Women Heroes of the US Army: Remarkable Soldiers from the American Revolution to Today

by Ann McCallum Staats

Overview

Though early laws prohibited women from becoming soldiers, many women still found ways to serve, even disguising themselves as men to participate in active battle. Margaret Cochran Corbin joined the continental Army cannon crew after her husband was killed during the Civil War, disguised as "William Cathay." And Charity Adams Earley commanded the first African American battalion of the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps in Europe during World War II. 

Women Heroes of the US Army chronicles the critical role women have played in strengthening the US Army from the birth of the nation to today. These smart, brave, and determined women led the way for future generations to enter, grow and prosper in the forces defending the United States. Through the profiles highlighting the achievements of these trailblazers throughout history, young women today can envision an equitable future.
 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780914091240
Publisher:	Chicago Review Press, Incorporated
Publication date:	07/09/2019
Series:	Women of Action Series , #23
Pages:	240
Sales rank:	1,057,729
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.60(h) x 1.00(d)
Age Range:	12 - 17 Years

About the Author

Ann McCallum Staats is the author of six children's books, including The Secret Life of Math, which won ForeWord's INDIE Gold Book of the Year, and the Eat Your Homework series. She holds a BA in Education from University of Victoria, BC, and an MA in Education from the University of Maryland. She is currently an ESOL high school teacher. She is also a member of SCBWI and the Children’s Book Guild of Washington, DC.

Table of Contents

Introduction vii

Time Line of Major US Military Operations xiii

Part I Early America: The American Revolution and the Civil War 1

Margaret Cochran Corbin: Ready, Aim! 5

Sarah Rosetta Wakeman: A Private Volunteer 16

Cathay Williams: Buffalo Woman 26

Part II The World at War: World War I and World War II 39

Grace Banker: Number, Please 44

Oveta Culp Hobby: The Little Colonel 58

Charity Adams Earley: Letters from Home 72

Margaret KC Yang: Pearl of O'ahu 87

Part III Global Conflict: The Late 20th Century 99

Elizabeth P. Hoisington: Good Old Army 103

Celia Adolphi: Farm Girl to Major General 115

LeAnn Swieczkowski: Petite and Powerful 126

Part IV Current Conflicts: War in Modern Times 141

Mary Hostetler: Citizen Soldier-Rock Steady 144

Stephanie Lincoln: Pretty Good at This Army Thing 158

Leigh Ann Hester: Silver Performer 168

Deborah Kotulich: On the Shoulders of Giants 179

Acknowledgments 191

Glossary 193

Notes 197

Bibliography 207

Index 213

Editorial Reviews

"Ann McCallum Staats brings to life the long-overlooked contributions of women soldiers in the US Army. This handy and engaging little book has earned its place in classrooms and home libraries." —Tanya Biank, author of Undaunted: The Real Story of America's Servicewomen in Today's Military and Lifetime TV's Army Wives


"Women Heroes of the US Army is a testament to the strength and resilience of women. A must-read for any young adult, and a proud addition to my classroom library." —Joy N. Hensley, author of Rites of Passage


"A fascinating, up-to-the minute account." —Rich Wallace, author of First Generation: 36 Trailblazing Immigrants and Refugees Who Make America Great


"Ann McCallum Staats weaves a riveting story, regaling us with facts coupled with a very personal touch. You feel as if you have met every one of the women in this book!" —Phyllis J. Wilson, Chief Warrant Officer 5, US Army (Retired) 


“[A] well-organized, accessible book.” —Booklist Online


"Exceptionally well written, organized and presented." —Midwest Book Review


"An interesting and empowering book."—Alphabet Soup


"The Women of Action series from the Chicago Review Press offers accessible biographies that introduce young adults to courageous and conviction-filled women and girls." — American Spirit

From the Publisher

2019-04-22
The latest in the Women of Action series celebrates female American soldiers of all eras.

From Margaret Cochran Corbin, who was accepted into the Invalid Regiment after taking her cannoneer husband's place and being wounded in a Revolutionary War battle, through the development of the Women's Auxiliary Army Corps during World War II to Leigh Ann Hester, the first woman to receive the Silver Star for combat action, 14 vignettes show how women's participation in the United States Army has become increasingly visible, with women now legally allowed to serve in any position. Staats (Eat Your Science Homework, 2014, etc.) highlights diversity in a few profiles: African American Cathay Williams enlisted in 1866 as a Buffalo soldier, masquerading as a man; Margaret K.C. Yang was a Korean American member of the Women's Army Corp from Hawaii; and Brig. Gen. Deborah L. Kotulich, still serving, is a married lesbian with children. Calling all the women featured in the book heroes, however, is a bit of a stretch—while some undoubtedly were, others' stories are less impressive. The third-person narratives are choppy, uneven, and sometimes repetitive, with confusing nonlinear timelines. Important details are buried in passive-voice sidebars, and the book seems better suited for a younger audience than it's marketed to. Tighter editing would have helped, but the lack of cohesion is disappointing.

For large library collections. (glossary, notes, bibliography, index) (Nonfiction. 10-14)

Kirkus Reviews