Schools

Women & the Civil War A Winner For Los Altos High Student

Elizabeth Robertson took second prize in the 2012 essay contest, by highlighting the little-known role of women in the Civil War.

 

Women were "the other army" in Elizabeth Robertson's award-winning essay that fetched second place in the 2012 Civil War Essay Contest of the Gilder Lehrman Institute.

The student's “The Union's ‘Other Army’" tackled "the little-known or appreciated role of women during the war," said Anthony Napoli, Director of Education at the Gilder Lehrman Institute, based in New York City.

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The contest was designed to "enhance knowledge of the Civil War era," and "rewards outstanding research and writing skills," according to its news release. There were 184 high school student entries and 48 middle school student entries from 75 schools across the country. 

“Elizabeth points out that the USSC (United States Sanitary Commission) raised $50 million ($1 billion in today's currency) to provide goods and funds for the war effort,” Napoli said, referring to the civil organization founded in part by the first woman to get a medical degree in the U.S.

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Abraham Suriel, of Yonkers International Baccalaureate Middle/High School in Yonkers, N.Y., won first place for his essay,  “Private Citizens: Government Behind Closed Doors.” He also won $1,000 and his school received $500.

Robertson won $750 for her essay. 

“Ms. Robertson provides a well-researched essay and directly contributes to enrichment of women's history," Napoli said.

The Gilder Lehrman Institute joins the Civil War Round Table of New York to co-sponsor the 14th annual essay contest for Gilder Lehrman Affiliate School students, according to its news release: Students examine the nation’s most divisive conflict through letters, speeches, songs, photographs, newspapers, military orders and other documents, conducting research with primary as well as secondary sources. Winners were selected by a panel of jurors based on use of primary sources; clearness and originality of thesis; organization of the essay; correct documentation of sources; and quality of writing.

Students are eligible to enter if they attend an Gilder Lehrman Institute "Affiliate School." Affiliate schools, such as Los Altos High School, Mountain View High School, Monta Vista High School, for example have applied to become members and receive access to teaching materials, documents, teacher seminars, museum-quality traveling exhibitions and other benefits. 


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