Sara Emma Edmonds Seelye

March is Women's History Month!

One of Michigan's most celebrated women is Sara Emma Edmonds Seelye.  Sara's courageous story begins with her desire to help the Union cause in the Civil War.  This desire led her to disguise herself as Private Franklin Thompson and to serve in the Second Michigan Infantry.  The Archives of Michigan holds two of the most famous images of Sara, a carte de visite of herself and one of her as Private Franklin Thompson.  The Archives also holds written correspondence from Sara to the State Adjutant General requesting recognition for her service in the Second Infantry.  The Library of Michigan's collection includes the book "Nurse Spy" by Elizabeth D. Leonard and "She Rode with Generals" by Sylvia G.L. Dannett. Sara's story is one of several interesting women's stories found in the Archives of Michigan.  Please review our circular/pathfinder on women's records or search the Department of History, Arts, and Libraries online collection catalog.  Archives of Michigan staff can also be contacted by E-mail at archives@michigan.gov

Researchers may also want to visit the National Women's History Month website.

-Mark Harvey, State Archivist
E-mail: harveym@michigan.gov

Click Archives of Michigan to visit the Archives of Michigan home page.

Click Image of the Month Archives for other archived image pages.

Archives of Michigan
Michigan Library and Historical Center
702 W. Kalamazoo Street
Lansing, MI 48913
Phone: (517) 373-1408
E-mail: archives@michigan.gov

Updated 04/21/2009

Michigan Historical Center, Department of History, Arts and Libraries
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