‘Independence: The True Story of Dr. Mary Walker’ Takes the Stage

OSWEGO COUNTY – The Oswego County Historical Society (OCHS) and the Oswego County Dr. Mary Edwards Walker Celebratory Committee remind Central New Yorkers that it’s not too late to learn about the importance of this local trailblazer who, among other things, is the only woman to receive a U.S. Congressional Medal of Honor.

The Oswego High School Drama Club hosts this fascinating one-woman show as a fundraiser for its activities. “Independence” starts at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5 at the school’s Robinson-Faust Theater, 2 Buccaneer Blvd., Oswego. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students/youth and there is a small service fee for credit card pre-sales. Cash is accepted at the door if there are remaining tickets. Go to https://ohsdrama.ticketleap.com/drwalker/ to purchase tickets.

Another show is planned for 7 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 7 at the Half-Shire Historical Society, 1100 Co. Rte. 48, Richland. Admission is free, although donations to the Half-Shire Historical Society are welcomed and light refreshments will be served. Reservations are not required but may be made by email to Shawn Doyle at [email protected].

OCHS was able to secure a grant from New York State Council on the Arts to help cover the production’s greatest costs, such as travel and accommodations which allowed for a series of performances and workshops to be held in schools and other locations at a reduced cost. Additional support came from the New York State Governor, the New York State Legislature and the Oswego County Legislature.

Written by Lloyd J. Schwartz and featuring actress Kathie Barnes, “Independence: The True Story of Dr. Mary Walker” tells the story of one of the most significant individuals in 19th century America.

Born in Oswego Town in 1832, Dr. Mary Edwards Walker was the second woman in the United States to get a medical degree as a surgeon before serving in the U.S. Civil War, for which she was awarded the Medal of Honor. She was a trailblazer for women’s rights, campaigning for equality of the sexes, especially a woman’s right to vote and to wear pants.

To this day, Dr. Mary Walker remains an inspiration to students; especially girls, who sometimes still need to feel equal to boy students in STEM subjects like math and science.

To learn more about Dr. Mary Walker, visit the Oswego County Historical Society at the Richardson-Bates House Museum, 135 E. Third St., Oswego, N.Y. or the Oswego Town Historical Society Museum, 2320 Co. Rte. 7, Oswego, N.Y.

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