Five Secret Female Soldiers
When we think of women contributing to the war effort, we naturally have an image of a woman working in armaments, driving ambulances or nursing during the First or Second World War. In reality, women have been serving in the military for centuries, often keeping their identities hidden. Among the earliest and most popular accounts of a female on the frontline is Mulan. The Ballad of Mulan, from some time in the fifth or sixth century, tells the story of a girl who dresses as a man and joins the army. Mulan changed her clothes, cut her hair and disguised her face, fooling her fellow soldiers. Fighting side-by-side for years, they were not aware Mulan was a woman. After years of military campaigns and service to her country, she returned home an accomplished warrior. Though the reality behind her legend is debated, what’s true is that women have been disguising themselves as men for centuries. Here, we look at five women who passed themselves off as men to wage war. Each was on a
