Esther de Berdt Reed wasn’t just a military wife—she was a Revolutionary force. After fleeing British-occupied Philadelphia as a refugee, she returned determined to act. Her bold broadside, The Sentiments of an American Woman, launched an 18th-century fundraising movement that equipped soldiers and inspired women across the colonies. Her story proves women helped shape America’s Revolution.

Before they had the right to vote, Revolutionary wives were organizing, protesting, and redefining patriotism—one spinning wheel and tea boycott at a time.

As men marched to war, women redefined what it meant to fight for freedom. From camp followers to civic leaders, military wives held the Revolution together—proving that liberty was forged not only on the battlefield, but in the resilience of those who stayed beside them.

The Enlightenment didn’t just spark revolutions—it empowered women to claim their place in history. From Martha Bratton’s defiance to Rebecca Motte’s sacrifice, meet the women who turned reason into rebellion and redefined patriotism on the home front.

Before she was the first First Lady, Martha Washington stood beside a general—and unknowingly became the blueprint for generations of military spouses. Her role went far beyond Valley Forge; she traveled to camps, organized supplies, and bore the emotional toll of war alongside her husband. At home, she juggled grief, plantation management, and the brutal reality of slavery. Though she had no guidebook, Martha helped create the foundation for what it means to serve without ra

She didn't come to the battlefield with a uniform, but with conviction. When her husband fell beside their cannon at Fort Washington, Margaret Corbin didn't cry out—she loaded the next round. Gritting through the smoke and chaos, she fired until her body could no longer keep up with her will. Wounded, scarred, and nearly forgotten, she became the first woman in American history to receive a military pension—not for tending the wounded, but for standing and fighting as one of

Anna Maria Lane wasn’t looking to make a statement — she was fighting to survive and stand by her husband. Disguised as a man, she battled through the Revolutionary War, earning a rare pension and a place in history. Her name is finally resurfacing 250 years later.

Mercy Otis Warren wasn’t just a military wife—she was a revolutionary with a pen as mighty as any musket. Her bold writings shaped public opinion, challenged leaders, and gave voice to women in a war for independence. As the first female historian of the American Revolution, her legacy reminds us that military spouses don’t just support history—they write it. #MercyOtisWarren #HomefrontArchives

I explore untold stories in military history—especially the overlooked roles of military spouses. As a veteran, spouse, historian, and museum curator, my journey led me to uncover how women shaped strategy, logistics, and legacy. Through research, writing, and relentless curiosity, I’m reframing what—and who—counts in military history. It’s time to move military spouses from the footnotes to the front lines of our historical record.