Nurses

Women served as nurses, providing critical care to wounded soldiers and laying the foundation for modern nursing practices

Domestic Efforts

Managing households and farms

Women managed households and farms in the absence of men, ensuring the logistical support of military operations

Fundraising and political activism

Women organized fundraising events and engaged in political activism, such as the Richmond Bread Riots, to support the war efforts

Direct Engagement in Warfare

Disguising as men to serve as soldiers

In rare instances, women disguised themselves as men to serve as soldiers in the Civil War

Sewing uniforms, organizing supply drives, and making flags

Women contributed to the logistical support of military operations by sewing uniforms, organizing supply drives, and making flags

Support for the Union

African American women provided invaluable support to the Union Army, offering food, shelter, and moral support, and actively recruiting Black men to join the Union forces

Overcoming Challenges

Despite facing racial discrimination and logistical challenges, African American women played a pivotal role in the Civil War and contributed to the Union's efforts

Notable Figures

Women such as Clara Barton and Phoebe Pember played a leading role in the transformation of nursing during the Civil War

Critical Care for Wounded Soldiers

Women provided critical care to wounded soldiers, often under challenging conditions, and their work laid the foundation for modern nursing practices

Using Societal Perceptions to Their Advantage

Women like Harriet Tubman and Belle Boyd used their social positions to gather intelligence for the Union and Confederate armies, respectively

Direct Involvement in Intelligence Gathering

Some women, such as Sarah Edmonds and Loreta Janeta Velazquez, directly participated in intelligence gathering by serving as scouts, spies, and even soldiers in the Civil War