Mary Bowser: Unsung hero

Mary Bowser was extremely smart, and had a photographic memory. She could read and write which was Illegal for Black Americans in the South at that time. While she was a slave, her master, and their family treated her well, and even sent her to get a proper education up North. She was especially close with the Masters daughter, Elizabeth Van Lew. She fought bravely, even though it might not be what you imagine. She snuck into the Confederate Capital and worked as a spy. Sometime in 1839, Bowser was born into slavery. While she was freed years later, the experience stuck with her for the rest of her life. It shaped who she was and the decisions she made. She knew how hard it was to be trapped in slavery and she wanted justice for people who weren't as lucky as her. She was willing to take the risks of getting found and most likely killed if the Confederates learned of her. Bowser infiltrated the capital of the Confederates, and helped the Union from the inside. She knew the stakes of the war, and she wanted to do everything she could to help the Union. She succeeded. She was in the Capitol, and relaying information she had learned to Elizabeth Van Lew who was working with the Union. The Confederates did not bat an eye. She played the role of what they thought a slave was. They thought she was dumb, and that she didnt understand anything, while she was in the corner watching, and listening. She didn't just have to fool the Confederates, but the Union as well. Without the work done by her and many others like her, the war might not have ended the same. She worked hard for years, making sure to not reveal anything. However you probably have never heard of her until now. The US Government tried to erase anything about her, And I couldn't find exactly why. That's why we don't know exactly the day she was born, or when she died. She's an unsung hero. She was brave,and someone who fought for what she believed in that not many know about. She kept trying, and it payed off. Mary Bowser was an Unsung Hero. “Mary Elizabeth Bowser | EHISTORY.” Osu.edu, 2019, ehistory.osu.edu/biographies/mary-elizabeth-bowser. Morgan, Thad. “How a Black Spy Infiltrated the Confederate White House.” HISTORY, 23 Apr. 2018, www.history.com/news/female-spies-civil-war-mary-bowser-elizabeth-van-lew.

Little Leaders Bold Woman in black history.