There are many hidden figures from the past that we still haven’t been introduced to yet. We recently just learned about three African American women Katherine G. Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson who worked for NASA, and helped with an important mission of sending John Glenn into orbit from the movie, Hidden Figures. I must say there must be a long list of names that may never be recognized, or even noticed. There are many stories to tell, for example there are war stories. Imagine you’re stopping in a small coffee shop to buy a cup of coffee and you see a war veteran standing in line. Have you ever wondered what his or her story may be? Could it be the reason why they are still alive today is because another soldier risked their life just to save him, or her. There are many men and women whom we will never hear their names and what they’ve done to fight for our freedom in this country.
I was introduced to a United States Army soldier that I’ve never heard about before. Though this person's service was only for a short time, this soldier literally changed the game. William Cathay, a brave human being, and an African American who served this country from 1866-1868. William Cathay wasn’t any ordinary soldier for William Cathay was Cathay Williams. Yes, he was a she, and was the first African American woman enlisted who disguised herself as a man. For blacks, during those times were tough and southern communities were against equal opportunities for blacks such as jobs, healthcare, and shelter. It would only make sense to join the army where they would provide those things. They offered shelter, medical assistance, and pay. This was something Cathay knew she needed in order to survive. For two years she lived as a black man in the army until her gender was discovered, and she was then discharged.
Williams was born in Independence, Missouri to a free man and a woman slave, and with her mother being a slave she was considered a slave herself. Although, her survival may have depended on the army, it was never in her plans to join. Born into slavery, she worked as a house slave on the Johnson plantation which was located on the outskirts of Jefferson City, Missouri. During the birth of American Civil War in 1861, the Union forces collected slaves from Jefferson City who were “contraband”. Of course Williams was considered as such because she was a house slave. It also means that her labor in the household was considered aid. After traveling through several states she enlisted in the Army in 1866.
For this month celebrating Black History, let us honor Cathay Williams, the first African American woman United States Army soldier.
