The Roles Women Played in the American Revolution

Roles Women Played in the American Revolution

How many historical figures of the American Revolution do you remember studying in school? Women are not readily mentioned in history for the vital roles they played in the Revolutionary War, but women not only fought, they served as spies and camp followers while others kept their family businesses, homes, and family farms going while the men were away fighting. There is very little in the history books that cover the contribution that women have made toward American independence. This essay will discuss the various roles that women played in the war.

Women took up various roles and responsibilities during the revolution to support the cause. Some women fought as soldiers’ right alongside the men. They fought as fiercely as the men fought. Some women fought intentionally while others decided to fight out of a reaction to their situation. Margaret Corbin, Mary Hays, and Deborah Sampson are a few examples.

Margaret Corbin fought bravely alongside her husband John Corbin. She was a camp follower that earned money by cooking and washing clothes. She also nursed wounded and ill men back to health. On November 16, 1776 she followed her husband into battle. When her husband and his partner were killed, Margaret courageously took over firing the cannon. This battle was lost, but Corbin’s cannon was the last cannon to stop firing. Nguyen (n.d.), “Actuated by the most glorious cause that mankind every fought in, I am to defend this post to the very last extremity” (Para. 1). These words were spoken by Corbin and they testify of her courage and determination. She was found severely wounded, her arm almost completely severed. Her bravery did not go un-rewarded; she was the first women to receive a military pension and the only woman to be buried at West Point Cemetery (Lieberman, 1999).

Mary Hays was a camp follower serving as a water carrier. She received the nickname Molly Pitcher for...