Women have been part of the creation of this country since its inception in the 1700s. They did not have the right to vote, however, they did have the faith in the freedom this new country was going to provide for its citizens. The five women I am proud to introduce to you did their part in helping this nation in their own special ways.

MARGARET COCHRAN CORBIN

During the Revolutionary War, women were allowed to travel with their husbands. While John Corbin worked as a gunner for the First Company of the Pennsylvania Artillery, his wife Margaret, known as Molly, cooked, did laundry and tended to the wounded. When John was shot and killed a grief stricken Molly took his place at the cannon. She was wounded during the battle and almost lost her left arm. For her bravery she was the first women to receive a lifetime pension form the United States government. She lived near West Point, New York and her nickname was "Captain Molly"

MARY LUDWIG HAYS

There was another Molly who became quite famous for her help to the soldiers. During the battle of Monmouth, New Jersey, the temperature rose so high that the soldiers were collapsing. They would yell out for water. As the story goes the men would cry out, "Water! Over here, Molly!...Molly! Pitcher!" It is said that this was how the name Molly Pitcher was born. During the battle her husband was wounded and taken away from his post. Molly took his place by the cannon until he was able to return to his job. Molly then returned to her job of carrying water and caring for the wounded men. When George Washington heard of her heroics he went to speak to her and made her a sergeant.

DEBORAH SAMPSON GANNETT

This 21 year old, five foot seven woman could not sit by and not be part of the action of the War. Deborah dressed herself in man's clothing and enlisted in the Fourth Massachusetts regiment of the Continental army under the name of Robert Shurtleff. When she was wounded she hid her wounds and even tried to remove the bullet from her leg by herself. The bullet remained in her leg and she kept her secret until she was examined while she suffered from a high fever and became delirious. The doctor noticed the tight bandage she had wrapped around her chest and her true identity was discovered. In 1783 Private Robert Shurtleff was honorably discharged from the United States Army.

SYBIL LUDINGTON

Not all women fought on the battlefields, yet in 1777 a very brave sixteen year old girl became known as the "female Paul Revere".. The British were headed to burn a supply center in Connecticut and Colonel Henry Ludington needed to prepare the volunteer army for battle. Sybil had to convince her father that she could gallop over rough crossroads at night to summon up the men. She traveled through the night and called out, "The British are burning Danbury! Come right, away!" Once she completed her run, she returned to her warm bed knowing she did her job.

PENELOPE PAGETT BARKER

Picture 51 women all dressed in their finery having tea at the Barker home in Edenton, North Carolina. These women signed a petition written by Penelope stating that they would not drink the British tea and they refused to buy cloth from England. Once they signed their names to this petition and sent it to King George, they did put their lives in jeopardy. These women did not want to hide their identity as did the men of the Boston Tea Party, they wanted their names known and their affiliation with the "Edenton Tea Party" to be recognized.

Years ago these heroes and many other brave women were never given credit for their contributions to the creation of the United States. It is now time to include these brave people into our history books.

Learn more about this author, Felicia Arnold.
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