Mary J. Safford - Cairo, IL
Posted by: YoSam.
N 37° 00.199 W 089° 10.416
16S E 306597 N 4097448
One of the first female physicians.
Waymark Code: WMWJ48
Location: Illinois, United States
Date Posted: 09/10/2017
Views: 1
County of marker: Alexander County
Location of marker: 17th St. & Washington Ave., library lawn, Cairo
Marker erected by: Egyptian Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution
Date erected: April 22, 1961
Marker Text:
MARY J. SAFFORD
"Cairo's Angel"
1831 - 1891
First woman in the west to organize camp and hospital relief. Under Gen. Grant's personal command Mary Safford tended the wounded at the Battles from Belmont to Shiloh 1861 - 1862. Returning with the casualties by boat to Cairo. Being injured in service, she was forced to retire after Shiloh. Later she became one of the first women physicians on her day.