There are a few reasons why S. Emma E. Edmonds disguised herself as a man. One reason was likely for personal safety and protection. Traveling alone as a woman during that time period could be dangerous, especially considering the lack of rights and opportunities for women. By posing as a man, she may have felt more secure and less vulnerable to potential harm.
Additionally, disguising herself as a man would have allowed Edmonds to have access to roles and opportunities that were otherwise restricted to men. Women during the Civil War era were not typically allowed to serve in the military or have certain jobs that were considered male domains. By assuming a masculine identity, Edmonds was able to navigate through society without the restrictions imposed upon women.
Furthermore, disguising herself as a man may have also been a practical decision in order to earn a living. As a traveling salesman, Edmonds likely recognized that presenting herself as a man would make it easier to gain trust and conduct business transactions in a society where women were not commonly seen in such roles.
Overall, by assuming a male identity, Edmonds was able to overcome societal limitations and carve out a unique path for herself during a time when women's opportunities were profoundly limited.
One memoir about life during the Civil War was written by a woman who led an extraordinary life. S. Emma E. Edmonds was born in Canada in 1841. Treated poorly by her father, she left home and came to America as a teenager. But because she was alone, she did not come as herself. Instead, she arrived in the United States posing as a man, and she maintained her disguise when she began to work as a traveling salesman.
Why would she disguise herself as a man?
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