Cathay Williams: Black Women's Secret Soldier

Cathay Williams: Black Women's Secret Soldier

Author: King Kurus, Griot of Black & African History July 3, 2019 Duration: 1:35
Black History Buff: Uncovering Untold Stories
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Show Notes: 

To tide you over while Im researching and writing longer episodes I've created a new segment called Black History blitz. Short, bite sized and fun, like any good snack its best when shared with friends, so tell your friends about it. 

Today's Black history Blitz is about Cathy Williams. The first African American Woman to enlist in the United States Army and the only one we know about who did so posing as a man!! 

  • Williams was born in Independence, Missouri September 1844 and lived until 1893
  • As a teen, Williams worked as a house slave on the outskirts of Jefferson City, Missouri.
  • Despite there being a ban against women serving in the military, Cathay Williams enlisted in the Army under the false name of "William Cathay" on November 15, 1866, passing herself off as a man. 
  • She was assigned to the 38th United States Infantry Regiment after she passed a Brief medical examination.
  • She was only discovered when a surgeon treating her for injuries realised she was a woman 
  • She was discharged from the Army on October 14, 1868. After having served for nearly 3 years 
  • In 2016, a bronze bust of Cathay Williams was unveiled outside the Richard Allen Cultural Center in Leavenworth, Kansas 

Cathy Williams, we salute you! 

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The Black History Buff Podcast, hosted by King Kurus, is your gateway to the untold stories of Black history. From African Samurai and pistol-wielding poets to revolutionaries like Fred Hampton and Angela Davis, each episode dives deep into the rich and thrilling history of the *African Diaspora*. We go beyond the textbooks, covering everything from the ancient kingdoms of *African History* to the American *Civil Rights movement* and the trailblazers of *Black British history*. More than just a podcast, this show is a bridge connecting Black communities to the past, offering powerful stories that enlighten, empower, and inspire.
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