Sampson was born in Plympton, Massachusetts. In her youth, her father abandoned the family, and she was sent into care at family members and later to work as a servant. Even though she didn’t get any formal education, she learned to read, and at the age of 18, she worked as a teacher, as a skilled weaver and a light carpenter. When Sampson was 22 years old, during the American Revolutionary War, she decided to join the (male-only) army. She cut her hair, dressed in men’s clothes and called herself Timothy Thayer. This attempt failed when she was recognized by a local resident. Her second try was more successful, and again she cross-dressed and joined as “Robert Shirtliff” to an elite unit that was known for choosing above average tall and strong men. Due to her unusual height (approximately 5 feet 9 inches tall), nobody suspected she’s a woman. Sampson fought in several battles until she got wounded in her thigh by two musket balls and suffered from a cut on her forehead. Even though she didn’t want to be treated, she was taken to a hospital. Out of fear that her secret will be revealed, she left before they attend her thigh and she removed one of the bullets herself. The second one was too deep, and her leg never fully recovered. Her injury didn’t stop her; she continued to serve and was assigned as a General’s waiter. A year later, Sampson became ill, and the doctor who treated her discovered her true gender and identity. Instead of informing the army authorities, he took her to his home, where his wife and daughters took care of her. Sampson served in the army as a man for 17 months. Two years after her release, she got married. They were poor, with four children, couldn’t farm their land and the army withheld her payment because she was a woman, so she had to borrow money from family and friends, one of them was Paul Revere who requested on her behalf the pension she deserved. At the age of 42, in order to make a living, Sampson began giving lectures about her time in the army. In those lectures, she used to go off the stage, change to her uniform and perform complicated military drills. After 33 years of recurring attempts, the Congress approved Sampson’s petition, and she got the money owed her for serving the country. Sampson died at the age of 66 from yellow fever. Only years after her death, she was acknowledged for her bravery and heroism.   Dive deeper into the inspiring story of Deborah Sampson with our fun and engaging printable worksheet! Available now on Etsy and Teachers Pay Teachers. Read more...

Born to a family of peasants in 15th-century Domrémy, France, Joan listened to the voices of saints guiding her to drive the English out of French territories. She followed the calling, an unusual act to her age and gender at these old times, and with determination, she made her way into the French army. At only 17 years old, Joan of Arc led the forces towards victory in the battle for Orleans, followed by more victories. Sadly, after several months on the battlefields, she got captured. She was found guilty of heresy in her trial, and burnt alive in front of thousands of people at the marketplace of Rouen. She was only 19 years old. In 16th century France, she was announced as innocent and became a national heroine. About 500 years later, she was declared and canonized a Roman Catholic Saint by the Pope. Joan d’Arc became a symbol of persistence, determination, fearlessness, and leadership, and due to her gender, she is also a contradiction to the notion of inequality.   Dive deeper into the inspiring story of Joan of Arc with our fun and engaging printable worksheet! Available now on Etsy and Teachers Pay Teachers. Read more...