Podcast appearances and mentions of william cathay

Want to be a guest or know someone would be a great fit? I am looking for military vets, active duty, military brats, veteran service orgs or anyone in the fitness industryUnlock the untold stories of trailblazers who defied the odds. Get ready to be inspired by Cathay Williams, a woman whose courage and determination broke barriers in the 1800s by becoming the first African-American woman to enlist in the United States Army. Taking on the guise of a man under the name William Cathay, she bravely faced the challenges of military life in an all-Black regiment, all while keeping her true identity hidden. Her remarkable journey is a testament to her resilience and strength, highlighting the historical invisibility of women veterans, particularly women of color, in military history.Beyond Cathay's incredible story, we reflect on the broader struggles and achievements of women throughout history who have been overlooked and underappreciated. From fighting for financial independence to securing basic rights, these narratives are reminders of the persistence and bravery of female pioneers across generations. As we celebrate Black History Month, this episode encourages listeners to honor these trailblazers and recognize the paths they forged that continue to impact our lives today. Tune in to remember that no matter how impossible the road seems, it's never too late to chart a new course.Support the show

Many thanks to Commander BJ Farrell for your service, ongoing support and leadership to your sailors and to everyone you meet here in Boston. Best of luck back at the Naval Academy, mentoring the many lucky students ahead.Special thanks to the USS Constitution Public Affairs Officer, First Class Ray Minami, for all your help and support of Home Base. Thanks to the great crew at the MGH Photography lab too and please note you can find this conversation on Home Base's YouTube channel soon.Home Base Nation will be sharing episodes over two weeks up through the Run To Home Base this coming July 27th. Please sign up to join us there to support all veteran, servicemember and family care, and as we celebrate women in the military this year. If this is your first time joining us, welcome -Home Base Nation is the official podcast for Home Base Program for Veteran and Family Care, in Charlestown Navy Yard in Boston, MA. Every two weeks we share conversations and stories about service, mental health, and recovery with great military and civilian guests. We are over 100 episodes since the start, a few months prior to the pandemic on Veterans Day 2019.Home Base continues to grow in terms of care, awareness and research, working with veterans and active duty servicemembers across the US and from several other countries. Our programs are continuing to expand right here in Boston, in Florida, Arizona and more news to come.Here are a few 2024 highlights around Home Base since January. Many great things happening, but here are just a few…-Arizona State University hosted a successful launch party in Phoenix to announce our partnership to deliver Warrior Health and Fitness on the university's Downtown Phoenix campus beginning this month.-Patriots long snapper Joe Cardona, received the NFL's prestigious Salute to Service Award, to those supporting the Military community. Joe is a lieutenant in the Navy Reserves and came by Home Base to take a tour and talk about the needs of servicemembers and veterans. -Home Base Florida's Air Force Veteran Angie De Lima and Marine Veteran Jaime Fernandez participated in workshops in Puerto Rico for veterans and families, and Jaime delivered content from our Resilient Warrior program in Spanish!-Just last month, Senator Elizabeth Warren invited Spaulding Rehabilitation President and Home Base Chief of TBI Dr. Ross Zafonte to testify to the Senate Armed Forces Committee about the impacts of TBI and blast exposure on active-duty Special Operations Forces.We wanted to highlight just a few of the many women who have served and have made history along the way…General Ann E. Dunwoody: In 1992, General Dunwoody was the first female battalion commander of the 82nd Airborne Division, and the first female in US Military history to be promoted to four-star general .Navy Flight Nurse Jane Kendeigh (Ken-dee): At Iwo Jima in 1945, Jane Louise ‘Candy' Kendeigh, was one of 122 women with specialized training, not only caring for battlefield wounds, but direct hand-to-hand combat.Army soldier Cathay Williams: Was the first African American female soldier to enlist in the Army – in 1866 and the only documented black woman to serve in the 19th century, serving with the 38th infantry regiment, or the Buffalo the soldiers – joining under her pseudonym, William Cathay.---Home Base Nation is the official podcast for Home Base Program for Veterans and Military Families – Our team sees veterans, servicemembers and their families addressing the invisible wounds of war at no cost. This is all made possible thanks to a grateful nation – And if you want to learn more on how you can help, visit us at www.homebase.org, or if you or anyone you know would like to connect to care, you can also reach us at 617-724-5202.Theme music for Home Base Nation: "Rolling the Tree" by The Butler FrogsFollow Home Base on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedInThe Home Base Nation Team is Steve Monaco, Army Veteran Kelly Field, Justin Scheinert, Chuck Clough, with COO Michael Allard, Brigadier General Jack Hammond, and Peter Smyth.Producer and Host: Dr. Ron HirschbergAssistant Producer, Editor: Chuck CloughChairman, Home Base Media Lab: Peter SmythThe views expressed by guests to the Home Base Nation podcast are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by guests are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the view of the Massachusetts General Hospital, Home Base, the Red Sox Foundation or any of its officials.

In 1843, Cathay Williams was born to an enslaved woman and a free black man, ironically in Independence, Missouri. It is hard to know an exact day, because records were not kept for the birth of slaves, and if you were born to an enslaved woman, you were born property. Cathay's childhood was spent on the outskirts of Jefferson City, Missouri, working for years as a house slave on the plantation of a wealthy planter by the name of Johnson.   Union forces took over Jefferson City in the early stages of the Civil War. Slaves were released and persuaded to serve in voluntary military support roles.   Captured slaves within Union lines were officially designated as contraband. When we say contraband today, usually the first thought would be illicit drugs, or something else forbidden. But back then, humans were labeled Illegal goods, “contraband.”  Over 400 women served in the Civil War posing as male soldiers. Today we are talking about  Cathay Williams, the only known female Buffalo Soldier. Williams was not only the first black woman to enlist, but the only documented woman to serve in the United States Army, while disguised as a man, during the Indian Wars. She was a pioneer for the thousands of American women serving in armed forces in the United States today.   Season 3 features inspiring, gallant, even audacious stories of REAL 19th Century women from the Wild West.  Stories that contain adult content, including violence which may be disturbing to some listeners, or secondhand listeners. So, discretion is advised. I am Andrea Anderson and this is Queens of the Mines, Season Three.   As contraband, Cathay was taken to Little Rock by Col. Benton of the 13th army corps and “pressed” into serving. She did not want to go. Benton wanted her to cook for the officers, so Cathay learned the skill. At 17, her role as an Army cook and washerwoman under the service of Union General Philip Sheridan took her all over the country. She saw the soldiers burn lots of cotton. During these travels, Williams was at Shreveport when the rebel gunboats were captured and burned on Red River, and witnessed Comanche, Kiowa, Southern Cheyenne, and Arapaho tribes relocated to reservations during the Red River campaign in Texas. She was there for the  Shenandoah Valley raids in Virginia, and saw the union defeat the Confederates, despite being outnumbered at the Battle of Pea Ridge in Fayetteville Ar. The work brought her to Iowa, Louisiana, Georgia and back home to her home state of Missouri. The lure of independence was undeniably attractive to a female young, unmarried former slave. So, in St. Louis, Missouri, she voluntarily enlisted for a three-year engagement in the U.S. army on November 15, 1866, this time to fight. Despite the prohibition against women serving in the military. The recruiter described her as William Cathay, a 5′ 9″ tall male with black eyes, black hair and black complexion. But in actuality, she was the first black female soldier to enlist with the Army. Only 4 months after Congress passed a law authorizing the formation of six all-black army units, after the Union Army had seen the value of black soldiers in the military and thought they should have the opportunity to join the peacetime army.  You would think an Army surgeon should have been able to identify Williams as a woman during the cursory examination, but the Army didn't require full medical exams then.     Williams said, “The regiment I joined wore the Zouave uniform,” which was  a distinctive jacket, vest, sash, baggy trousers, and fez. She continued to say that “only two persons, a cousin and a particular friend, members of the regiment, knew that I was a woman. They never ‘blowed on me. These particular friends were partly the reason Williams joined the Army. She could shoot, march and stand guard with the best of them and performed regular garrison duties. A garrison is a group of soldiers whose task is to guard the town or building where they live. Soon, orders transferred the new recruits out west to protect pioneers traveling through one of the most dangerous routes to California, called Cooke's Canyon.  In April of 1867, her troop marched to Fort Riley, Kansas, by July they had made it to Fort Union Mexico and arrived at Fort Cummings NM on October 1, 1867. They would remain stationed here for the next 8 months.  Williams had joined the army's fight against the Indigenous people. Health struggles began to plague Cathay.  She became feeble both physically and mentally, and much of the time quite unfit for duty. Smallpox was the most debilitating, but the back-to-back hospitalizations during eight months off sick leave were the most devastating. At Fort Cummings in New Mexico,  her body really began to show signs of strain. Maybe it was the heat, maybe  the effects of smallpox, or the years of marching. But the biggest blow came when the post surgeon discovered Cathay Williams, or William Cathay, was a woman. The surgeon informed the post commander. She said, “the men all wanted to get rid of me after they found out I was a woman. Some of them acted real bad to me.” Williams was honorably discharged by her commanding officer, Captain Charles E. Clarke on October 14, 1868 at at Fort Bayard, New Mexico, It was the end of her tenure in the Army, but her adventure as William Cathay had just gotten started. Again, dressed as a man, Cathay signed up for the 38th U.S. Infantry, an emerging, segregated all-black regiment. The 38th U.S. Infantry would eventually become part of the Buffalo Soldiers. Cathay and her fellow black comrades were named Buffalo Soldiers by the Plains Indians because they were fierce fighters, and they had short curly hair like the buffalo. The Buffalo Soldiers fought in skirmishes with Native Americans, escorted vulnerable wagon trains, built forts, mapped the territory, and protected white settlers – all with sub-par equipment. They showed tremendous skill. She is the only known black female soldier a part of the Buffalo Soldiers. Williams was adrift after the war but wanted to remain independent and self-sufficient.  She was accustomed to the Military providing shelter, education and medical care. She saw it as far superior to the uncertainties of civilian life as a liberated slave. As a newly freed slave, post-war job opportunities were practically nonexistent. The inequality and lack of access was smothering, particularly in the southern states. Most had no choice but to turn to military service to survive.  She went back to living under her original name and headed to Pueblo, Colorado, where her mother ran an orphanage and she was able to secure work as a cook. She was married there, but it ended fast after her husband was arrested for stealing her watch and chain, a hundred dollars and her team of horses and wagon. She had him arrested and put in jail. She moved to Trinidad, Colorado, and took on jobs as a seamstress, laundress and part time nurse under the name Kate Williams. But only after first passing as a male by the name of James Cady upon arrival.   The kids in town were afraid of her, she  was tall and dark with a masculine appearance. He walk had a limp due to her amputated toes.  She liked Trinidad. She knew good people there and had dreams of success. She hoped to take land near the depot when the railroad finally came in. She said, “Grant owns all this land around here, and it won't cost me anything. I shall never live in the states again.”  Trinidad had its own lil rush in the early 1870's when gold was discovered in the Spanish Peaks. In 1876, Trinidad was officially incorporated only a few months before Colorado became a state. There were about 50 to 60 mine shafts operating there, and one of them was owned and operated by one of Abraham Lincoln's sons.     Are you enjoying the podcast? Make sure to subscribe, rate, review and find us on facebook and instagram. You can join the biggest fans behind the scenes at patreon.com/queensofthemines, or give a one time tip via venmo to, @queensofthemines   Her life story went public while Williams was in Trinidad. A reporter from her home state of Missouri heard rumors of the black woman who faked her way into the army, and came to Trinidad from St Louis to meet her. She told the reporter,  “I wanted to make my own living and not be dependent on relations or friends. Cathay Williams' adventures were breaking news when it was published in the St. Louis Daily Times on January 2, 1876. She became well-known to most Trinidad residents, especially the older ones.  In 1891, Williams applied for a disability pension through the Army. She was now 49 years old.  At 52, she was suffering from neuralgia, loss of hearing, rheumatism and diabetes. She walked with a crutch, for all of her toes had been amputated. Her pension was denied. She had lied, and posed as a man to serve the country that had enslaved her. But women would not be allowed to serve in the army until 1948.  Historians argue about the time and location of her death but  most signs point to  Cathat Williams passing away in Trinidad in 1924 at the age of 82. It was said that she was very sick and had been without fire or food for several days.  Something else that I find fascinating about Trinidad. Trinidad is dubbed the Gender Reassignment Capital of the World. Dr Stanley Biber was a veteran surgeon returning from Korea in the 1960s. He moved to Trinidad, to be the town surgeon. In 1969, he performed his first Gender Reassignment for a local social worker, did a good job and earned a good reputation at a time when very few doctors were performing the surgery.  He was performing 4 gender reassignment surgeries a day in his peak years.  Haskell Hooks of Trinidad, Co wants to erect a local statue to honor Cathay Williams.  If you want to donate to the gofundme you can search Memorial Statue for Ms Cathay Williams, on the gofundme site. Its important to note Cathay is spelled Cathay. He has spent several years researching her story and is attempting to raise $50,000 to have the statue created by a New Mexico sculptor. He has organized several fund-raising events to cover the cost, including T-shirt sales and activities at Flo-Jo's Tavern & BBQ in downtown Trinidad and a gofundme page. I found this quite interesting, considering I just spent two days in Trinidad in November. While I was there, I had no idea who Cathay was, but I managed to stay right next to the location of her old house anyways. She lived at the corner of Second and Animas streets, and on West First Street ; the original homes no longer stand. It all leads me to wonder how far will you go to get what you want ?   _____________    

Cathay Williams was an African American Woman who was conscripted to work as General Philip Sheridan's cook during the Civil War. When the war was over, she wanted to join one of the all-Black Army Regiments that later became known as the “Buffalo Soldiers." But women weren't allowed to serve at that time. So she put on men's clothes, changed her name to William Cathay, and spent the next three years as a Buffalo Soldier in the "Wild West."  Her story could easily serve as a western myth – a portrait of so-called frontier courage in the face of insurmountable odds. But we look more closely at the way her choice to live as a Black male soldier also reflect the extremely limited options available to Black women at the time. 

Die Natives, so sagt man, bezeichneten sie als "Büffelsoldaten": Nach dem Amerikanischen Bürgerkrieg kamen Einheiten der Kavallerie und Infanterie im Westen zum Einsatz, die sich vollständig aus afroamerikanischen Rekruten zusammensetzten. Dies ist die Geschichte der "colored" troops, besser bekannt als die "Buffalo Soldiers". 00:00 - Einleitung 02:51 - Nachrichten aus dem Wilden Westen: "Pleasanton Observer Enterprise", Kansas, 18.10.1879 11:34 - Wer waren die "Buffalo Soldiers: Ursprünge im Bürgerkrieg 15:14 - Exkurs: Die "First Lousiana Native Guard" - die erste "schwarze" Einheit im Bürgerkrieg 16:54 - Die Einheiten: Neuorganisation der Armee nach dem Bürgerkrieg 20:24 - Herkunft des Namens und berühmte Einsätze der "Buffalo Soldiers" 27:31 - Weitere Geschichte der Einheiten im 20. Jhdt. 29:19 - Segregation und Rassismus: Umgang mit den "colored troops" im 19. Jhdt. 31:27 - Weitere Geschichten der "Buffalo Soldiers": Die ersten US Park Rangers. 33:37 - Cathay Williams aka William Cathay - der erste weibliche afroamerikanische Soldat 39:07 - Was hat die Geschichte der "Buffalo Soldiers" inspiriert? 43:49 - Verabschiedung und Ausblicke Disclaimer: Diese Episode enthält ca. 14 Sekunden Auszug aus dem Song "Buffalo Soldier" von Bob Marley und Noel Williams, vorgetragen von "Bob Marley & The Wailers". Copyright EMI Longitude Music Co. and Music Sales Corporation.

Cass finally gets to talk about the Midwest - of Guatemala - as she recounts some ancient Mayan mythos. Nat keeps it consistent by talking about the American Midwest in Missouri where soldier, William Cathay, reveals a stunning secret. Tune in to find out!Popol Vuh manuscript c. 1701 Maya Hero TwinsPainting of “William Cathay”William Cathay U.S. Army Pension RecordsSOURCES:Popol Vuh Story: Ancient History Encyclopedia, Living Maya Time, WikiWilliam Cathay / Cathay Williams Story: Wounded Warrior Project, National Park Service, WikiMERCH: Snag some Shared History merch and get stylin’!SOCIALS: Follow Shared History on Twitter & Instagram and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!SUPPORT: DYK you can support us on Patreon? Just become a patron of Arcade Audio and let ‘em know you love us. CREDITS:Original Theme: Garreth SpinnOriginal Art: Sarah CruzAbout this podcast:Shared History, is a comedy podcast and history podcast in one. Hosted by Chicago comedians, each episode focuses on obscure, overlooked and underrepresented historical events and people.SPONSORS: This episode was sponsored by RAYGUN, Cape Horn Illustration & ECBG Cake Studio (all promocodes mentioned in episode are one word, no spaces)Direct sponsorship inquiries here.

Support the show on Patreon OR Buy me a coffee 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! To learn more about black history please check out the black history buff podcast youtube twitter Pinterest Website Just google black history buff and you’ll find us there or hit the link below https://www.blackhistorybuff.com/pages/social-2 Oh and if you enjoyed this please share because black history is world history --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/blackhistorybuff/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/blackhistorybuff/support

In 1886, Cathay Williams, who later altered her name to William Cathay...

Reposted from: www.leadonnetwork.com/wordpress This is a Day in Washington #Disability #Policy Podcast. http://dayinwashington.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/1-BlackHistoryMonth-Cathay-Williams-final.mp3 Audio File: http://dayinwashington.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/1-BlackHistoryMonth-Cathay-Williams-final.mp3 Although originally posted for Black History Month (February), Cathay Williams is great for Women's History Month (March) as well! Cathay Williams (September 1844 1892) On 15 November 1866 in St. Louis, Cathay Williams enlisted in the United States Army, 38th Infantry as a man named William Cathay. To date, she is the only documented African-American woman who served in the U.S. Army (until modern time). From the St. Louis Daily Times, January 2, 1876: €œThe regiment I joined wore the Zouave uniform and only two persons, a cousin and a particular friend, members of the regiment, knew that I was a woman. They never €˜blowed' on me. They were partly the cause of my joining the army. Another reason was I wanted to make my own living and not be dependent on relations or friends. Soon after I joined the army, I was taken with the small-pox and was sick at a hospital across the river from St. Louis, but as soon as I got well I joined my company in New Mexico. She seemed an average soldier; she performed garrison duty adequately enough. She drilled and trained with Company A, and went scouting for signs of hostile Native Americans. There was no cause for her to be remarked upon either positively or negatively in any officer reports of record. In January 1868 her health began deteriorating. On the 27th, she was admitted to the post hospital for rheumatism. She released, and then was admitted again on March 20th.  During her military career, she was in four hospitals, on five separate occasions, for varying amounts of time. On July 13, she was admitted into the hospital and diagnosed with neuralgia (a catch-all term for pain caused by a nerve, or parts of the nervous system). Finally, on October 14, 1868 William Cathey was discharged with a certificate of disability. After this, she resumed her identity as Cathay Williams and worked in New Mexico and Colorado as cook, laundress and nurse. In 1890, she was hospitalized in eighteen months though no mention is given of the specific ailment. In June 1891 she filed for an invalid pension based upon her military service. She claimed loss of hearing, neuralgia, and rheumatism. Upon a doctor's examination, pension records show that all her toes on both feet had been amputated, and she could only walk with a crutch. From DeAnne Blanton's CATHAY WILLIAMS, BLACK WOMAN SOLDIER: It is unfortunate that so little is known of Cathay Williams. The information in her pension file together with the scattered references to her in military records is all that exists. The fragmentary references to her physical condition, however, provide some clues as to what may have caused of her various ailments during the course of her adult life. It is entirely possible that Cathay Williams suffered from mild diabetes. The Pension Bureau rejected her claim on the grounds that no disability existed. Resources You can read more about her here Cathay Williams, Female Buffalo Soldier: http://www.buffalosoldier.net/CathayWilliamsFemaleBuffaloSoldierWithDocuments.htm And Cathay Williams, Black Woman Buffalo Soldier:http://www.beyondblackwhite.com/cathay-williams-black-woman-buffalo-soldier/

Welcome back to rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making it. We’re here for another Wiki history lecture featuring the great and groundbreaking podcast series on African Americans in the United States military.   November is the month that Americans remember and honor its veterans—the brave men and women who fought for freedom and liberty both within the country and around the world. Did you know that there are nearly 20 million veterans living in the United States. Of that number, more than 2 million veterans are African American.   African Americans have fought in every U.S. war beginning with the Revolutionary War.   Civil War: 200,000 African Americans served, mostly but not all for the Union war effort. Did you know that Harriet Tubman served as a nurse and spy for the Union Army? World War I: 375,000 African Americans served, mostly as labor: cooking, cleaning and building roads. There was also the Harlem Hellfighters—if you haven’t heard about these incredible guys, you can find their story on one of my podcasts. World War II: 1 million African Americans who fought the Nazis. The Tuskegee Airmen were displayed their bravery and skill during this great war. Most roles for African Americans though were still limited to labor.   I won’t continue through all the wars but I’m sure that you send the trend! African Americans distinguished themselves and served with honor in every U.S. war.         Indeed, the African American presence in the military was always strong and is continuing to grow stronger. There were difficulties, particularly racial discrimination, there were victories and triumphs, there have been heroes (lots of heroes!) and yes, there have been defeats. The history is long and varied so I think that we should get started discussing this fascinating but often forgotten history, this forgotten contribution made by African Americans.   This is African American history at its finest! But you might be asking yourself: what can I learn from it?   Great question.   Here’s the answer: Courage. Determination. Honor.   Great qualities! Everyone can benefit from these qualities—whether military or civilian, male or female, rich or poor, Black or white. These are great qualities for everyone.   And these stories about African Americans in the military--their courage to face obstacles like racism, their determination to fight for their country and their freedom, their courage under fire whether it came from Nazis in 1944, from the Vietcong in 1969 or from other Americans, their honor in saving lives in their country and around the world—these stories will inspire you to transcend any hardships that might be in your own life.   Since this is a wiki history lecture, we will not discuss the African American presence every U.S. war—that would take a very long time—so we will focus on discussing a few special people who distinguished themselves in the military. Remember that my belief—and the approach that we take at rememberinghistory.com—is that history is made by individuals. History is the story of how people lived, how they contributed to their world, what they dreamed of, what they fought for and what they died for. History is made by individuals. So I am absolutely going to tell the stories of a few special individuals who have served their country with honor and distinction. These people have not only helped to serve and protect us, they have also given us a path to follow. Just like the great explorers that we discussed in last month’s podcast series, these people are also role models that we can learn from. Some have distinguished themselves in combat, some by their mere presence in the military, others in unique and controversial ways. All are important. All have contributed to our freedom. And at rememberinghistory.com, we thank them all.   We will discuss two such heroes in the first episode of this series on Blacks in the military. In the second podcast show in the series, we will examine the stories of Blacks in the military as shown on the big screen. That’s right, we’ll discuss movies that show various aspects of the African American experience in the military. I love movies and I’ll mention some of my favorites. If you have favorites, I would love to hear about them. So please leave comments at the rememberinghistory.com website or at the Remembering History Facebook page. If we have time, and I know that we’re bumping up against Thanksgiving (if you are in the United States), we will have one final show that will take special note of the contributions of African Americans currently serving in the U.S. armed forces. You will definitely find this important and inspirational information on the website and Facebook page. And you might also find it on podcast. Send me a message and let me know what you would like.       Speaking about that, I hope that you remember the website and Facebook pages are places where you can find a great group of fun and friendly historians where you can participate in discussions, ask questions, make comments or just talk about anything that interests you. We’re open to all viewpoints and we welcome all interested people. Please also visit the Books & Stuff store where you can find books, DVDs (like the ones that I’ll mention in this podcast series) and lots of other educational and fun tools about African American history. Everything has been personally vetted by me so you can trust it all. Or you can send me your criticisms. I take full responsibility for everything on this website. Not many places where you can find personal responsibility but you can find it here.   Without further ado, let’s open our great and groundbreaking podcast show about Blacks in the Military with a unique and interesting person who was determined to serve her country. Yes, that’s right. We’re opening this great and groundbreaking show with a discussion about a woman who served in the armed forces. Women in the military is very common today, which is great. But her story began more than 100 years ago—and things were different then. Oh, but I’m jumping ahead (or rather jumping back) too much. Let me tell her story properly.   Cathay Williams might be a familiar name to you. But it’s not in many history books. And it’s not in the army enlistment registers either. However, in the army register, you might find the name William Cathay. In fact, I know that you will because I’ve seen it myself. William Cathay. 5 feet 9 inches in height, black eyes, black hair and a black complexion. But William Cathay did not exist. This is not a description for William Cathay enlisting in the armed forces. This is the description for Cathay William. That’s right. Cathay William. And this is her story. This is the story of an African American woman who disguised herself as a man to enlist in the army, the Buffalo soldiers to be exact. And she is the first known African American woman to enlist in the United States army and the only African American woman documented to serve in the United States army in the 19th century.   Cathay William was born into slavery in 1844 in Independence, Missouri. When she was 17 years old, in 1861, she was captured and “freed” by Union troops (remember this was at the start of the Civil War). Although she was “freed”, captured slaves were considered contraband and were usually forced to work for the Union soldiers. Cathay William was no exception and she worked as a cook and laundress for the remainder of the war.   After the American Civil War ended in 1865, employment opportunities were scarce for African Americans. Cathay William always wanted to support herself. She was determined not to be a burden on any family members or friends. She applied for jobs but found nothing beyond cooking and sewing. Many African Americans looked to military service where they could have steady pay but also get an education, health care and a pension. But these positions were open only to men. A male cousin of Cathay William enlisted and received all these benefits. She decided that she would also enlist—as a man. She switched her first and last names (enter William Cathay), took the medical exam and enlisted. Yes, she actually passed a medical examination as a man! She was declared fit for duty on November 15, 1866 and was assigned to the 38th Infantry Unit. This was one of the six units known as the Buffalo Soldiers.       Cathay Williams was as strong as any man in the regiment and she was, in fact, the tallest of the unit. But her career in the military was short-lived. Unfortunately, she contracted smallpox shortly after enlisting the army in Missouri. Still, she marched 536 miles from Fort Harker in Kansas to Fort Cummings in New Mexico. Along the way, she had to be hospitalized 3 times. As a result of the smallpox, she suffered deafness and rheumatism. She also had 10 toes amputated because of diabetes, which caused her to use crutches to walk. In 1868 at the age of 47, she was discharged because of medical disability. No one (except her cousin and perhaps a few others in the regiment) ever knew that she was a woman.   After her discharge, she worked as a cook, laundress, seamstress and nurse in towns throughout Colorado. However, she could not continue to work because of the illnesses she contracted during her military service. So she applied for a military pension and this is when the problems began. Despite her disabilities, the army surgeon declared her to be in “overall good health” and “able to work.” During this time, it was discovered that she was a woman. (The exact means of discovery are not clear.) She was denied the pension. She had to continue working as a cook, laundress and seamstress to support herself. It is not entirely clear what year Cathay William died but it is estimated that it was as early as 1892 or as late as 1900. What is known is that the denial of her pension contributed to her death because she was forced to do physical labor despite her weakened condition.   Cathay Williams was a strong, brave and determined woman in an age when opportunities for women, particularly African American women, were limited.     She is quoted as saying, “The regiment I joined wore the Zouave uniform and only two persons, a cousin and particular friend, who were members of the regiment knew that I was a woman. They never ‘blowed’ on me. They were partly the cause of my joining the army. Another reason was I wanted to make my own living and not be dependent on relations or friends.”   She wanted to be independent. And she served her country with honor.   Courage. Determination. Honor.   Just a note that many women posed as men to enlist in the American Civil War. Some report list hundreds of women posing as men to serve in the army. Some were discovered because of hospital treatments. Others were not discovered during their service but only “confessed” afterwards.   Cathay William is one of the few women (and the only Black woman) whose service is documented. She just wanted to make a living. But she was also making history!   Wow, what an amazing woman! Too bad that she contracted smallpox so early in her career. Still she tried to persist through the debilitating symptoms. Remember she did complete that 500-mile walk. Also, it was too bad that the military did not support her after she could no longer serve. But still she was a strong woman (physically and mentally) and she remained independent throughout her life.   She’s an example and role model to us all!           If you want to learn more about Cathay William—and I really hope that you do—I recommend a great book called Cathay William: From Slave to Buffalo Soldier by Phillip Thomas Tucker. You’ll learn a lot more about this amazing woman and yes there is much more to learn about her. The story will inspire you. Guaranteed!   Now let’s turn to another African American (this time a man) who is also great role model. In fact, he is such a great role model and a true officer and gentleman that the Military Academy at West Point gives an award EVERY YEAR in his name. Do you know his name? I hope so. But I’m gonna tell you anyway.   He is Lieutenant Henry Ossian Flipper and he has an amazing story.   Born into slavery in 1856, Henry Flipper was the eldest of 5 brothers. He was born and lived until his freedom in Thomasville, Georgia. At great risk to everyone, another slave on the plantation taught Henry to read and this would, as expected, play an important role throughout his life.   When the American Civil War ended in 1865, Henry (because he could read and write) attended Atlanta University. He displayed a strong aptitude for math and engineering so he was sent to the Military Academy at West Point. He was not the first African American to attend the academy. In fact, there were 6 other Black men already studying there. They all experienced racial discrimination as well as physical and mental abuse. At the time, there was 1 Black cadet who had been savagely attacked by several white cadets. The cadet (not Henry Flipper) survived the attack but was later expelled for making false charges against the white cadets who had attacked him. Now this did not happen to Henry but it shows the environment in which he was suddenly cast. And Henry did experience a lot of racism and abuse from the white officers and cadets at the academy. Henry Flipper graduated from West Point in 1877. Although he wasn’t the first African American to attend the academy, he did become the first African American cadet to graduate (or be commissioned) from it.   He was then appointed as a second lieutenant in the army cavalry. His first commission was to lead the 10th army cavalry regiment. Perhaps you know them as the Buffalo Soldiers. Lieutenant Henry Flipper became the first nonwhite officer to lead the Buffalo Soldiers!   His first assignment was to Fort Sill in Oklahoma where he showed his skills as a master engineer. He began with engineering a ditch to drain the malaria-infested swamp. That ditch is still known today as “Flipper’s Ditch.” He also supervised the construction of roads and telegraph lines. From there, he was moved to Fort Concho in west Texas and two years later to Fort Davis, also in Texas. Unfortunately, Fort Davis is where Lieutenant Flipper would encounter the racism that would ultimately end his military career. This would be initiated by First Lieutenant William Shafter—Lieutenant Flipper’s commanding officer.   Lieutenant Shafter was brought to Fort Davis, Texas to command the 24th infantry, another Buffalo Soldiers unit. While Lieutenant Shafter accepted Black troops as soldiers, he was absolutely opposed to them as officers. This placed him in direct conflict with Lieutenant Flipper. Lieutenant Shafter (later known as Pecos Bill) brought charges of embezzling government funds (based on falsified evidence) against Lieutenant Flipper, which led to court martial proceedings. It was the ultimate frame up. Fortunately, the court martial found Lieutenant Flipper innocent of the embezzlement charge. However, he was found guilty of “conduct unbecoming of an officer and gentleman”. This was based on Lieutenant Flipper’s relationship with the white daughter of a former commanding officer. (In fact, they used the letters between the Lieutenant Flipper and the C/O’s daughter as evidence against him.) Lieutenant Flipper was received a dishonorable discharge in 1882. He would spend the remainder of his life fighting the conviction and attempting to regain his commission. (By the way, Lieutenant Shafter would later be promoted and awarded the Medal of Honor.) But Lieutenant Flipper’s story is not over yet.   Henry Flipper returned to El Paso, Texas where he worked as a civil engineer. He also worked in Mexico and returned to the United States to work as an advisor on revolutionary politics for Senator Albert Fall. In 1923, Henry Flipper moved to Venezuela to work as a civil engineer in the petroleum industry. In 1931, he retired in Atlanta, Georgia where he died in 1940. But, no, the story still is not over.   In 1976, Henry Flipper’s descendants and supporters applied to the Army Board for the Correction of Military Records to overturn Flipper’s conviction and sentence. The board, after stating it did not have the authority to overturn his court-martial conviction, concluded the conviction and punishment were "unduly harsh and unjust" and recommended that Flipper's dismissal be changed to a good conduct discharge. In 1999, President Bill Clinton issued a full pardon to Lieutenant Henry Flipper.   After his discharge was changed, a bust of Lieutenant Flipper was unveiled at West Point. Since then, an annual Henry O. Flipper Award has been granted to graduating cadets at the academy who exhibit "leadership, self-discipline, and perseverance in the face of unusual difficulties.” This is the award that I mentioned earlier and no one is more deserving of such an honor as Lieutenant Henry Flipper.       Throughout his life, Henry Flipper was a prolific author, writing about scientific topics, the history of the Southwest, and his own experiences. In his book, The Colored Cadet at West Point (1878) he describes his experiences at the military academy. In the posthumously published book, Negro Frontiersman: The Western Memoirs of Henry O. Flipper (1963), he describes his life in Texas and Arizona after his discharge from the Army. You can find these books and others in the store on the rememberinghistory.com website. I also like the DVD called Held in Trust about Lieutenant Flipper. But I admit that nothing beats a book that is written by the person who has actually faced the situations. So, remember that you can find all these great resources on the website. You can decide which is best for you.   Courage. Determination. Honor.   Lieutenant Henry O. Flipper.   So, this concludes the two stories of African American women and men who served the country with honor and distinction. You might have noticed that I chose people who had been born into slavery. People who, upon gaining their freedom when slavery ended, chose to serve their country in the armed forces. Both Cathay William and Lieutenant Henry Flipper had different stories but also similar experiences of racism, discrimination and hardship. But they also had stories of courage, determination and honor. Their stories need to be told because we all can learn from them. We can aim for these high qualities.   Courage. Determination. Honor.   I hope that you noticed that both of today’s history makers also had a connection with the Buffalo Soldiers. If you want more information about the Buffalo Soldiers, I have a fantastic podcast about them (which also includes a discussion about the Harlem Hellfighters) that you can find on the website. I won’t go into detail about either legendary group right now, but I really encourage you to listen to my podcast about them. They were great history makers and they deserve recognition for their service.   In the next podcast show, we will examine a few of the best movies about African Americans in the military.   Let’s remember our veterans this month and every month. Let’s never forget their commitment and sacrifices so that we all could be free and safe. Not all were heroes. Not all were patriots. And not all came home. But their memory endures.   Because of my appreciation for their great service, I am dedicating these wiki history podcasts about Blacks in the military to a Black veterans organization called the National Association of Black Veterans or nabvets. They are an excellent resource for Black veterans and their families. They provide assistance with filing claims, have lots of information for veterans, and provide chaplain services. They have offices around the United States. Or you can visit their website at www.nabvets.org. For every person who listens to this (or any of my November wiki history podcasts), I will donate $1 to the National Association of Black Veterans Association. It is an honor and privilege to support this organization and I hope that you will too. They also have incredible volunteer opportunities so there’s another way to contribute. Remember www.nabvets.org.   Remember our veterans: Honor. Courage. Determination. Great goals for us all. And please visit rememberinghistory.com. Leave your questions or comments. And I would love to hear from our veterans or women and men who are currently serving in the military. You are a great inspiration. And thank you for your service.   Honor. Courage. Determination. See you next time at rememberinghistory.com where are remembering history and we’re making it. Bye for now!                    

Welcome back to robinlofton.com for Part II of the African Americans in the Military wiki history podcast!   In Part I, we examined the strong presence of African Americans in every U.S. war since the American Revolution. We also looked at problems of segregation, racial bias, and unequal treatment of Blacks in the military. And I mentioned that this these podcasts are dedicated to Nabvets, which is the National Association of Black Veterans, for their great contribution to improving the lives of Black veterans and their families. Thanks to your help (listening to this podcast series), I have been able to make a good contribution to this organization. But I want to donate more so keep listening because it’s about to get even more interesting. At the end of this podcast, you will learn how to contribute to this organization.   In this podcast, we will discuss African Americans who have distinguished themselves in the armed forces. There are regiments that have served the U.S. with honor and distinction. I have to begin with an apology that I cannot list or discuss every one of them—there are just too many!—but I hope that you will be inspired by the great achievements that you will hear about today.  Remember those 3 important words from Part I? Courage, Determination, Honor. These heroes today showed all these qualities and have raised the bar to give us something to strive for.   We will begin with the Harlem Hellfighters.   Is that name familiar?  Hopefully, it will be one day because these men have earned the right to be known, remembered, and written into our history books!   The Harlem Hellfighters were an African American regiment (remember the regiments used to be segregated) who fought in World War I. They were one of the few African American combat units (remember again that most Blacks were relegated to service or general labor duties).  The Harlem Hellfighters were originally called the 15th New York Colored Regiment. Later, they were called the 369th Infantry unit.   So, what did they do?  The Harlem Hellfighters were the longest serving and most decorated unit in World War I. They spent 191 days under enemy fire. Now, that’s courage under fire to an extreme! They are also credited with numerous courageous acts on the battlefield.   What about the name “Harlem Hellfighters”? Former commander, Colonel Reginald Sanders explains: "We did not give ourselves our name [the Harlem Hellfighters]. Our enemies gave us our name, [which] is an honor." The Hellfighters were actually given two different names from the Europeans.  The French called them Men of Bronze out of respect. In fact, the French government gave the regiment the prestigious “croix de Guerre” award in 1918. But it was the Germans who gave them the name of “Hellfighters” out of fear for their acts in combat.  That’s not surprising since the Hellfighters were cited 11 times for bravery under fire.   While the Europeans showed lots of respect for the Harlem Hellfighters, they didn’t get the same respect back at home.  The French gave them the opportunity to fight though it was denied to them by the American army, which had them unloading ships and working as waiters. They had also received their training in South Carolina where they were confronted with racism and race-motivated violence.  There were numerous standoffs between the Hellfighters and the white residents who resented the increased presence of Blacks in their town.   And, following the end of the war, the Hellfighters returned home to what was called the Red Summer of 1919, which was the worst racial violence in U.S. history and saw a nation racial frenzy of riots, massacres, and lynchings throughout the North and South, all were started by whites who were angry about Blacks serving in the military and getting better jobs while whites were away at war.   No, that was definitely not the welcome that the Hellfighters deserved after serving their country so courageously.   Martin Miller, who was 16 when he joined the Harlem Hellfighters, recalled arriving in Europe and beginning the fight: “That day, the sun was shining, and we were marching. And the band was playing," Miller told an interviewer for the 1977 documentary Men of Bronze. "Everybody's head [was] high, and we were all proud to be Americans, proud to be black, and proud to be in the 15th New York Infantry."   They made us proud!   Moving on to another African American regiment that made history and served with honor and distinction. And made us proud, too.   The Buffalo Soldiers   The name might be familiar from the iconic Bob Marley song. But how much do we know about the Buffalo soldiers? Well, now’s the time to learn a bit more.   The Buffalo soldiers were formed in 1866  by an act of Congress. They were actually a group of units: 6 army units, 2 cavalry (the famous 9th & 10th cavalries) and 4 infantry units.   They were charged with protecting the settlers that moved to the western states and supporting westward expansion by building infrastructure for the settlers and government. They rebuilt towns, escorted wagon trains and stagecoaches through hostile territory, and fought in the Spanish-American war and both World Wars. However, in the U.S., the Buffalo soldiers could serve only west of the Mississippi River because of prevailing and persistent attitudes about Blacks following the American Civil War. But they had a very strong presence everywhere that they served.   How did the Buffalo soldiers get their name? Great question. There are a few theories that I’ll mention but you will have to decide for yourself. And, by the way, I would love to hear your theory so send me a note/message on robinlofton.com.   1.   The soldiers’ curly hair reminded the Native Americans of buffalo fur. 2.   The soldiers’ fierce and brave nature and tenacity as fighters reminded the Native Americans of how buffalos fought. 3.   The soldiers’ wore thick mats in the winter made of buffalo hides.   The Buffalo soldiers units were formed during the Indian wars.  This was actually a series of around 40 conflicts  that decimated the Native American population.   There were massacres, destruction of food sources, poisoning of fresh water wells, germ warfare, and large-scale removals. More than 45,000 Native Americans were killed.   Were the Buffalo soldiers involved in this reprehensible behavior? While they did their duties as U.S. soldiers (such as engaging in battle against the Cherokees), there is no record of the Buffalo soldiers engaging in that type of genocidal behavior. In fact, the Buffalo soldiers had a good relationship with many native American tribes, perhaps from a shared understanding and experiences, based on the racial situation at the time. If you have heard differently, send me a message at robinlofton.com—truth in history is my objective always.   The Buffalo soldiers also faced racism.  Reportsshow that these soldiers were frequently subjected to the harshest of discipline, racist officers, race-motivated violence from the European colonists, and poor food, equipment and shelter. White regiments were supplied with silk-embroidered banners but the Buffalo soldiers clothing had to be homemade (remember the buffalo hide theory?) and was tattered and worn. In spite of this treatment and their deprivations, the morale of these soldiers remained high and their commitment was strong. The Buffalo soldiers had the lowest desertion rate in the army, though their army posts were often in the worst areas in the west. Some white commanding officers were proud to lead these men and publicly expressed these feelings. But I have to add that this was not the norm. Most white officers didn’t want to command the black soldiers. The famous Colonel Custer, for example, accepted a lower rank rather than lead an African American unit. In the end,  20 black soldiers received the Medal of Honor, the highest award this country gives for the most outstanding performance under enemy fire. The last Buffalo soldiers regiments (the 27th and 28th cavalry units) were disbanded in 1951. Great work, guys! You make us proud.     Frederick Douglass said that once let the black man get upon his person the brass letter, U.S., let him get an eagle on his button, and a musket on his shoulder and bullets in his pocket, there is no power on earth that can deny that he has earned the right to citizenship." Frederick Douglass Oh, I wish that we had more time but we are keeping it wiki (meaning quick in the Hawaiian language) so we have to move on to discuss other heroes who have also made us proud.  And there have not only been men who have made us proud—and who were deserving of citizenship and all the rights that it affords. Women were and are doing their part, too. African American women have participated in every war since the Revolutionary War, despite the dual problems of race and gender discrimination. There were only a few Black women regiments because women were not allowed to officially join the army until the early-20th century. But women did participate in several different roles, one might really surprise you. Women worked as nurses, postal clerks, stenographers, switchboard operators, and typists. They also served as scouts and spies. One famous spy (during the Civil War) was Harriet Tubman (is that name familiar?). She was so impressive and effective that the soldiers called her General Tubman! One woman actually served as a Buffalo soldier in the Indian conflicts.  After being freed from a Missouri plantation, Cathay Williams served a support role during the Civil War. The following year (in 1866), she changed her name from Cathay Williams to William Cathay and registered for the Buffalo soldiers where she served for more than two years! She was eventually discovered and forced to leave, but she had served as an important member of one of the elite infantry units as a woman disguised as a man! That’s dedication, commitment, and ingenuity! In the Spanish-American War, Black women served as nurses and in other support roles.  During the height of the yellow fever epidemic, at least 30 so-called Black “immunes” (women who had suffered but survived yellow fever) were recruited as nurses to care for people suffering from the deadly disease. Other nurses were told that they couldn’t catch it because black skin is thicker and therefore protected African Americans from getting the disease. Of course, this was not true and many Black nurses were exposed to and died from yellow fever. At the outset of World War I, many trained black nurses enrolled in the American Red Cross hoping to gain entry into the Army or Navy Nurse Corps. As the war escalated, public pressure increased to enlist black women. Finally, shortly after the Armistice, 18 black Red Cross nurses were offered Army Nurse Corps assignments. Assigned to Camp Grant, Illinois, and Camp Sherman, Ohio, they lived in segregated quarters and cared for German prisoners of war and black soldiers. One of these pioneering women, Aileen Cole Stewart, later wrote,The Story of the Negro nurse in World War I is not spectacular. We arrived after the Armistice was signed, which alone was anticlimactic. So we had no opportunity for "service above and beyond the call of duty;" But each one of us...did contribute quietly and with dignity to the idea that justice demands professional equality for all qualified nurses.6 World War II would spawn the Women’s Army Corps (WAC) and Major Charity Adams, its first black officer. She commanded the first all-black female unit, the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion. Film-maker Frank Martin who made a documentary about the battalion noted that “Every single piece of mail that went to Europe passed through this postal battalion. Major Adams and her 855-member unit would spend the last year of the war clearing enormous backlogs of mail, first in England and then in France. By the way, this is a fascinating documentary called “For the Love of Liberty: The Story of America’s Black Patriots.” I will give you more information about that documentary in the next podcast.  I think that you’ll absolutely love it. When President Truman opened the army in 1948, more than 2,000 African American women enrolled in the Cadet Nurse Corps. But the Women’s Army Corps was where most Black women served the war effort, starting in World War II. Many Black women returned to the corps during the Korean and Vietnam wars, serving in nursing and supportive roles because of the ban on women in combative positions. What about today? Starting from the 1990s, things were very different for Black women in the armed forces. Black women are now well represented in today’s military. In Desert Storm, 40 percent of the 35,000 women active operations were African-American. That amounts to 14,000 Black women! And women are in active combat. Black women make up 30 percent of the military. 13 percent of officers are Black women. The military is indeed changing. Yet we should not forget that it has been a long and difficult road for Black women who have chosen a life in the armed forces. And much is still new: it was just in 2013 that the Pentagon lifted its ban on women in front-line combat roles. There is still much work to be done. I would like to end conclude this section with a quote from Commander Charity Adams Earley, who you might remember led the first African American women’s battalion in World War II. She recently said:         The future of women in the military seems assured.... What may be lost in time is the story of how it happened. The barriers of sex and race were, and sometimes still are, very difficult to overcome, the second even more than the first. During World War II women in the service were often subject to ridicule and disrespect even as they performed satisfactorily.... Each year the number of people who shared the stress of these accomplishments lessens. In another generation young black women who join the military will have scant record of their predecessors who fought on the two fronts of discrimination—segregation and reluctant acceptance by males.8 But we won’t forget. Ever. And I hope that these podcasts help you to remember them and their contributions. So, that’s all for today. This wiki lecture can’t cover everything about blacks in the military or everyone who served like Dorie Miller, a cook in the Navy who distinguished himself during the attack on Pearl Harbor or the Tuskegee Airmen, the Red Tails who served so courageously in World War II or Sojourner Truth who was a nurse during the civil war or now retired General Colin Powell who has had a long a distinguished career as National Security Advisor, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Commander of the Army Forces, and Secretary of State. And there are so many more. But we are keeping it wiki here.  And I might add that there is one more part to this interesting lecture series. Part III discusses films about Blacks in the Military. Some of these films are older, others were made more recently. But they definitely bring the Black experience in the military to life. And it gives us a chance to discuss other Black heroes and feel inspired by their stories.  Honor. Courage. Determination. You will see how they lived these principles and how important they are to everyone. Please don’t forget that November is the month to remember and honor our veterans.  The National Association of Black Veterans works all year long to support and assist black veterans. That’s why I’m giving $1 to the Nabvets for every person that listens to this podcast this month.  They have a great website at www.nabvets.org. It’s my honor to show support for them—like they have shown support for our veterans over the years. And shown us honor, courage, and determination. I hope that you have enjoyed this podcast at robinlofton.com. Please leave your comments, questions, and thoughts. I love to hear from my listeners or anyone who is interested in African American history. See you next time to review movies about Blacks in the military at robinlofton.com.  And a big salute to Jon Knox for making that great music—I just wanted to get up and march! Hug and veteran today and I’ll see you soon at robinlofton.com.            

Private William Cathay joined the famed Buffalo Soldiers in 1866.  This would be a typical enlistment of the period, except William was really Cathay, a woman!  She joined the U.S. Army 62 years before women were allowed to serve.  Listen to the amazing story of William Cathay, the first female Buffalo Soldier. Find more information at www.blackvalor.net.