, and explained to Geiger’s father that he needed to inform General Sumter so that he could muster reinforcements and defeat Rawdon. Knowing her father was crippled and unable to carry the message, Geiger volunteered and set out the next morning. However, a British scout stopped her on the way and sent a matron to search for her. To avoid being discovered, Geiger memorized the message’s contents, ripped it to pieces, and swallowed it. Several hours later, she arrived at General Sumter’s camp and relayed the message to him. The reinforced Continental Army later clashed with British forces at the Eutaw Springs. This battle turned out to be the last major battle of the Revolution in the South. - The Petticoat Code – Anna Smith Strong
Anna Smith Strong, born 1740, was a member of the Culper Spy Ring. Her job was to relay information to Abraham Woodhull, a Culper spy, about where to meet Caleb Brewster, another spy who periodically rows to and from Connecticut to collect intel on British forces. Her method? Petticoats. On her clothesline easily visible by Woodhull and Brewster, she laid out her signals. A black petticoat meant that a message was ready to be picked up, and the number of white petticoats indicated in which cove Woodhull and Brewster would meet. Partially thanks to Strong’s cunning, the ring managed to uncover Benedict Arnold’s notorious plot to betray the Continental Army.
Though underrepresented, these women have written their own chapter in the colorful book of American history that ought never to be forgotten. We must truly learn to appreciate and remember their contributions to create a society where all men – and women – are created equal.