Independence, The True Story of Dr. Mary Walker at Theatre West

Her ordeal as a prisoner of war had lifelong ramifications for her physical well-being, but she did not slow down. If anything, she overcompensated and became busier than ever. A militant believer in the equivalency of men and women, this extended to her appearance: she attired herself in "reform dress," a skirt over trousers, which she wore for comfort and freedom of movement. She was a feminist before the term was coined. Her personal challenges included a philandering husband, sexism from dismissive men, and resentment from women who saw her as competitive. Her life was full of dramatic possibilities, and it is finally the subject of a solo play, Independence, The True Story of Dr. Mary Walker. Suggested for audiences age 10 to Adult.