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SWAN Honors Women Who Fought For America’s Independence

07/02/11-by Bridgette P. LaVictoire

When author Terry Pratchett first approached his editor about the idea of a group of young women dressing up as men and joining the army of their homeland, the editor was less than impressed because, well, the idea sounds rather more absurd than usual for the Discworld. Of course, Pratchett was on the right side of historical knowledge there. The novel Monstrous Regiment was released in 2003 and centers around Polly Perks and a small band of women who go off to fight her nation’s enemies. In order to do this, they have dressed themselves as men.

Ok, people may be wondering what that has to do with the price of eggs here…right now, there are those who would like to see women fight on the front lines, and the usual run of reason are being given for why women can’t. However, in honor of 4 July, the Servicewomen’s Action Network or SWAN, executive director Aun Bhagwati issued the following statement with regards to the women who have served on the front lines of America’s military dating all the way back to 1776.

Those who believe women should not be on the frontlines because they don’t have the chutzpah, skills, strength or stamina to fight not only haven’t been reading the news about Iraq and Afghanistan these days, they also don’t know US history. Women have always fought for our country – even on the frontlines.

Margaret Corbin was one of those women. On November 16, 1776, Fort Washington, right here in Manhattan, was attacked by Hessian and British troops. Margaret’s husband, John Corbin, was killed while manning a cannon. Without hesitation, Margaret continued loading and firing the cannon until she was seriously wounded, taking enemy fire to her jaw, chest and arm. The British took her prisoner, but spared her life.

To honor her courageous service during the American Revolution, Margaret later was inducted into the Continental Army. She also became the first woman to receive a pension for her disabilities (one-half of a soldier’s pay!)

Now if that isn’t an inspiring story, I don’t know what is.

It’s fascinating that our nascent country was willing to honor a woman for her battlefield prowess two hundred and twenty-some odd years ago with accolades and government benefits, but that today, ideologues are preventing women from doing the same thing.

SWAN received a number of crisis calls from active duty women on our National Peer Support Helpline this week, including several stationed overseas. We honor their bravery and are thinking of them and their families on this holiday weekend.

Wishing you a safe and happy 4th of July,

Aun Bhagwati