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This box tells the narrative of women during the Civil War. It's tempting to think that women just sat around waiting for their husbands to return, but life for them was difficult during the war. They had to keep up the home front without the aid of their men, and made many contributions to the war in addition to that. In fact, there isn't one narrative for women during the Civil War. They did not all do the same task or job, but their individual talents and convictions led them in many different directions.

The list of contributions is broad. Women went from being seen as mainly delicate homemakers to being needed to contribute to the war effort, breaking the stereotypical mold of women's work. They worked together to gather and make supplies to send to the armies. Like Dorothea Dix and Clara Barton, many worked as nurses, and Clara Barton started the American Red Cross. Like Harriet Tubman, some acted as spies. Some wrote books and correspondence relating their experiences of the war, like Louisa May Alcott. Brave women like Jennie Hodgers even dressed as men and fought with the army. As you can see, women broke the mold in many ways, and their efforts were great contributions to the Civil War.

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This is relevant because women are underrepresented in social studies. The Civil War affected all Americans, which means that half the people affected were women. To give a balanced account of the war is to tell their side too.

Young girls need to see women's roles in history. There were many brave contributions made by these women, as well as countless others throughout history. When girls see women doing big things, they are more likely to see themselves being able to do big things. Additionally, these women and countless others deserve to be recognized for what they did. The Civil War is their story too.

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Many of these sources go right along with teaching the Civil War. For instance, when teaching about what it was like for soldiers, women soldiers  and spies can be brought up. When discussing the brutal conditions of war, nurses and women working to provide supplies for their soldiers can be described. It's essential to stress that women were an integral part of the war, and not just an addition off to the side.

Showing students real images and texts help bring the war to life. Instead of hearing about brave men and women, they can see them. This helps them visualize what really  happened, and aids in their understanding of events. Asking discussion questions about these sources should only come in conjunction with lessons. On their own, without context, they will not be meaningful.

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Primary Image, Source 12:  Albert Cashier, born Jennie Hodgers, Union Soldier

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Primary Image, Source 12:  Albert Cashier, born Jennie Hodgers, Union Soldier

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1. What might have spurred Hodgers to enlist as a male soldier in the Civil War?
2. How do you think the male soldiers felt about women dressing as males and fighting? How do you think other women felt?
3. Do you think women should have been allowed to fight in the Civil War? Why or why not?

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Primary Image, Source 11: Harriet Tubman

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Primary Image, Source 11: Harriet Tubman

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1. Describe Harriet Tubman's impact on slavery and the Civil War.
2. The US Treasury plans to put Harriet Tubman on the $20 bill. What are your thoughts?
3. Why do you think it has taken so long for her impact to be truly recognized?

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Secondary Video, Source 10: Harriet Tubman, Union Spy

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Secondary Video, Source 10: Harriet Tubman, Union Spy

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1. Harriet Tubman is known for her work on the Underground Railroad. Did you know that she was also a Union spy?
2. What is one new fact about Tubman you learned from this video?
3. How do you think Tubman felt about not receiving fair compensation for her work?

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Primary Text, Source 9: Louisa May Alcott's Little Women

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Primary Text, Source 9: Louisa May Alcott's Little Women

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1. Alcott was a nurse in the Civil War. How might her experiences have shaped her writing?
2. How might women in particular have related to this story?
3. How does this book portray women's roles in the war effort?

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Primary Text, Source 8: Henry C. Work, We'll Go Down Ourselves, 1862

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Primary Text, Source 8: Henry C. Work, We'll Go Down Ourselves, 1862

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1. How were women expected to behave before the Civil War?
2. Does this image defy these expectations?
3. Why do you think women were seen in a new light during the Civil War?

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Primary Text, Source 7: Winslow Homer, “Making Havelocks for the Volunteers" from Harper's Weekly, 1861

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Primary Text, Source 7: Winslow Homer, “Making Havelocks for the Volunteers" from Harper's Weekly, 1861

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1. How does this image portray women at home during the war?
2. Do you think that women sewing have locks for soldiers breaks domestic boundaries of the time? Why or why not?
3. How do you think soldiers felt about their efforts?

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Primary Text, Source 6: Dorothea Dix letter to Friend

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Primary Text, Source 6: Dorothea Dix letter to Friend

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1. In her letter, Dorothea Dix says "Tell anybody who has anything to give to give now. I don't hesitate either to ask or to beg." How did requests like this impact the war effort?
2. Dix was known to aid both Union and Confederate soldiers. What are your thoughts on this?
3. Why do you think that she was so urgent in her letter?

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Secondary Website, Source 5: American Red Cross Website

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Secondary Website, Source 5: American Red Cross Website

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1. Take a tour of the Red Cross Website. What kids of things do they offer today?
2. How is the American Red Cross different today than from the Civil War? How is it the same?
3. What do you think is the most important thing that the Red Cross does?

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Learn about the history of the American Red Cross from Clara Barton, World War I, World II and beyond.

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Primary Text, Source 4: Invitation sent by Clara Barton to discuss establishing a Red Cross chapter in US, 1881

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Primary Text, Source 4: Invitation sent by Clara Barton to discuss establishing a Red Cross chapter in US, 1881

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1. Why is this letter significant?
2. Do you think it took courage for Clara Barton to send this letter? Why or why not?
3. What is something you can do to make a positive change in your community?

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Secondary Video, Source 3: Women in the Civil War

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Secondary Video, Source 3: Women in the Civil War

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1. What is something new that you learned from this video?
2. How might the Civil War have been different if women had not played these roles?
3. Why do you think the roles of women in the Civil War aren't well known?

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Historian Matthew Pinsker presents a quick rundown of women's involvement in the U.S. Civil War.

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Primary Image, Source 2: Annie Bell, Battle of Nashville

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Primary Image, Source 2: Annie Bell, Battle of Nashville

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1. What is your initial impression of nurse Annie Bell?
2. How do you think her presence impacted the war?
3. Describe the impressions of womanhood that Source 1 and Source 2 portray.

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Primary Image, Source 1: Harper's Weekly Cartoon 1857

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Primary Image, Source 1: Harper's Weekly Cartoon 1857

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1. What does this image portray about being a lady?
2. What do you think is the most important thing to the ladies in this photo?
3. Compare the women in this photo to the women in Source 2. What's the same and different?