Deborah Samson goes down in the books of American history, and in quite a remarkable way. Born in Massachusetts in the middle of the 18th century, Deborah was the eldest of six children born to a poor family. When he father died in an apparent drowning, her mother and siblings were forced into indentured servitude. At the age of 18, Deborah was released from her duties and became a school teacher refusing the suggestion that she marry. Being a wife and mother was pretty much all a woman could hope for back then, but Deborah wanted more out of life. In 1782 the Revolutionary War was still raging and at the age of 21, Samson enlisted in the army. Since women were not allowed to enlist, she saw no other choice but to disguise herself as a man (“Robert Shurtleffâ€). She fought in battle on behalf of the Continental army for nearly a year and a half all the while keeping her identity a secret from her fellow soldiers. Her true gender was discovered by a doctor after she was wounded in battle and developed a fever (he saw her banded breasts under her clothes). Still, Deborah was honorably discharged at West Point and is considered a true hero today. Just like Deborah from the Bible, this Deborah was not afraid of war!
